The Grapes of Wrath (1940)
- Starring:
- Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell, (more)
- Director(s):
- John Ford
- Category:
- Drama
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The adaptation of Nobel Prize-winner John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of dirt-poor Dust Bowl migrants by 4-time Oscar-winning director John Ford starred Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, who opens the movie returning to his Oklahoma home after serving jail time for manslaughter. En route, Tom meets family friend Casey (John Carradine), a former preacher who warns Tom that dust storms, crop failures, and new agricultural methods have financially decimated the once prosperous Oklahoma farmland. Upon returning to his family farm, Tom is greeted by his mother (Oscar-winner Jane Darwell), who tells him that the family is packing up for the "promised land" of California. Warned that they shouldn't expect a warm welcome in California--they've already seen the caravan of dispirited farmers, heading back home after striking out at finding work--the Joads push on all the same. Their first stop is a wretched migrant camp, full of starving children and surrounded by armed guards. Further down the road, the Joads drive into an idyllic government camp, with clean lodging, indoor plumbing, and a self-governing clientele. When Tom ultimately bids goodbye to his mother, who asks him where he'll go, he delivers the film's most famous speech: "I'll be all around...Wherever there's a fight so hungry people can eat...Whenever there's a cop beating a guy, I'll be there...And when the people are eatin' the stuff they raise and livin' in the houses they build. I'll be there too." ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide
- Theatrical Feature Running Time:
- 129 mins
Complete Cast:
- Henry Fonda - Tom Joad
- John Carradine - Jim Casey
- Doris Bowden - Rosasharn
- O.Z. Whitehead - Al Joad
- Eddie Quillan - Connie Rivers
- Frank Sully - Noah Joad
- Darryl Hickman - Winfield Joad
- Roger Imhof - Thomas
- Charles D. Brown - Wilkie
- Wally Albright - Boy Who Ate
- Robert "Buddy" Shaw - Gas Station Attendant
- Inez Palange - Woman in Camp
- Peggy Ryan - Hungry Girl
- Walter Miller - New Mexico Border Guard
- Eddy Waller - Proprietor
- Ted Oliver - State Policeman
- Harry Tyler - Bert
- Thornton Edwards - Motor Cop
- Trevor Bardette - Jule
- Irving Bacon - Conductor
- Norman Willis - Joe
- Walter McGrail - Gang Leader
- James Flavin - Guard
- Tom Tyler - Sheriff
- William Pawley - Bill
- George O'Hara - Clerk
- Jack Pennick - Camp helper
- Harry Tenbrook - Deputy/Troublemaker
- Georgia Simmons - Woman
- Mae Marsh - Floyd's Wife
- Robert E. Homans - Spencer
- Jane Darwell - Ma Joad
- Charles Grapewin - Grandpa Joad
- Russell Simpson - Pa Joad
- John Qualen - Muley Graves
- Zeffie Tilbury - Gramma Joad
- Frank Darien - Uncle John
- Shirley Mills - Ruth Joad
- Grant Mitchell - Caretaker
- John Arledge - Davis
- Joe Sawyer - Accountant
- Harry Strang - Fred the Truck Driver
- David Hilary Hughes - Frank
- Louis Mason - Man in Camp
- Cliff Clark - Townsman
- Rex Lease - Cop
- Gloria Roy - Waitress
- Charles B. Middleton - Leader
- Ralph Dunn - Deputy
- Arthur Ayleswofth - Father
- Frank Faylen - Tim Wallace
- Charles Tannen - Joe
- Hollis Jewell - Muley's Son
- George Breakston - Boy
- Erville Alderson - Arkansas Storekeeper
- Gaylord "Steve" Pendleton - Attendant
- Adrian Morris - Agent
- William Haade - Deputy Driver
- Ward Bond - Policeman
- Paul Guilfoyle - Floyd
- Kitty McHugh - Mae
- Selmar Jackson - Inspector
- Director(s):
- John Ford
- Writer(s):
- Nunnally Johnson
- Producer(s):
- Darryl F. Zanuck
- Categories:
- Drama
- Closed Captioning:
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- Subtitles:
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- 1998 - The Grapes of Wrath - American Film Institute - 100 Greatest American Movies
- 1988 - The Grapes of Wrath - Library of Congress - U.S. National Film Registry
- 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath - National Board of Review - Best Picture
- 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath - National Board of Review - Best Acting
- 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath - National Board of Review - Best Acting
- 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Director
- 1940 - The Grapes of Wrath - New York Film Critics Circle - Best Picture
