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any woman who is not married to some realistic), and anything from Alfred didate William Jennings Bryan, played
man — any man — before the age of 30 Hitchcock.
by Frederic March). The Philadelphia
can’t have much going for her. Indeed And this masterpiece. Inherit the Inquirer pays for a high-profile defence
the remake had been an ill-fated attempt Wind was released in 1960, but it was attorney, Henry Drummond (based on
to make the story more politically conceived in the pretentious cauldron of the legendary Clarence Darrow, and
correct.
the 50’s, and it was based on a Broadway played by Spencer Tracy). It also sends in
The pristine image is very wide, play of the era. It is, however, one of the its reporter, E. K. Hornbeck (modelled
2.35:1, and the four-track stereo sound greatest movies of all time.
on the curmudgeonly H. L. Mencken,
remains fresh and clear. Recommended It is based on, or at least inspired by, played by a non-dancing Gene Kelly in
for all who love the golden era of the an actual event, the famous — or infa- the film’s only serious miscasting). Cates
movie musical.
mous — 1925 “monkey trial” of teacher is given a fiancée, Rachel, conveniently
John T. Scopes in Dayton, Tennessee made the daughter of the town’s fanatical
for having taught evolution, and thus preacher.
implicitly rejected the Biblical tale of I admit to being a pushover for
the Creation. It is, however, a roman à courtroom dramas, but I can’t think
clef, with names changed so that the facts of one that is as extended and captivat-
can be changed too for dramatic effect ing as this one. The proceedings are a
or other reason. Indeed, the historical three-way duel, with Tracy, March, and
story was heavily tampered with, but the judge (wonderfully played by Harry
the version of the film and the play is Morgan). Tracy would get an Oscar for
better known than the real tale, and both his performance, and it is puzzling that
play and film contributed to this altered March did not rate even a nomination.
perception.
I also want to put in a word for Flor-
The filmed story notwithstanding, ence Eldridge, who plays the wife of
Scopes was not a martyr to an unjust the March character (and was March’s
law, but an active participant in what was real-life wife), who delivers some of the
clearly a publicity stunt. The idea came film’s most memorable lines.
from a local mining entrepreneur, who I suppose diehard Creationists, then
suggested a way to put Dayton on the or now, wouldn’t be the target audience
map. There was a state law against teach- for this film, which treats Genesis as
ing evolution, but paradoxically enough, nothing more than a nostalgic fable. For
the department of education required anyone else the arguments presented by
use of a textbook which included a sec- defence attorney Drummond are hardly
Inherit the Wind
tion on evolution. Arresting someone controversial. However Brady is neither
Spencer Tracy, Frederic March for breaking a contradictory law would a straw man nor a two-dimensional
MGM 1002740
draw the eyes of the world on Dayton character. Despite the heavy-handed
Rejskind: There aren’t many great films and would surely be good for business. fundamentalist ideology he adheres to
from the 1950’s, perhaps because that Scopes couldn’t remember whether he in the dramatic courtroom scenes, in
boom decade was marked by an unde- had actually taught his class that sec- which he very much plays to a crowd of
served feeling of superiority. We were tion, but he volunteered to say he had rubes, he is shown as an intelligent and
the greatest generation, and everything and therefore become the designated
about us was resolutely modern. Not Our just scapegoat. hardware…
It is an amusing sidebar that
(with one important exception) sensitive
man who has reasons for maintaining
architecture, our whole æsthetic sensi- the textbook in question also included a his manifestly anti-intellectual agenda.
bility, were superior to all that had gone What long-time section on readers eugenics, tell which us they today most could like about He UHF and Drummond is that it are not as far apart
before. That included our movies. does more get than a teacher review arrested amplifiers in far and more speakers. worldly as they portray themselves publicly, and
Not so much, with hindsight. The In every cities issue, than we Dayton. discuss ideas.
indeed they were once both friends and
modern architecture of the 50’s looks We try to There tell you are what other you need important to know, diver- besides allies. what CD player to
ludicrous today, right down to the buy. absurd gences from the historical record too, but Having praised the script, direction,
furniture then much in favor. The It’s one let of me the get features to the that elements makes that UHF earn Magazine the and unlike most any of the other cast, I want to mention
industrial designs of the day are, audio today, magazine.
film the title of masterpiece: the remark- the black and white photography by the
mocked on the Internet. And most of able script, the nearly flawless casting, great Ernest Laszlo. It doesn’t get any
the movies of that “modern” decade are and Stanley Kramer’s direction. better than this, and the capturing of
nearly unwatchable now, and that goes John T. Scopes becomes Bert T. Cates. light and shadows gives the characters
double for those that won statuettes. Oh, The eager local prosecutor is backed by a modelling that is just short of 3D. For
there are exceptions. I would include the a firebrand advocate of Creationism, this and so many other reasons, Inherit
great musical comedies of the decade Matthew Harrison Brady (inspired by the Wind is a movie to be cherished and
(but then musicals are inherently anti- three-time Democratic presidential can- seen again and again.
ULTRA HIGH FIDELITY Magazine 75
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