Men at Lunch

Gr 9 Up—In 1932, a photographer captured the image of 11 ironworkers casually enjoying their lunch on a steel girder 57 stories above the bustling Manhattan streets. Entitled "Lunch Atop a Skyscraper," the iconic photograph at the heart of this illuminating documentary chronicles both the urban development of New York City during the Great Depression and the city's immigrant experience. Perched hundreds of feet in the air during the construction of 30 Rockefeller Plaza, these working-class men were an inspiration to many, serving as "motivational poster boys" for the unemployed and underprivileged. Dangerous yet financially rewarding, construction work was primarily a job for immigrants, particularly the Irish, and there was plenty of work to be had if one was willing to risk his life. Despite the recognition of the image by many, the identities of the men, as well as that of the photographer, have remained unknown for more than 80 years. No work papers existed for the job, thus deepening the mystery. This expansive film reveals how recent research into the Rockefeller Center archives has successfully identified two of the men while also putting to rest the rumors that the photograph was a fake. Although the image may possibly have been staged as a publicity stunt, it continues to serve as a visual reminder of New York City's past, both economically and culturally, and the workers responsible for making it the city it is today.—Audrey Sumser, Cuyahoga County Public Library-Mayfield, OH