Inherit the Wind (1960)

Director:

Stanley Kramer

Writers (WGA):

Jerome Lawrence (play) and
Robert E. Lee (play) ...
(more)

Release Date:

1 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:

Heavenly Hills | Speech | Prayer | Street Vendor | Father Daughter Relationship

Awards:

Nominated for 4 Oscars. Another 2 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	...	Deputy Horace Meeker - Bailiff
Philip Coolidge	...	Mayor Jason Carter
Jimmy Boyd	...	Howard - Biology Student
Noah Beery Jr.	...	John Stebbins
Norman Fell	...	WGN Radio Technician
Gordon Polk	...	George Sillers - Juror Accepted
Hope Summers	...	Mrs. Krebs - Righteous Townswoman
Ray Teal	...	Jessie H. Dunlap - Farmer Excused from Jury
Renee Godfrey	...	Mrs. Stebbins
Florence Eldridge	...	Sarah Brady
rest of cast listed alphabetically:
Jack Daly	...	Eskimo Pie Vendor in Courtroom (uncredited)
Richard Deacon	...	Juror / Court Gallery (uncredited)
Lester Dorr	...	Doctor John (uncredited)
George Dunn	...	Banker - Critic at City Meeting (uncredited)
Donald Elson	...	Bollinger (uncredited)
Sam Harris	...	Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Earle Hodgins	...	Dr. Britton's Tonic Spieler with Chimp (uncredited)
Wendell Holmes	...	Undetermined Role (uncredited)
Frank Mills	...	Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Robert Osterloh	...	Sam - Deputy Arresting Cates (uncredited)
Bob Perry	...	Courtroom Reporter (uncredited)
'Snub' Pollard	...	Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Addison Richards	...	Reporter at Dinner Table (uncredited)
Harry Tenbrook	...	Courtroom Extra (uncredited)
Charles Wagenheim	...	Hotel Clerk (uncredited)
Will Wright	...	Bible Salesman (uncredited)

Directed by
Stanley Kramer

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

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		(as Stalmaster-Lister)
Lynn Stalmaster		(as Stalmaster-Lister)

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

Art Department
Art Cole	....	property master

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
Reverend Thomas R. Marshall	....	technical advisor (as The Reverend Thomas R. Marshall)
Herman Shumlin	....	stage director
Herman Shumlin	....	stage producer

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)
• CBS/Fox Home Video (1985) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (2001) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2004) (Germany) (DVD)
• MGM Home Entertainment (2007) (USA) (DVD)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (VHS)
• MGM/UA Home Entertainment (????) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)

Special Effects

• Film Effects of Hollywood

Other Companies

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

Runtime:

128 min

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Color:

Black and White

Aspect Ratio:

1.66 : 1

Sound Mix:

Mono (Westrex Recording System)

Certification:

USA:PG (re-rating) | USA:Approved | West Germany:12 | UK:U | Australia:G | Canada:PG (video rating) | Finland:K-8 | Sweden:11

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:

Henry Drummond: The Bible is a book. It's a good book, but it is not the only book.

Movie Connections:

Featured in Expelled: No Intelligence Allowed (2008)

Soundtrack:

(Give Me That) Old Time Religion

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.