Inherit the Wind (1960)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers (WGA):

Nedrick Young (screenplay) (originally as Nathan E. Douglas) and
Harold Jacob Smith (screenplay) ...
(more)

Release Date:

November 1960 (USA)

Genre:

Drama | History

Tagline:

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

Plot:

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.

Plot Keywords:

Teacher | Lawyer | Politician | Darwin | Scopes Monkey Trial

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 3 wins & 7 nominations

Cast

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
Ray Teal	...	Jessie H. Dunlap
Renee Godfrey	...	Mrs. Stebbins
Florence Eldridge	...	Sarah Brady
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Gail Bonney	...	Fundamentalist Woman (uncredited)
Jack Daly	...	Eskimo Pie Vendor in Courtroom (uncredited)
Lester Dorr	...	Dr. John (uncredited)
Donald Elson	...	Bollinger (uncredited)
Duke Fishman	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
David Fresco	...	Threatening Spectator (uncredited)
Sam Harris	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Earle Hodgins	...	Dr. Britton's Tonic Spieler with Chimp (uncredited)
Wendell Holmes	...	Banker - Critic at City Meeting (uncredited)
Colin Kenny	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Thomas Martin	...	Reporter in Courtroom (uncredited)
Harp McGuire	...	Harry Esterbrook (uncredited)
Frank Mills	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Robert Osterloh	...	Sam - Deputy Arresting Cates (uncredited)
Stephen Paylow	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Bob Perry	...	Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)
Joe Ploski	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
'Snub' Pollard	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Bert Stevens	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Hal Taggart	...	Juror (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook	...	Courtroom Spectator (uncredited)
Charles Wagenheim	...	Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Justice Watson	...	Hillsboro Salesman (uncredited)
Will Wright	...	Bible Salesman (uncredited)

Directed by
Stanley Kramer

Writing credits (WGA)
Nedrick Young		(screenplay) originally as Nathan E. Douglas and
Harold Jacob Smith		(screenplay)
Jerome Lawrence		(play) and
Robert E. Lee		(play)

Produced by
Stanley Kramer	....	producer

Original Music by
Ernest Gold

Cinematography by
Ernest Laszlo		(photographed by)

Film Editing by
Frederic Knudtson

Casting by
James Lister		(uncredited)
Lynn Stalmaster		(uncredited)

Production Design by
Rudolph Sternad

Makeup Department
Larry Germain	....	hair stylist
Bud Westmore	....	makeup artist

Production Management
Clem Beauchamp	....	production manager

Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Ivan Volkman	....	assistant director
Leonard Kunody	....	second assistant director (uncredited)

Art Department
Art Cole	....	property master
Jack Kirston	....	second property master (uncredited)

Sound Department
Walter Elliott	....	sound editor
Joe Lapis	....	sound engineer

Camera and Electrical Department
Martin Kashuk	....	assistant company grip
Roy Roberts	....	chief gaffer
Morris Rosen	....	company grip
Charles F. Wheeler	....	camera operator (as Charles Wheeler)

Costume and Wardrobe Department
Joe King	....	wardrobe

Other crew
Sam Freedle	....	script supervisor
Anne P. Kramer	....	assistant to producer
Stanley Kramer	....	presenter
Thomas R. Marshall	....	technical advisor (as The Reverend Thomas R. Marshall)
Herman Shumlin	....	stage director
Herman Shumlin	....	stage producer
Harold J. Samelson	....	publicity campaign coordinator (uncredited)

Production Companies

• Stanley Kramer Productions (as Lomitas Productions Inc.)

Distributors

• United Artists (1960) (USA) (theatrical)
• United Artists Corporation (1960) (UK) (theatrical)
• United Artists (1960) (West Germany) (theatrical)
• American Broadcasting Company (ABC) (1963) (USA) (TV)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Video (1991) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• Chapel Distribution (2010) (Australia) (theatrical) (35mm print)
• MGM/UA Home Video (19??) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Special Effects

• Film Effects of Hollywood

Other Companies

• Stalmaster-Lister Co.  casting (as Stalmaster-Lister)

Also Known As:

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

Australia:G | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11 | UK:U | USA:Approved (certificate #19499) | West Germany:12 | USA:TV-PG (TV rating) | Spain:T

Filming Locations:

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

Company:

Stanley Kramer Productions

Trivia:

Robert Vaughn was offered the role of E.K. Hornbeck, in case Gene Kelly turned it down. But he instead opted to make The Magnificent Seven (1960).

Goofs:

Continuity: The signage on the buildings shown through the windows behind the judge's bench changes from day to day during the trial (i.e. the "hot and cold" sign).

Quotes:

Rachel Brown:Don't you see what's happening, Bert? They're using you as a weapon against your own people. What you think or believe isn't the point any more. You're helping something bad.
Henry Drummond:Go on now, young lady, it's not as simple as all that, good or bad, black or white, day or night. Do you know that at the top of the world, the twilight is six months long?
Rachel Brown:Bert and I don't live on the top of the world, we live in Hillsboro. And when the sun goes down, it's dark. And why do you have to come here to make it different?
[...]

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "House M.D.: Small Sacrifices (#7.8)" (2010)

Soundtrack:

We'll Hang Bert Cates to a Sour Apple Tree

If there is such a thing as a perfect movie, this is it.

After recently watching each remake of this film, one can easily appreciate what an incredible film the 1960 version is. It is the perfectly made film and should be held up to all as the pinnacle of film making. It has the perfect director and the perfect actors. It probably has the best behind-the-scenes crew ever assembled including the perfect film editor. The choice of black and white is also perfect. This is one of those few gems where every element of film making came together to make the perfect movie.

The story is very thought provoking from both points of view, the evolutionist and the fundamental Christian. While I am not even close to being a Christian of any kind, I am haunted by the speech given by Matthew Harrison Brady that says how our children will turn into a godless mob with no direction without the teachings of the Bible (paraphrasing). But, isn't that what has happened some 80+ years after the story takes place? The actors effortlessly sell each character's point of view.

There is very little that can be said about Spencer Tracy, Frederick March and Gene Kelly that hasn't already been said. When you see the new version of this film, you can really understand why these actors are held in such high esteem. These guys are actors!

In short, this is one of the finest films ever made and should be seen by everyone.