NYPR Archives & Preservation
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NYPR Archives & Preservation
The Story of John Henry on What Good is Art?
WPA radio drama on the legend of John Henry, 'the steel driving man.' based on Fred Becker WPA woodcuts.
A dramatization of the legend of John Henry produced by the WPA Graphic Arts Division, the Federal Art Project and the Federal Theater Radio Division. The program is based on the nine Fred Becker woodcuts portraying John Henry. Program 8 in the What Good is Art? series. The radio play was written by Harold Hartogensis and includes songs associated with the mythic Black hero. The African-American actor Thomas Anderson directed this edition of the Federal Theatre Radio Division production.
What Good is Art ran from December 7, 1938 to March 15, 1939 with 13 episodes.