Inherit the Wind (1960)
Inherit the Wind is a very special movie in my household. I’d seen it a few times before giving it to my brother as a gift, and by that time, the entire family enjoyed watching it. The first time I showed it to my mom, she asked thirty minutes in, “When’s Fredric March going to show up?” “He’s right there,” I answered, pointing to the only man on the screen. “But where’s Fredric March?” she asked again. As familiar as she was with his work, she still didn’t recognize him in this movie. Not only is his face unrecognizable, but his accent and manner of speaking is completely different than how he’s ever talked in any other movie. Now here’s the punchline: he wasn’t nominated for an Oscar that year. Fredric March’s performance in Inherit the Wind is not only one of the greatest Oscar snubs of all time, it’s one of the greatest screen performances of all time.
It’s absolutely impossible when you watch this movie to accept the fact that Fredric March didn’t win an Oscar, let alone wasn’t even nominated. Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized recounting of the Scopes Monkey Trial, and almost the entire film takes place in the courtroom, with Spencer Tracy and Fredric March butting heads. Spencer Tracy’s part could have been played by anyone. It’s by far the easier role to play; he may have passionate speeches to deliver, but he doesn’t have to build a complex, layered character whose convictions are just as important as his public image. Spence doesn’t even do a particularly good job delivering his passionate speeches; as usual, it seems like he had a cold and the best he could do was remember his lines and say them somewhat intelligibly. Freddie is incredible. Freddie is the reason to watch the movie, and there’s a good chance you won’t even recognize him!
In case you’re not familiar with the Scopes trial, this is a movie that debates the legality of teaching evolution in the classroom. Dick York plays the teacher who dared to go against the community’s beliefs, Donna Anderson plays Dick’s weak girlfriend torn between him and her father, the minister, and Gene Kelly plays the cynical reporter on the sidelines. Obviously, I highly recommend this movie, but if the subject matter is off-putting, you probably won’t like it. To me, this is a wonderfully entertaining classic that’s just as enjoyable the first, second, and tenth time I watch it. As soon as Leslie Uggams sings “Gimme Dat Old Time Religion” in the opening credits, I know I’m in for two hours of chilling goosebumps, masterfully directed by Stanley Kramer.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fredric March movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1988's Inherit the Wind here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1999's Inherit the Wind here!
It’s absolutely impossible when you watch this movie to accept the fact that Fredric March didn’t win an Oscar, let alone wasn’t even nominated. Inherit the Wind is a fictionalized recounting of the Scopes Monkey Trial, and almost the entire film takes place in the courtroom, with Spencer Tracy and Fredric March butting heads. Spencer Tracy’s part could have been played by anyone. It’s by far the easier role to play; he may have passionate speeches to deliver, but he doesn’t have to build a complex, layered character whose convictions are just as important as his public image. Spence doesn’t even do a particularly good job delivering his passionate speeches; as usual, it seems like he had a cold and the best he could do was remember his lines and say them somewhat intelligibly. Freddie is incredible. Freddie is the reason to watch the movie, and there’s a good chance you won’t even recognize him!
In case you’re not familiar with the Scopes trial, this is a movie that debates the legality of teaching evolution in the classroom. Dick York plays the teacher who dared to go against the community’s beliefs, Donna Anderson plays Dick’s weak girlfriend torn between him and her father, the minister, and Gene Kelly plays the cynical reporter on the sidelines. Obviously, I highly recommend this movie, but if the subject matter is off-putting, you probably won’t like it. To me, this is a wonderfully entertaining classic that’s just as enjoyable the first, second, and tenth time I watch it. As soon as Leslie Uggams sings “Gimme Dat Old Time Religion” in the opening credits, I know I’m in for two hours of chilling goosebumps, masterfully directed by Stanley Kramer.
Want to watch it? Click here to watch it on ok.ru. And thanks "Classic Cinema Central Seleus B" for posting!
More Fredric March movies here!
More Spencer Tracy movies here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1988's Inherit the Wind here!
Be sure to check out Hot Toasty Rag's review of 1999's Inherit the Wind here!