Inherit the Wind (1960)

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.

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers:

Nedrick Young (screenplay), Harold Jacob Smith (screenplay),

Stars:

Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
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	...	Rev. Jeremiah Brown
Elliott Reid	...	Prosecutor Tom Davenport
Paul Hartman	...	Bailiff Mort 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

Storyline

Teacher B.T. Cates is arrested for teaching Darwin's theories. Famous lawyer Henry Drummond defends him; fundamentalist politician Matthew Brady prosecutes. This is a very thinly disguised rendition of the 1925 "Scopes monkey trial" with debates between Clarence Darrow and William Jennings Bryan taken largely from the transcripts.

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Plot Keywords:

teacher | lawyer | politician | darwin | scopes monkey trial | 

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Taglines:

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

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Genres:

Drama | History

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Certificate:

Approved

Details

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

November 1960 (USA)

Also Known As:

Heredarás el viento

Filming Locations:

Courthouse Square, Backlot, Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

128 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Did You Know?

Trivia

Dick York's final feature film.

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Goofs

During the trial, Gene Kelly hands the defendant a drawing of a stick figure swinging on a gallows. The defendant wrinkles the paper in his hands immediately. The scene changes and the defendant is holding a cup and not the piece of paper.

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Quotes

Townspeople: [singing] We'll hang Bertram Cates to a sour apple tree, we'll hang Bertram Cates to a sour apple tree, we'll hang Bertram Cates to a sour apple tree. Our God is marching on! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Glory Hallelujah! Glory Gory Hallelujah! His truth is marching on. We'll hang Henry Drummond to a sour apple tree, we'll hang Henry Drummond to a sour apple tree, we'll hang Henry Drummond to a sour apple tree, our God is marching on.

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Connections

Referenced in Who Wants to Be a Millionaire: Episode #8.148 (2010)

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Soundtracks

" (Gimme Dat) Old Time Religion"
(uncredited)
Traditional spiritual
Sung by Leslie Uggams at the start of the movie
Reprised often by the Townfolks
Variations included often in the score

User Reviews

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.