The Dust-Bowl period is effectively evoked, although the loose adaptation is also an inaccurate and fictionalized retelling of history.[Note: Charlie Chaplin""s courageous comedyThe Great Dictator (1940)was similar in its brave, absurdist satirical view of the Nazis and heir leader."They were interrupted by Mr.Shellhammer who urged Kris Kringle with "a few tips on how to be a good Santa Claus" - he was to memorize and push a list of certain overstocked toys on undecided children:Before you go up on the floor, I just want to give you a few tips on how to be a good Santa Claus."We trouped through depression and inflation.Part of the country""s growing pains.We froze in winter and roasted in summer.But it was a good life.It""s a lucky family that dances ogether every day.[The family dances in blackface together.] Eighteen ninety-one found our fortunes flat as a pancake.Then came a bolt from the blue.Jobs for the whole family in a play calledPeck""s Bad Boy.We opened in Brooklyn.The town was noted for its spirited audiences.Even before it had a ball team.At the Brooklyn Theater, a huge billboard reads: "OPENING TONIGHT - The Brooklyn Theatre presents THE COHANS in ""Peck""s Bad Boy"" - A Rolicking Comedy.However, its idyllic view of life and example of personal film-making was overshadowed by the self-absorbent, drug-induced, erratic behavior of the filmmakers, chronicled in Peter Biskind""s ell-allEasy Riders, Raging Bulls: How the Sex-Drugs-and Rock ""N Roll Generation Saved Hollywood (1999).