It Can't Happen Here, Des Moines, IA, 1937. Creator: Unknown

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It Can't Happen Here, Des Moines, IA, 1937. Creator: Unknown

It Can't Happen Here, Des Moines, IA, 1937. The Federal Theater presents Sinclair Lewis "It Can't Happen Here" - President Theatre...'. Play adapted from a dystopian political novel about the rise of a US dictator, by Sinclair Lewis. The Federal Theatre Project, created by the U.S. Works Progress Administration in 1935, was designed to conserve and develop the skills of theater workers, re-employ them on public relief, and to bring theater to thousands in the United States who had never before seen live theatrical performances

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Media ID 36269609

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Administration Works Progress Clenched Fist Cultural Event Dictatorship Dystopian Fascism Federal Theatre Project Fist Hand Harry Sinclair Lewis Jack Moffitt John C John C Moffitt Lewis Harry Sinclair Lewis Sinclair Moffitt Moffitt Jack Moffitt John C New Deal Playbill Prophetic Show Sinclair Lewis Stage Show Tyranny Works Progress Administration Graphic Design Playhouse

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> North America > United States of America > Related Images

> Popular Themes > Politics

EDITORS COMMENTS
This photograph captures the essence of a pivotal moment in American cultural history. The image, titled "It Can't Happen Here, Des Moines, IA, 1937," showcases a playbill for a production of Sinclair Lewis' dystopian novel "It Can't Happen Here," presented by the Federal Theatre Project in Des Moines, Iowa. The Federal Theatre Project, an initiative of the Works Progress Administration (WPA), was established in 1935 to conserve and develop theater skills, re-employ theater workers, and bring live theatrical performances to communities across the United States. The playbill's design is both striking and prophetic. The title, "The Federal Theater presents Sinclair Lewis' 'It Can't Happen Here,'" is written in bold, capitalized letters, with the subtitle, "A Play in Three Acts," appearing below. A clenched fist, symbolizing resistance and defiance, is illustrated in the upper right corner. The image of a soldier, possibly representing the novel's fictional dictator, is depicted in the lower left corner, his hand raised in a salute. The play's title and author's name, "Sinclair Lewis," are written in elegant script, while the name of the theater, "President Theatre," is displayed in bold, capitalized letters. The photograph serves as a poignant reminder of the power of art to reflect and challenge societal norms. The Federal Theatre Project's production of "It Can't Happen Here" was not only a cultural event but also a political statement, as the novel's themes of fascism, tyranny, and the rise of a US dictator were particularly relevant during the 1930s, a time when the country was grappling with economic instability and political unrest. This photograph is a testament to the enduring importance of the arts in American society and the role they play in sparking important conversations and inspiring change.

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