It's a drama about theatre life in the 1930s during the times of the Great Depression, the Red Scare (communism), fascism, unions, Hitler, Mussolini, New York businessman Nelson Rockefeller, director Orson Welles, painter Diego Rivera, and William Randolph Hearst. This film focuses on the lives of several people during hard times in New York as many struggle to find their place in America. The main focus of the film is a play entitled "Cradle Will Rock," which tells a pro-union story about lower class workers trying to survive in a growing power-hungry world.

Director Tim Robbins co-wrote the song "Cobbler in Despair" and co-produced the song "Croon Spoon". "Croon Spoon" was sung by Susan Sarandon and Eddie Vedder from the rock group Pearl Jam.

John Houseman:
As the producer, I can fire anybody I want, and I am fucking fired!

Continuity: When Tommy Crickshaw and Hazel Huffman are discussing communism, the camera shot from behind Crickshaw shows his hand in a fist, cut to the next shot facing him, his hand is stretched out.

Written by Marc Blitzstein
Performed by Erin Hill and Daniel Jenkins (as Dan Jenkins)
Courtesy of RCA Records