INHERIT THE WIND (1960)

INHERIT THE WIND
Directed by Stanley Kramer
Starring Spencer Tracy, Frederic March, Donna Anderson, Elliott Reid, Gene Kelley, Dick York, and Harry Morgan

“I say that you cannot administer a wicked law impartially. You can only destroy, you can only punish. And I warn you, that a wicked law, like cholera, destroys every one it touches. Its upholders as well as its defiers.”

“Suppose God whispered into a Bertram Cate's ear that an un-Brady thought could still be holy? Must men go to jail because they find themselves at odds with a self-appointed prophet?”

“Remember the wisdom of Solomon in the book of Proverbs. 'He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.'”

These are three of the greatest quotes from “Inherit the Wind”, which is a fantastic movie that is just as relevant to the times today as it was when it was made almost fifty years ago. It's an amazing coincidence that I chose to watch this film today, because we are once again on the verge of a holy war. A war where people claiming to represent God are going to try to use their influence to spread hatred and discrimination. Most of you who read these blogs know me personally, but in case someone reads this who doesn't know me personally, I'll explain my last sentence. I live in California, which will become the second state in the United States to allow same-sex couples the right to marry next week. That is unless a ballot initiative put onto the ballot by religious fundamentalists puts a discriminatory amendment into our state constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

What does this have to do with “Inherit the Wind”? “Inherit the Wind” tells the true story of the Scopes Monkey Trial, in which a high school teacher was arrested for teaching evolution to his students. The case drew national acclaim and two big lawyers came in to try the case. The Prosecuting Attorney was William Jennings Bryant and the Defense Attorney was Clarence Darrow. They were two of the most important political figures of their time. Bryant was known as the “Silver Tongued Orator” and had ran unsuccessfully for President three times. Clarence Darrow was a leader of the American Civil Liberties Union and had also represented Leopold and Loeb at their murder trial.

For the purposes of the movie the names were changed. Clarence Darrow became Henry Drummon (Played by Spencer Tracy), William Jennings Bryant became Matthew Harrison Brady (Frederic March), reporter H.L. Mencken became E.K. Hornbeck (Gene Kelley), and teacher John T. Snopes became Bertram T. Cates (Dick York). The names changed, but the facts surrounding the trial are largely unchanged. In fact, some of the more outlandish lines of dialogue were taken directly from the court room record.

Why is this film so important? Because even today, almost fifty years after the film was released, there are still people who believe themselves to be divine messengers from God. They may not be right, but they are certainly loud! And they can influence countless others. They rule by fear, and they convince poor people that unless they conform to strict standards they will be left out of the goodness that God has to offer. Evolution and same-sex marriage are not the only issues that they weigh in on! In matters of civil rights, gender rights, environmental issues, and even the selection of presidents these so-called leaders call forth their armies to do their bidding. The blind lead the blind and we all get carried along as they march us off a cliff.

May it never be said that I'm anti-religion. I'm a firm believer in God and his son Jesus and the goodness that can come from them. I draw the line when people use religious teachings to promote hatred and bigotry, or to blind us all from common sense.

“Inherit the Wind” deals with these issues with such passion and fervor that it will leave you breathless. All of the performances are utterly remarkable. Director Stanley Kramer knows how to get the most out of every actor he works with. There is not a moment where he is not turning the knobs of tension, making your heart speed up and your breath shorten with the skill of a fine craftsman. That he was not nominated for Best Director is a shame.

“Inherit the Wind” was nominated for four Oscars. It won none. The first was for Spencer Tracy for Best Actor for his brilliant and powerful portrayal of Henry Drummond. He lost to Burt Lancaster in “Elmer Gantry”. The other nominees were Jack Lemmon in “The Apartment”, Laurence Olivier in “The Entertainer”, and Trevor Howard in “Sons and Lovers”.
Ernest Laszlo was nominated for Best Cinematography in a Black and White Film. He lost to Freddie Francis in “Sons and Lovers”. Other nominated films were “The Apartment”, “The Facts of Life”, and “Psycho”.

Frederic Knudtson earned a nomination for Best Film Editing. The winner was Daniel Mandell who edited “The Apartment”. The other nominated films were “The Alamo”, “Pepe”, and “Spartacus”.

The final nomination went to Nedrick Young and Harold Jacob Smith for Best Adapted Screenplay. Older records will not list Mr. Young. They will instead list Nathan E. Douglas, which was Mr. Young's pseudonym. Nedrick Young was unable to put his real name on the script because he had been blacklisted from the industry because of ties to Communism. How fitting that a film about the dangers of fanaticism should be written by a man who was a victim of it. The Oscar went to Richard Brooks for “Elmer Gantry”. Other nominated films were “Sons and Lovers”, The Sundowners”, and “Tunes of Glory”.