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TIME: Almanac of the 20th Century
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TIME, Almanac of the 20th Century.ISO
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1930
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30sing
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1994-02-27
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<text>
<title>
(1930s) Awake And Sing!
</title>
<history>
TIME--The Weekly Newsmagazine--1930s Highlights
Theater
</history>
<article>
<source>Time Magazine</source>
<hdr>
Awake and Sing!
</hdr>
<body>
<p>(March 4, 1935)
</p>
<p> Awake and Sing! by Clifford Odets is an earnest investigation
of the home life of a family of Bronx Jews. The burden of
Playwright Odets' Lament is that the Bergers and their friends
would not be so wretched if it were not for the crushing tyranny
of the capitalist system. Grandfather Berger, an old Marxist,
would not be compelled to jump off the roof in despair. Daughter
Hennie would not have to marry a simpleton after Moe Axelrod,
the embittered disabled veteran, gives her a baby. Son Ralph
would not have to pine for the sweetheart and sport shoes he
cannot possess on his $16-a-week salary.
</p>
<p> Admirably acted, carefully produced and for the most part
intelligently and honestly written, Awake and Sing! seems to
have unexpectedly backfired on Playwright Odets. His triumphal
ending, with Brother Ralph profiting by Grandfather's insurance
and Sister Hennie and Axelrod running away to Bermuda on his
pension, depends ironically on two prime financial usufructs of
the economic system which Playwright Odets has spent two hours
brow-beating.</p>
</body>
</article>
</text>