“Men working on the river would move in time to the beat of the music. It was everywhere: on the street, in the church. In the tonks and barrel-houses where people went to be together. Like the beating of a big heart. It gave everyone a good feeling.”
The Cradle is Rocking is a delightful 12-minute film that, though somewhat damaged (Folkstreams has found what may be the only surviving print), is highly recommended viewing for anyone interested in American roots music: in this case, New Orleans jazz. The film’s thoughtful and affable narrator is trumpeter George “Kid Sheik” Cola. This full length version of the 12 minute film shows the damage on the only print available. The film was directed by Frank DeCola who died in the early 1970s. Frank was a talented filmmaker and composer and was enlisted in a program run by George Stevens Jr. during the Kennedy years. That program sponsored young filmmakers to make films for the United States Information Service, for showing abroad in USIA libraries. Tom Davenport was the cameraman on the project and it was shot in B&W 35mm film. Anthony Loeb was the producer. This print is from Tom Davenport’s collection and as you see, it is in bad shape.
Folkstreams is a national preserve of documentary films about American roots cultures streamed with essays about the traditions and filmmaking. The site includes transcriptions, study and teaching guides, suggested readings, and links to related websites.
