One of the Censored Eleven cartoons that has been out of circulation due to racial stereotypes. A few titles still have some artistic value, chiefly the jazz flavored ones.This short has an interesting censorship history. Before it was originally released in 1937, Joseph Breen, the head of the Hollywood Censor Board, objected to the short's irreverent depiction of religion. One of the guidelines for Hollywood producers was not to portray religion in a disrespectful way. Some historians have suggested that race may have been a factor in this controversy. Nonetheless this short was approved for distribution with some minor changes. Some of the animators for this short later corroborated this account. It is possible that Freleng made this for an African American audience. Phil Monroe later recalled "the only place they'd play that film was down in the Negro section"The problematic parts of this short are the then common stereotypes of African Americans, such as dice and watermelon references. Those felt too arbitrary. The caricature of Stepin Fetchit is cringe worthy to watch, although in this short he represents an old fashioned way of getting people to repent that doesn't work anymore. The redeeming part is Cab Calloway's swinging rendition of Swing For Sale, which also features Louis Armstrong and Fats Waller. I've wondered who performs their voices, because the impressions are very spot on.This is a short with a lot to enjoy, but its no surprise that the cliché stereotypes have kept it out of official circulation.

Was put off seeing 'Clean Pastures' due to its low rating and that it's one of the "Censored 11" cartoons withheld from syndication for being deemed as having offensive content.However, as somebody who also trusted those defending the cartoon, due to them being from people well-respected by myself and also as somebody who has actually enjoyed some of the "Censored 11" cartoons, 'Clean Pastures' got the benefit of the doubt with an open mind treatment. While one can absolutely understand why some would be offended or dislike it now, to me it is one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons.There are "Censored 11" with far more offensive stereotypes, such as 'Angel Puss', 'Hittin' the Trail for Hallelujah Land', 'Jungle Jitters' and 'All This and Rabbit Stew'. There are also far duller ones than 'Clean Pastures', again 'Angel Puss' and 'Hittin' the Trail for 'Hallelujah Land', and ones that forget to entertain like all three of the cartoons just listed as cartoons more offensive.Not that 'Clean Pastures' is perfect. The Steppin Fetchit-like angel character is disastrously executed. Not just because of the character being racially offensive, with an agreed "I hate my race" vibe but the character is also very obnoxious, unfunny, ineptly lazy (which is a common stereotype of the time with the portrayal of black people admittedly, but it is one that's overused, unflattering and to me it's not true either) and poorly drawn. Am not a fan of exaggerated character features usually, and 'Clean Pastures' is not an exception, the big lips for example just look gross and ugly.Most of the animation is very good indeed, much of it is beautifully drawn and meticulously detailed in the backgrounds and vibrant use of colour. The best thing about 'Clean Pastures' is the soundtrack, which is incredibly infectious (jazz is a very catchy and quite sexy style of music) and just an amazing soundtrack on its own. Regarding the issue of racism, only the Steppin Fetchit caricature is in poor taste, compared to the stereotypes of 'Jungle Jitters' for example and considering the context this is one of the tamer "Censored 11" cartoons outside of that character.'Clean Pastures' makes up for this issue by being very entertaining, especially with the soundtrack and recognising the caricatures and their roles in the story, instead of forgetting to entertain like 'Angel Puss' for example did. In fact, it is most in common with 'All This and Rabbit Stew' where there is a character that significantly brings the cartoon down but the cartoon is still very funny and clever, very like 'Clean Pastures'. As well as being one of the most energetic along with 'Coal Black and De Sebben Dwarfs' and 'Goldilocks and the Three Jivin' Bears'. The voice acting is very good.In conclusion, not a bad cartoon at all and one of the better "Censored 11" cartoons. 7/10 Bethany Cox

Merrie Melodies short, directed by Friz Freleng, notable today for being one of the Censored Eleven. For those who don't know, the Censored Eleven are cartoons that were withheld from syndication because they were considered to be too offensive due to their use of racial stereotypes and imagery. Its title is a take on the 1936 film Green Pastures, which was a wonderful movie that told familiar Bible stories with an all-black cast. The story here has angels trying to save the people of Harlem from their sinful ways by using jazz music to lure them to the side of Heaven (called Pair-O-Dice here...get it?). Pretty offensive to many today, this is actually one of the better Censored Eleven cartoons. That's in large part because of the bits of great jazz music that play throughout. The animation is also good for its time, if one can look past the grotesque depictions of black people. Animation buffs and anyone interested in jazz or black culture from the period might want to seek it out. But, for obvious reasons, it's not something your average person will enjoy today.

This cartoon really deserves another chance. People call it racist because of the black stereotypes but did anyone else notice that heaven was being run by blacks? And there were no white people in heaven either. It's not really racist because the jazz musicians they characterized (Calloway, Waller, Gillespie, Lunceford) really did act and talk like that. The music was a show stopper. That shuffling black man in the beginning was just a bit of comedy. But racist? That's a tad harsh. Let's face it, Yosemite Sam and Elmer Fudd were hardly roll models for white people. The music was the main event here. Give this one another chance. Re-release it.