Awake And Sing (1972)

Set in The Bronx during the depression years, the matriarch (Ruth Storey) of a Jewish family attempts to hold her family together. But her constant manipulation chafes her elderly father (Leo Fuchs) who has Socialist leanings, her daughter (Felicia Farr) and son (Robert Lipton). Based on the 1935 play by Clifford Odets (originally produced by the Group Theatre) and directed by Norman Lloyd and Robert Hopkins. Considered one of the major playwrights of his generation, Odets' plays don't have the timeliness of a Eugene O'Neill or Tennessee Williams. His political viewpoints permeate his works which tends to render his plays of their time. The family in the play suffer from being victims of a "capitalist" society where money is the goal and the dreamers in the family are chastised by the mother who is concerned with security and respectability, two things that can be bought with money. Although the play creaks a bit, it holds up fairly well. There may not be a depression but poverty is still with us and people still have money problems which may account for it being one of Odets most revived plays (its Broadway revival won a Tony in 2006). The ensemble acting is quite good. With Walter Matthau, Martin Ritt (yes, the director), Ron Rifkin and Milton Selzer.