This 1960 Stanley Kramer film dramatizes the 1925 Scopes "Monkey Trial," with Spencer Tracy playing a Clarence Darrow-like character, Fredric March comically tragic as the William Jennings Bryan stand-in, and Gene Kelly in a fine performance as the cynical fictional counterpart of reporter H.L. Mencken. Future TV personalities Dick York ("Bewitched") and Harry Morgan ("Dragnet") may be glimpsed among the supporting actors -- as the defendant and judge, respectively. The confrontation between Tracy and March in the witness stand takes dialogue straight from the Scopes trial transcripts. With evolution versus creationism continuing in controversy today, this remains a timely drama.
Click here to see the rest of this review...
The review of this Movie prepared by David Loftus