{"id":46559,"date":"2020-03-14T18:45:15","date_gmt":"2020-03-15T01:45:15","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46559"},"modified":"2022-02-21T15:03:29","modified_gmt":"2022-02-21T22:03:29","slug":"of-mice-and-men-1939","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46559","title":{"rendered":"Of Mice and Men (1939)"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><strong>&#8220;I don&#8217;t say he&#8217;s bright &#8212; he ain&#8217;t; but I say he&#8217;s a good worker.&#8221;<\/strong><\/p>\n<table>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Poster.jpg\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Poster-201x300.jpg\" alt=\"\" width=\"201\" height=\"300\" class=\"alignleft size-medium wp-image-46561\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Poster-201x300.jpg 201w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Poster-86x128.jpg 86w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Poster.jpg 669w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 201px) 100vw, 201px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><strong>Synopsis:<\/strong><br \/>\nAn itinerant worker (Burgess Meredith) and his mentally disabled friend (Lon Chaney, Jr.) arrive at a ranch where the surly son (Bob Steele) of the owner is unhappy about his wife&#8217;s (Betty Field) interest in a farmhand named Slim (Charles Bickford). When George (Meredith) reassures Lennie (Chaney, Jr.) that they will one day purchase a farm of their own, they pique the interest of both an elderly white (Roman Bohnen) and a marginalized black (Leigh Whipper) co-worker interested in joining them.\n<\/p>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<tr>\n<td>\n<p>\n<strong>Genres:<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Betty Field Films<\/li>\n<li>Burgess Meredith Films<\/li>\n<li>Charles Bickford Films<\/li>\n<li>Friendship<\/li>\n<li>Lewis Milestone Films<\/li>\n<li>Lon Chaney, Jr. Films<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Review: <\/strong><br \/>\nLewis Milestone directed this adaptation of <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Of_Mice_and_Men\">John Steinbeck&#8217;s heart-wrenching novella<\/a> and <a href=\"https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Of_Mice_and_Men_(play)\">play<\/a>, depicting a tale of friendship that truly tests the limits of our willingness to &#8220;do the right thing&#8221; under challenging circumstances. Meredith reprised his Broadway role, while Chaney Jr. was brought on board to play Lennie; both hit each note of their characters perfectly, and the rest of the supporting cast is excellent as well. (It&#8217;s particularly refreshing to see an African-American [Whipper] given a meaningful and nuanced role.) Aaron Copland&#8217;s score is almost a character in its own right, at times intrusive but never uninteresting. I find it hard to say much more about this film other than that everyone should see it &#8212; but be forewarned: while I rarely cry at movies, this one is an exception. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Redeeming Qualities and Moments: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Burgess Meredith as George<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Meredith.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Meredith.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-46567\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Meredith.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Meredith-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Meredith-128x93.png 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Lon Chaney, Jr. as Lennie<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Chaney-Jr.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Chaney-Jr.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-46565\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Chaney-Jr.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Chaney-Jr-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Chaney-Jr-128x93.png 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>Fine supporting performances by the entire cast<br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Field.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Field.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-46566\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Field.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Field-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Field-128x93.png 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Bohnen.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Bohnen.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-46564\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Bohnen.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Bohnen-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Bohnen-128x93.png 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Whipper.png\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" src=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Whipper.png\" alt=\"\" width=\"640\" height=\"464\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-46563\" srcset=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Whipper.png 640w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Whipper-300x218.png 300w, https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/01\/Of-Mice-and-Men-Whipper-128x93.png 128w\" sizes=\"auto, (max-width: 640px) 100vw, 640px\" \/><\/a><\/li>\n<li>A heartbreaking screenplay, faithfully adapted<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Must See? <\/strong><br \/>\nYes, as a still-powerful adaptation. Listed as a film with Historical Importance in the back of Peary&#8217;s book. <\/p>\n<p><strong>Categories<\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?page_id=1784#goodshow\">Good Show<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><strong>Links: <\/strong><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.imdb.com\/title\/tt0031742\/\">IMDb entry<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.nytimes.com\/1940\/02\/17\/archives\/the-screen-hal-roach-presents-a-splendid-film-version-of-john.html\">NY Times Original Review<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"https:\/\/www.tcm.com\/tcmdb\/title\/85392\/of-mice-and-men#articles-reviews?articleId=240794\">TCM Article<\/a><\/li>\n<li><a href=\"http:\/\/thespinningimage.co.uk\/cultfilms\/displaycultfilm.asp?reviewid=2337\">Spinning Image Review<\/a><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/table>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>&#8220;I don&#8217;t say he&#8217;s bright &#8212; he ain&#8217;t; but I say he&#8217;s a good worker.&#8221; Synopsis: An itinerant worker (Burgess Meredith) and his mentally disabled friend (Lon Chaney, Jr.) arrive at a ranch where the surly son (Bob Steele) of the owner is unhappy about his wife&#8217;s (Betty Field) interest in a farmhand named Slim (Charles Bickford). When George (Meredith) reassures Lennie (Chaney, Jr.) that they will one day purchase a farm of their own, they pique the interest of&#8230;<\/p>\n<p class=\"read-more\"><a class=\"btn btn-default\" href=\"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/?p=46559\"> Read More<span class=\"screen-reader-text\">  Read More<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"jetpack_post_was_ever_published":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_access":"","_jetpack_dont_email_post_to_subs":false,"_jetpack_newsletter_tier_id":0,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paywalled_content":false,"_jetpack_memberships_contains_paid_content":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[1],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-46559","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","hentry","category-reviews"],"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack_featured_media_url":"","jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46559","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcomments&post=46559"}],"version-history":[{"count":12,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46559\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":81510,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=\/wp\/v2\/posts\/46559\/revisions\/81510"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fmedia&parent=46559"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Fcategories&post=46559"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/filmfanatic.org\/index.php?rest_route=%2Fwp%2Fv2%2Ftags&post=46559"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}