July 21 - Inherit the Wind (1960)

Here is a film with a scene that happens today – July 21. I hope you enjoy the movie and watch it tonight.  

INHERIT THE WIND

A high school biology teacher, Bertram Cates is arrested for teaching the theory of evolution in violation of state law. Matthew Harrison Brady, a well known former presidential candidate and biblical scholar volunteers to conduct the prosecution. Cates is denounced by many including Rev. Jeremiah Brown, the father of his fiancée, Rachel. A reporter E. K. Hornbeck arrives and offers to get an attorney to represent Cates as he senses the case can be whipped up into a media frenzy. Matthew Brady arrives with a lot of hoopla, while Henry Drummond, well known attorney and friend of Brady is welcomed only by the members of Cate’s class. The trial begins and Brady and Drummond duel, with the judge subtly favoring the prosecution. That evening at a mass prayer meeting Rev. Brown again denounces Cates and Brady and Drummond discuss why their formerly similar views have diverged. The state calls Rachel as a prosecution witness. In her testimony she reveals that Cates left the church because he was upset after Rev. Brown said that a boy who had drowned was going to hell. She breaks down and is excused. The judge refuses Drummond’s request to call several scientists as witnesses and ends up funding Drummond in contempt of court. Drummond apologizes to the court and calls Brady to the stand. Drummond’s questioning of Brady implies that Drummond beliefs, if carried to their limit would deny the right to think for oneself.  He also shows that the Bible and scientific fact are not incompatible. The next day, on July 21, 1925 [1:51:58 to 2:08:03] Cates is found guilty of teaching evolution and sentenced to pay a $100.00 fine. Rachel reconciles with Cates. Brady is outraged at the mildness of this penalty, while Drummond says he will appeal the conviction. Brady tries to speak to the crowd, but dies in the courtroom.

A good dramatic presentation of the apparent conflict between science and religion. What the observer should take away from the film is that it is extremists on both sides of the issue who refuse to see that there is no conflict at all. This is of course a fictionalized version of the “Scopes monkey trial” where the names have been changed to protect the innocent.  

Summer for the Gods: The Scopes Trial and America’s Continuing Debate Over Science and Religion by Edward J. Larson (Basic Books, New York, 1997) at pages 147-191 gives the verdict date

Producer - Stanley Kramer

Director - Stanley Kramer

Awards – The film was nominated for the Best Actor(Spencer), Best Black and 

                 White Cinematography, Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Film Editing

                  Oscars at the 33^rd Academy Awards.  

Screenplay - Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith

Runtime – 2 hours 8 minutes

Released – October 12, 1960

Starring –

Spencer Tracy as Henry Drummond

Fredric March as Matthew Harrison Brady

Florence Eldridge as Sara Brady

Gene Kelly as E. K. Hornbeck 

Dick York as Bertram T. Cates

Donna Anderson as Rachel Brown

Harry Morgan as Judge Mel Coffey

Claude Akins as Rev. Jeremiah Brown

Elliott Reid as Prosecutor Tom Davenport

Paul Hartman as Deputy Horace Meeker - Bailiff

Philip Coolidge as Mayor Jason Carter

Jimmy Boyd as Howard

Noah Beery Jr. as John Stebbins

Norman Fell as WGN Radio Technician

Hope Summers as Mrs. Krebs

Ray Teal as Jessie H. Dunlap

Renee Godfrey as Mrs. Stebbins