Five Films About The Labor Movement

Winnefred Ann Frolik
/ September 5, 2016
/ Playing

It’s often forgotten in the whirlwind of grilled hot dogs and sparklers but Labor Day was originally meant to celebrate well…labor and the hard working folks who perform it. So this year along with the mandatory barbecue and fireworks show, consider brushing up on the history of the workers movement with one of the following films. (And remember to tip your server!)

The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Directed by John Ford and based on John Steinbeck’s masterpiece, The Grapes of Wrath recounts the story of the Joad family. After losing their farm in Oklahoma during the Great Depression, the Joads make an arduous journey across the west to California where they become migrant workers-and find their troubles have just begun. Starring Henry Fonda and John Carradine, it was nominated for seven Academy Awards and won two including Best Supporting Actress for Jane Darwell as Ma Joad and Best Director for Ford. It’s also widely considered one of the best movies ever made.

How Green Was My Valley (1941) Based on the Richard Llewellyn novel of the same name, this is the epic chronicle of the Morgan family. The Morgans are a hard scrabble close knit clan living in South Wales where the family members work in the coalfields. Over time disputes between the mine’s owners and workers as well as environmental despoliation from the coalfields tear apart the family and destroy the once idyllic village in which they’ve lived. It was nominated for ten Academy Awards and won five including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Cinematography, and Best Supporting Actor.

Norma Rae (1979) Based on the true story of Crystal Lee Sutton, Norma Rae tells how its title character (played by the indomitable Sally Field) becomes a union organizer at the local textiles firm after her health and that of her co-workers is compromised. It was nominated for four Academy Awards and won two including Best Original Song and Best Actress; prompting Field’s immortal “You like me! You really like me!” acceptance speech for her second Oscar win for Places in the Heart. That quote was, in fact, a reference to dialogue in Norma Rae.

Silkwood (1983) Written by Nora Ephron and Alice Arlen, directed by Mike Nichols (Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf? The Graduate) and starring Meryl Streep, Cher, and Kurt Russell, inspired by the life of Karen Silkwood. Silkwood was a nuclear whistleblower and union activist who died under extremely suspicious circumstances at the same time she was investigating alleged criminal behavior the plutonium plant where she worked. Silkwood was nominated for five Academy awards including Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, Best Director, and Best Original Screenplay

Made in Dagenham (2010) Directed by Nigel Cole (Calendar Girls, Saving Grace) Made in Dagenham tells the true story of the Ford Sewing Machinists strike in 1968. The strike was prompted by sexual discrimination against its female employees who demanded equal pay. Starring Sally Hawkins, Bob Hoskins, Miranda Richardson, and Rosamund Pike it was nominated for four BAFTA awards including best supporting actress for Richardson and Outstanding British Film.

Top photo: Bigstock

Share This Post:

Related Articles: Playing

Playing

Celebrate Graham 100 at New York Public Library for the Performing Arts

Be a part of the Martha Graham Dance Company Centennial Celebration. The New York Public Library for the Performing Arts at Lincoln Center is now presenting the exhibition, Martha Graham: The Mother of Psychological Dance.

Playing

Netflix’s Legends – A Group of Amateurs Go Undercover to Bring Down Two Drug Gangs in Britain

In the early 1990s, Margaret Thatcher’s government was in trouble. Illegal drugs were pouring into the country. With Her Majesty’s Customs and Excise having failed to stem the flood across the border, ordinary people were…

Playing

Netflix’s Remarkably Bright Creatures Brings Shelby Van Pelt’s Touching Novel to the Screen

Sally Field has made a career out of playing mothers in films (“Forest Gump,” “Steel Magnolias,” and “Mrs. Doubtfire.”) She scores again in “Remarkably Bright Creatures,” playing Tova, a widow who has never recovered from…

Playing

The Sheep Detectives – A Family Film for All to Enjoy

I finally may become a vegetarian, at least where lamb is concerned.

Playing

Jo Nesbó’s Detective Hole – A Serial Killer Terrorizes Oslo

One of the best mystery writers in the world now has an intriguing series streaming on Netflix. But one caution: Jo Nesbó’s “Detective Hole” is not for the faint of heart. But it will keep…

Playing

The Occupied City: New York and the American Revolution

New York City was the epi-center of the American Revolution. In the run up to the 250th anniversary of the revolution, the Museum of the City of New York presents a new exhibition celebrating the…

Hospitality Spotlight: Brenda L. Torres – Chef

Marina P. Kennedy June 14, 2026

Brenda L. Torres, Chef at The Cloud One Hotel New York-Downtown Deli in the FIDI area, has spent most of her career working her way up through the culinary industry, beginning as a line cook and advancing into leadership roles through hard work, dedication, and a passion for hospitality.

The Girls Weekend Guide – How to Plan, Pack, and Travel Together

Contributed June 13, 2026

Girls weekend is more than a short trip. It is a chance to pause busy routines, laugh with friends, enjoy good food, explore somewhere new, and create stories you will talk about for years. Whether the plan is a city break, spa escape, beach trip, wine weekend, shopping getaway, or birthday celebration, the best trips happen when the group is organized before leaving home. A little planning can make the weekend feel easy instead of

The Self-Care Checklist Every Woman Should Actually Have

Debra Toppeta June 13, 2026

When most of us hear “self-care,” we picture candles, face masks, and a long bath. None of that is wrong — rest matters. But it’s not what the evidence says actually protects a woman’s health over a lifetime. The habits that genuinely move the needle tend to be quieter, less photogenic, and far easier to put off. So here’s a different kind of checklist. Every item below is anchored to a specific figure from a

What to Know Before Filing a Dog Bite Claim

Contributed June 13, 2026

Dog bites can cause puncture wounds, crush injuries, infection, and lasting scarring, plus anxiety around animals. Before a claim begins, it helps to know what facts matter, which deadlines apply, and how insurers evaluate harm. Clear records support medical follow-up and protect families from avoidable disputes. The sections below outline practical steps for people in Pennsylvania after a bite. Get Medical Care and Start a Record Emergency care comes first. Clinicians document puncture depth, bruising

Black and White Dresses

Contributed June 12, 2026

Some fashion combinations never lose their appeal, and black and white remains one of the most timeless pairings in any wardrobe. Whether showcased through bold prints, elegant florals, graphic patterns, or simple color blocking, black-and-white dresses have a way of looking polished without requiring much effort. The contrast creates visual interest while remaining versatile enough for everything from daytime outings and office wear to cocktail parties and special occasions. It’s a color combination that consistently

Drop Waist Dresses are Perfect for Summer

Contributed June 12, 2026

Fashion trends have a way of making unexpected returns, and the drop waist dress is a perfect example. Once associated with the glamorous styles of the 1920s, this silhouette has found a place in today’s wardrobes thanks to its flattering shape and effortless elegance. By lowering the waistline below its traditional position, these dresses create a longer visual line that can make the body appear taller and leaner. Designers have embraced the look in a

You've loaded all available articles in this category