Inherit the Wind (1960)
Director: Stanley Kramer
Starring: Spencer Tracy, Fredric March, Gene Kelly
Synopsis:
A massive show trial ensues when a high school teacher is jailed for teaching evolution in defiance of state law.
Impressions:
This fictionalized take on the Scopes Monkey Trial is sure to get your dander up no matter which side of the aisle you're on. I'm not going to get into the in-universe or meta politics of it, though. That's a can of worms I'd rather not open. The superb performances by Spencer Tracy and Fredric March deserve the lion's share of the credit for making this movie what it is, particularly March as I found Brady to be a more complex and interesting character. The strained friendship between Drummond and Brady is a particular highlight and I love the moderating influence of Florence Eldridge as Sarah Brady. Gene Kelly really does a number as the smarmy scumbag Hornbeck, Harry Morgan does well as the straight man Judge Coffy and Dick York is also pretty impressive as the embattled Cates. As I said in the beginning, this movie is going to touch sore spots no matter your persuasion, but the strength of the performances and the compelling character dynamics make this one worth a watch at the very least. And see if you don't have "Old-Time Religion" stuck in your head for days after seeing it.
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