Inherit the Wind by Lawrence and Lee

[Jennifer W]

Well, now I just feel silly! I can't believe I never thought of mentioning Inherit the Wind. The reason it is especially silly of me, is because I played Rachel in a college production!

Even before then, it was one of my top 3 favorite plays. It's one of the more tension filled plays I've read, and it has some central themes that are highly important to me: religion and science, separation of church and state, and educational integrity and freedom.

A meaningful play based on the Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925, in which a Tennessee teacher was tried for teaching evolution. The accused was a slight, frightened man who'd deliberately broken the law. His trial was a Roman circus, the chief gladiators being the two great legal giants of the century. Locked in mortal combat, they bellowed & roared imprecations & abuse. The spectators sat uneasily in the sweltering heat with murder in their hearts, barely restraining themselves. America's freedom was at stake.

[Jan C]

It was excellent as is the movie with Spencer Tracy and Fredric March. It doesn't matter how many times I have seen it - I always get captured by it.

[Jill]

I thought that Fredric March was exceptional as Bryan in the fim. Spencer Tracy was superb but I keep comparing his performance as Darrow with that of Orson Welles in "Compulsion" and in my mind, Welles wins.

That trial was one of the trials of the century which usually happens when religion and government meet head to head....and you are correct, it was a circus.

[Jan C]

I don't think I usually compare my Darrows. Welles was good. I also liked Henry Fonda in his one-man show of Darrow which I saw on the stage. I think it was also shown on PBS. As was an excellent production with Kevin Spacey called Darrow.

[Nigeyb]

I'm not familiar with the play however have heard of the trial. The play, and indeed film, sound very worthwhile. I'll investigate further.

Jennifer W wrote: "...a Tennessee teacher was tried for teaching evolution"

Unbelievably (to me) this is still considered controversial in many parts of the USA...

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Creatio...

[Val]

It is not only in the USA, many Saudi and Saudi sponsored schools teach creationism as well.

[Nigeyb]

Really? What a world.


Anyway, thanks for highlighting the play Jennifer, and the film adaptation Jan.

[Jill]

Jan C wrote: "I don't think I usually compare my Darrows. Welles was good. I also liked Henry Fonda in his one-man show of Darrow which I saw on the stage. I think it was also shown on PBS. As was an excellent p..."

I think it was because Welles was so over the top, as was Darrow, that his performance sticks in my mind.

[Jennifer W]

Nigeyb wrote: " Unbelievably (to me) this is still considered controversial in many parts of the USA..."

Oh yeah it is. I remember my high school biology teacher had to preface our section on evolution with a "disclaimer" about how she wasn't saying people had to believe it, but she had to teach it and we were going to learn it. I also remember our (state sponsored/approved, by the way) tests all started questions with "According to the theory of evolution..." I should mention, I live in New York (granted, rural NY), one of the most liberal states in the union...

I haven't read this play since college. Maybe a group read nomination shall be forthcoming... :)

[Jennifer W]

I don't know that I've ever seen another movie with a Darrow character other than this one... hmm. I may have to rectify that.

[Jill]

Jennifer W wrote: "I don't know that I've ever seen another movie with a Darrow character other than this one... hmm. I may have to rectify that."

Try Compulsion based on the novel by Meyer Levin, about the Leopold and Loeb murder of Bobby Franks. Quite well done.

[Bronwyn]

Oh I love Inherit the Wind. It's one of my favorite plays. I have a nonfiction book about the trial I need to read, since I do love the play so much, but haven't yet.

The movie is wonderful too. I admit I first watched it when I was young because the Scopes character is played by Dick York, my preferred Darrin on Bewitched. :)

[Roisin]

Must try to get hold of a copy. There is quite a frightening video of Richard Dawkins visiting a religious school here in the UK and discusses evolution and creationism. The young people's responses and lack of education on the subject is quite shocking.

[Jennifer W]

Jill wrote: "Jennifer W wrote: "I don't know that I've ever seen another movie with a Darrow character other than this one... hmm. I may have to rectify that."

Try Compulsion based on the novel by Meyer Levin,..."

I'll look into it. I read the Leopold and Loeb non-fiction group read a while ago and liked it. Thanks!

[Jennifer W]

Bronwyn wrote: "Oh I love Inherit the Wind. It's one of my favorite plays. I have a nonfiction book about the trial I need to read, since I do love the play so much, but haven't yet. ..."

Do you remember the name of the non-fiction book? I'm sure I'd like to read it.

[Bronwyn]

Jennifer W wrote: "Bronwyn wrote: "Oh I love Inherit the Wind. It's one of my favorite plays. I have a nonfiction book about the trial I need to read, since I do love the play so much, but haven't yet. ..."

Do you r..."

Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial & America's Continuing Debate over Science & Religion. :) I was supposed to read it in grad school and ran out of time.