From The Spanish Earth (1937) to Danton’s Death (1939)

Abstract

This chapter covers Blitzstein’s work on the film score to Joris Ivens’ The Spanish Earth (about the Spanish Civil War) with Virgil Thomson; his involvement with The Arrow Press; his radio opera, I’ve Got the Tune, which featured in its premiere himself in the starring role along with Shirley Booth and Lotte Lenya; his contribution to the union revue, Pins and Needles; his involvement with the American Communist Party, the Theatre Arts Committee, and Cabaret TAC; and his scores for Orson Welles and John Houseman’s Mercury Theatre, including Julius Caesar and Danton’s Death.