Inherit the Wind (1960)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers (WGA):

Nedrick Young (screenplay) (originally as Nathan E. Douglas) and
Harold Jacob Smith (screenplay) ...

Release Date:

November 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History | Romance

Tagline:

It's all about the monkey trial that rocked America.

Plot:

Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution.

Plot Keywords:

Lawyer | Teacher | Evolution | William Jennings Bryan | Politician

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

Spencer Tracy	...	Henry Drummond
Fredric March	...	Matthew Harrison Brady
Gene Kelly	...	E. K. Hornbeck
Dick York	...	Bertram T. Cates
Donna Anderson	...	Rachel Brown
Harry Morgan	...	Judge Mel Coffey
Claude Akins	...	Reverend Jeremiah Brown
Elliott Reid	...	Prosecutor Tom Davenport
Paul Hartman	...	Bailiff Horace Meeker
Philip Coolidge	...	Mayor Jason Carter
Jimmy Boyd	...	Howard
Noah Beery Jr.	...	John Stebbins
Norman Fell	...	WGN Radio Technician
Gordon Polk	...	George Sillers
Hope Summers	...	Mrs. Krebs - Righteous Townswoman

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Colour:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #19499) | USA:PG (re-rating) | West Germany:12 | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Australia:G | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11

Company:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Trivia:

In the scene where Drummond (Spencer Tracy) tells the story of his rocking horse "Golden Dancer" to Brady (Fredric March), they are sitting in rocking chairs on the porch of the boarding house. The actors are both rocking their chairs but are never in sync with each other to emphasize their differences of opinion.

Goofs:

Continuity: The signage on the buildings shown through the windows behind the judge's bench changes from day to day during the trial (i.e. the "hot and cold" sign).

Quotes:

Matthew Harrison Brady: But your client is wrong. He is deluded. He has lost his way.
Henry Drummond: It's a shame we don't all possess your positive knowledge of what is right and what is wrong, Mr. Brady.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Mystery Science Theater 3000: The Phantom Planet (#10.2)" (1998)

Soundtrack:

Battle Hymn of the Republic

Brilliant - One of the finest movies ever made

This movie is well acted both March and Tracy perform remarkably. The story line depicts how ignorance and blind faith can generate a mob mentality. It beautifully reflects the social values of the time and depicts very well the attitudes of the time in which the movie was set. Like 12 angry men, it has simple sets and gives hope to the notion that not only can movies be educational and entertaining, there are producers that care about making a meaningful statement using a plot and acting to entertain.