In nineteen thirty-seven, American playwright Clifford Odets wrote a play called "The Golden Boy."

VOA: special.2010.06.06

Odets' popular early plays promoted social justice, including "Waiting for Lefty, " and "Awake and Sing!"

WSJ: Review: Fame cuts both ways in 'The Big Knife'

Clooney and company could have used Sturges or, even better, Clifford Odets when it came to rewrites.

NEWYORKER: Primary Suspect

Doug Hughes stages repeated dynamic moments during the period drama, smartly retaining much of Odets' stilted yet colorful dialogue.

WSJ: Review: Fame cuts both ways in 'The Big Knife'