Features of each listing:
lively and entertaining description
critical commentary
MPAA rating, if available
production details
suggested films of related interest
annotated references for further reading
availability index indicating how readily the film can be obtained, with selected address lists for films that might be harder to locate
The focus of the guide is on popular American films, although foreign films and documentaries are well represented. Films were selected on the basis of recommendations from trade unionists and labor educators within five categories:
films about unions and labor organizations
films about labor history
films about working-class life where an economic factor is important
films about political movements linked to organized labor, such as the Polish film "To Kill a Priest," which is closely tied to the Solidarity Labor Movement
films focused on production or the struggle between labor and capital from an entrepreneurial or management perspective
Zaniello includes a thematic index so that, for example, films dealing with Appalachian workers are listed together. Working Stiffs, Union Maids, Reds, and Riffraff begins with a critical introduction by the author and is illustrated with more than 40 photographs.
