Screening of Woody Guthrie: Ain’t Got No Home

The Allendale Branch Library concludes its celebration of the life, music, and legacy of the iconic folk singer Woody Guthrie (1912-1967) with a screening of Woody Guthrie: Ain’t Got No Home on Saturday, September 29, at 2:00 p.m.  The screening will be introduced by Ed Cray, Professor of Journalism at the University of Southern California and author of the biography Ramblin’ Man: The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie.  The 90-minute film Woody Guthrie: Ain’t Got No Home was written and directed by Peter Frumkin for the PBS American Masters documentary series, with major contributions from Ed Cray.  The documentary is narrated by Peter Coyote and includes archival footage combined with interviews with Guthrie devotees such as Pete Seeger and Bruce Springsteen.

 A prolific author, Professor Cray is also a renowned expert in biographical writing, American folk culture, and civil liberties.  He has written for the Los Angeles Times, New York Times, Washington Post, The Nation, California History, and the Journal of American Folklore.  In addition to Ramblin’ Man: The Life and Times of Woody Guthrie, Cray has authored 17 books including General of the Army: George C. Marshall, Soldier and Statesman; Chief Justice: A Biography of Earl Warren; The Erotic Muse: American Bawdy Songs; and The Enemy in the Streets: Police Malpractice in America.  Cray joined the School of Journalism faculty as an adjunct instructor in 1976, and is now a tenured professor.  He earned a B.S. degree in anthropology from UCLA in 1957, then spent 18 months as a graduate student studying anthropology, folklore, and ethnomusicology.

            This year marks the centennial of the birth of Woody Guthrie, widely regarded as America’s greatest folk singer.  Blowing out of the Dust Bowl in Depression-era America, he merged traditional songs with politically-charged lyrics to create a new branch of American popular music.  He became the archetype of the singer-songwriter – guitar slung across his shoulder, always on the move.  Woody Guthrie: Ain’t Got No Home explores Guthrie’s life and music as well as some of the lesser known sides of his creative genius.  He wrote, sang, and painted about everything from labor to laundry to love.  Guthrie’s work influenced the folk revival of the ‘50s and ‘60s, and his legacy continues to inspire musicians and activists today.

The Allendale Branch Library is located at 1130 S. Marengo Ave., Pasadena, just south of Glenarm Street and directly across from Blair High School.  Light refreshments will be served.  In addition, there will be a display of Woody Guthrie books and CDs from the various branches of the Pasadena and Glendale Public Libraries; all materials are available for checkout to anyone with a Pasadena or Glendale Public Library card.

For further information, contact the Allendale Branch Library by phone at (626) 744-7260 during library hours (Monday through Thursday, and Saturday, from 10:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.), or e-mail Terry Cannon, Staff Assistant III, at tcannon@cityofpasadena.net