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.
Written by Ed Stephan <stephan@cc.wwu.edu>
When Stanley Kramer offered the role of E.K. Hornbeck to Gene Kelly, Kelly initially turned it down. Kramer told him that his co-stars would be Fredric March and Spencer Tracy, and Kelly changed his mind. This was a risky move on Kramer's part, as he had not yet asked March or Tracy to participate.
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Goofs
Audio/visual unsynchronized:
As Matthew Brady ends his arrival speech to a crowd of supporters on the street, the 'old time religion' song is sung by the throng, but their lips are completely out of sync with the soundtrack.
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Quotes
E. K. Hornbeck:
[about Barry]
He's the only man I know who can strut sitting down. See more »
"(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
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