| Cast overview, first billed only: | |||
| Spencer Tracy | ... | ||
| Fredric March | ... | ||
| Gene Kelly | ... | ||
| Dick York | ... | ||
| Donna Anderson | ... | ||
| Harry Morgan | ... | ||
| Claude Akins | ... | ||
| Elliott Reid | ... | ||
| Paul Hartman | ... |
Bailiff Mort Meeker
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| Philip Coolidge | ... | ||
| Jimmy Boyd | ... | ||
| Noah Beery Jr. | ... | ||
| Norman Fell | ... | ||
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Gordon Polk | ... |
George Sillers
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| Hope Summers | ... |
Mrs. Krebs - Righteous Townswoman
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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>
The pleasure! Spencer Tracy and Frederic March going at each other. Masterfully spot on. As in most works of art, the passing of time adds to its relevance. Very much true in this case. Fanaticism without reason, such an everyday occurrence in our daily 2007 lives. There is nobody more deaf than the one who doesn't want to hear.Spencer Tracy personifies the truth, everything he utters is immediately believable. The cross examination of Frederic March is a classic on his own. The only discording notes are: the presence of Gene Kelly - very distracting indeed -and Claude Aikens in a way over the top performance. The way the trial is shot reminded me of the brilliant blocking of another Stanley Kramer film with Acting Giants And Relevant Themes "Judgement At Neuremberg" If you haven' seen "Inherit The Wind" do so, if you have, see it again and share the experience with your kids. I highly recommend it.