The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
“Wherever there’s a fight, I’ll be there. Wherever there’s a cop, I’ll be there.” If you actually make it to the point in the movie where Henry Fonda rattles off his big speech, congratulations. The movie is so dismal, and his voice is so irritating, it’s hard to make it through the entire movie all at once.
The only redeeming parts of this classic John Ford drama are the supporting characters. Jane Darwell (rewarded with an Oscar statuette and a Hot Toasty Rag nomination) plays the long-suffering mom. She’s tough and hardened, and has sacrificed her whole life for her family and the farm. I can never make it past her famous packing scene without crying.
Charley Grapewin also gives an impressive, but brief, performance. He plays the grandfather, without his teeth and with a constant palsy. It’s very sad to hear his wobbly voice, but it’s shades of things to come. To see more of a great thing, rent Tobacco Road to see his Rag-winning performance. John Carradine, Ward Bond, and John Qualen are familiar faces, even though the box office draw is Henry Fonda. Had he spent the entire movie in his little cap just enjoying some close-ups, it would have been much better. But, we all know his voice is annoying, and to hear him speak line after line of John Steinbeck drama… Well, it takes a very alert audience member.
If you haven’t seen this classic yet, you’ll probably feel compelled to watch it. But don’t worry if you don’t like it. You’re in good company. Try a different Steinbeck; there are many, many movies to choose from.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thank "Ric Vani" for posting!
More Ward Bond movies here!
The only redeeming parts of this classic John Ford drama are the supporting characters. Jane Darwell (rewarded with an Oscar statuette and a Hot Toasty Rag nomination) plays the long-suffering mom. She’s tough and hardened, and has sacrificed her whole life for her family and the farm. I can never make it past her famous packing scene without crying.
Charley Grapewin also gives an impressive, but brief, performance. He plays the grandfather, without his teeth and with a constant palsy. It’s very sad to hear his wobbly voice, but it’s shades of things to come. To see more of a great thing, rent Tobacco Road to see his Rag-winning performance. John Carradine, Ward Bond, and John Qualen are familiar faces, even though the box office draw is Henry Fonda. Had he spent the entire movie in his little cap just enjoying some close-ups, it would have been much better. But, we all know his voice is annoying, and to hear him speak line after line of John Steinbeck drama… Well, it takes a very alert audience member.
If you haven’t seen this classic yet, you’ll probably feel compelled to watch it. But don’t worry if you don’t like it. You’re in good company. Try a different Steinbeck; there are many, many movies to choose from.
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thank "Ric Vani" for posting!
More Ward Bond movies here!