Of Mice and Men (1939)

A mentally disabled giant and his level headed guardian find work at a sadistic cowboy's ranch in depression era America.

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Writers:

John Steinbeck (by), Eugene Solow (screen play)

Stars:

Lon Chaney Jr., Burgess Meredith, Betty Field

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 wins.

Cast

Complete credited cast:
Burgess Meredith	...	George Milton
Betty Field	...	Mae Jackson
Lon Chaney Jr.	...	Lennie Small
Charles Bickford	...	Slim
Roman Bohnen	...	Candy
Bob Steele	...	Curley Jackson
Noah Beery Jr.	...	Whit
Oscar O'Shea	...	Jackson
Granville Bates	...	Carlson
Leigh Whipper	...	Crooks
Helen Lynd	...	Susie

Storyline

George Milton and Lennie Small are migrant workers in the 1930s Depression. Lennie is mentally disabled and George looks after him. While working as hands on a Western ranch, they dream of owning their own ranch and the opportunity may be available. Their current ranch is owned by a sadistic man who has a flirtatious wife.

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Plot Keywords:

rabbit | migrant worker | mercy killing | friendship | male male relationship | 

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Taglines:

Dangerous. To Herself... And To Men!

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Genres:

Drama

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Certificate:

Approved

Did You Know?

Trivia

Lennie was Lon Chaney Jr.'s personal favorite of all his screen roles.

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Goofs

At the beginning, when George and Lennie are being chased, they are running alongside a train, then climbing inside. As they run, the shadow of the camera operator, wearing a cap, is clearly seen against a train car.

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Quotes

Slim: Carlson's right, Candy. That poor dog ain't no good to himself. I wish somebody'd shoot me when I get old and crippled.
Candy: [choked up] Maybe it would hurt him. I don't mind taking care of him.
Carlson: He'd be better off dead. The way I'd shoot him he wouldn't feel nothin'.

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Crazy Credits

The movie begins before the credits are shown. George and Lennie are fleeing a mob. They board a boxcar on a moving train, and as they close the door of the boxcar we see the main title already written on the door of the boxcar.

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Connections

Referenced in Rolling Thunder Revue: A Bob Dylan Story by Martin Scorsese (2019)

User Reviews

Casting, cinematography, direction, this film has it all.

Casting directors rarely get any real credit for what they do but I think, for this film, we must make an exception. The actors, in Of Mice And Men, play thier parts as if they were born into them. Add to this cinematography that is both artistically and technically outstanding and you have a film that truly deserves the term Classic. I believe that this film is a must-see for anyone considering a career as a writer, actor, director or any other area of film making.

Details

Official Sites:

Official site

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

12 January 1940 (USA)

Also Known As:

Of Mice and Men

Filming Locations:

Hal Roach Studios - 8822 Washington Blvd., Culver City, California, USA

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hal Roach Studios

Technical Specs

Runtime:

106 min

Sound Mix:

Mono (Western Electric Mirrophonic Recording)

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.37 : 1