Review of Cradle Will Rock (1999) by Brendan N — 13 Mar 2012

No. This is NOT The Hand That Rocks the Cradle. Tim Robbins' film is based on the actual events surrounding the WPA Federal Theater Project's production of The Cradle Will Rock by Marc Blitzstein, which was directed by Orson Welles and produced by John Houseman. The play was a pro-labor musical in the style Kurt Weil and Bertolt Brecht. During the heart of the Great Depression the production took place amid a growing Red Scare (communism), fascism, unions, and the increasing power of Hitler and Mussolini. The film also recounts the battle over a mural in Rockefeller Center between painter Diego Rivera and Nelson Rockefeller. While the film does takes liberties with many events, it still manages to present an accurate picture of the political and artistic forces at work during this period. Robbins manages to make an excellent commentary on the relationship between art, power and finance both then and now.

Best Quotes:

(Orson Welles to John Houseman) "Oh fine, Jack! You win, you've got the biggest creative dick, okay? ".

Congressman: "You are quoting from this Marlowe. Is he a Communist?".

Hallie Flanagan: "I am very sorry. I was quoting from Christopher Marlowe.".

Congressman: "Tell us who Marlowe is, so we can get the proper reference, because that is all we want to do.".

Hallie Flanagan: "Put in the record that he was the greatest dramatist in the period immediately preceding Shakespeare.".

Bertolt Brecht: "But where are the artists? Artists are the worst whores of all!".

Diego Rivera: "You're a piece of work. A Jewish fascist!".

Margherita Sarfatti: "And you're a rich communist!".