There are many actors who spend a lifetime making films and creating special roles which live in the hearts of millions. Other actors reject characters which limit their artistic efforts and struggle for years not to be typed casted by them. Some do, others do not break free of them. As one of millions of Spenser Tracy fans, the film "Inherit the Wind" will always be his defining character for me. The film itself is taken from the actual 1925 Scope's Monkey Trial which is the factual record wherein the Theory of Evolution was put on trial. Although few actual facts from the trial are used in the film, the stifling, courtroom drama itself, re-creates the volatile life, times and mood of the era. Bringing the sensational atmosphere to life are a treasury of excellent actors which offer some of the finest moments in cinematic history. Henry Drummond the defense attorney is superbly played by Spenser Tracy. His eloquent and formidable adversary is none other than Fredric March who plays, religiously infallible Matthew Harrison Brady. Gene Kelly is superior as E. K. Hornbeck, a cynical, but event savvy newspaper man. Dick York is Bertram T. Cates, the teacher on trial. Harry Morgan is interesting as Judge Mel. Claude Akins is surprising as Rev. Jeremiah Brown. The most interesting part of the film which is hailed by film historians, is the final courtroom confrontation. Tracy and March once friends are now battling in opposite ends of the legal issue. As a 'special' witness, March is hammered by the relentless Tracy who discovers that his life time friend does in fact have a fallibility after all. This film is a Classic in every sense of the word. *****
Review of Inherit the Wind
