Of Mice and Men (1939)

Truly one of the unsung triumphs of 1939, this heartfelt adaptation of John Steinbeck's morality tale of two itinerant migrant workers seems just as fresh and powerful decades after its release. Lon Chaney Jr. gives the performance of a lifetime as the sweet yet feeble-minded Lennie, who is befriended by the weary Burgess Meredith. They both would be lost without each other in a rather mixed-up world. Sensitively directed by Lewis Milestone (All Quiet on the Western Front), the film features the first pre-credit sequence in American film history. There's also a nice score by Aaron Copland. --Bill Desowitz Amazon.com essential video

Of Mice and Men

Mine came from Overman2000 and is very, very good - both video and audio. Highly recommended. May 14, 2008

of mice and men

Wonderful acting,with a very good story line.I felt Lon Chaney should have received a Oscar for a fine performence. May 11, 2008

Great Film Adaptation Of A Great Novel

Of all the television and theatrical releases that have followed, none have reached the perfect cast of this 1939 classic. Burgess Meredith and Lon Chaney Jr. in their finest roles. Where were the Academy Award nominations for these two outstanding performances? Lon Chaney Jr's final scene was worth more than what's his name's entire bore in "Goodbye Mr. Chips". ZZZZZZZZZ! Portrayals just as imagined from Steinbeck's novel. June 14, 2007

THE BEST "Novel adaption" film I have ever seen!

I have watched over 600 classic films in my study and enjoyment of classic film. I have watched many films made from a novel--Anna Karenina, A Tree Grows in Brooklyn, A Farewell to Arms, etc. It seems there is always something missing in movies adapted from a novel...a film cannot always grasp the depth and "mind thoughts" of a book, for a book is more for the mind and the reader's own inner vision and imagination, and a film must deal with the outwardly visual, and so being, much can be lost in the film story. However, was I surprised when I found this DVD at the library and brought it home to watch. It was amazing! I read "Of Mice and Men" as a required novel in high school back in the late 70's. I remember liking the story, and I bought my own copy of the book (just as I did with A Tree Grows in Brooklyn) and I read it over and over as the years went by. I haven't read it in several years, but when watching this film, I remembered everything that happened. I wasn't sure I was going to like Burgess Meredith as George, but he was very good. And the same with Lon Chaney Jr. as Lennie, and Betty Field as Curley's wife. Once the movie began, I felt these actors did a very good job portraying the characters as Steinbeck had them in his book. I was surprised with the realism of the film...quite gritty for 1939. Usually films really watered down issues and emotions back then, but this one was surprisingly quite open about them. I rarely cry watching a film, and this film had me crying...you felt so sorry for Lennie, for Candy losing his dog, for the 3 of them losing their "dream", and the ending...that was just an incredible ending for a 30's film. At our house we do not have TV and we carefully screen movies the children watch, and we stick to the classic years (1950's and prior) 98% of the time. I know some precodes, etc. are not for children, but I didn't think this film would be too strong for a child. Yes, because of the code, nothing was shown outright, but my 8 yr. old son really cried and was very sad when the gunshot sounded and Candy rolls over in his bunk. My son knew his dog was shot, and it was a strongly emotional scene without seeing anything! And my son cried when Lennie was in the barn with his little puppy who was dead from him being a bit too rough with him. Again, we don't see the dead puppy, but the implied idea is so strong, again my son burst into tears. I felt really bad for not being more careful for my son and his feelings; had I known this film was going to be so strongly emotional, I would have watched it when my son was in bed. I then knew I could not let him see the end; I figured if these 2 scenes of the dogs dying were so hard for him because of the implied realism and strong emotions, then the ending was going to be too. I was right, it was. And the final scene with George and Lennie is so well done, you felt what they were feeling. I was really crying...like I said, not many movies do this to me! I think the direction and filming was well done; some interesting camera work caught my eye. I can't believe this movie is so "forgotten"; it is just as great or even better than some of the other 1939 films- Gone With the Wind, Goodbye Mr. Chips, and MUCH better than The Wizard of Oz! I found I understand the story much better as an adult than I did in my youth. It is funny that schools make teens read these novels; because teens have not experienced life fully enough, they cannot fully grasp the truths of life such novels are presenting. Maybe some can, but I never did! Always, it was when I was older, got married, had children, experienced the routine and sorrows of life, that I could relate to such books; for I now have "been there" too. As an adult I could see the parallel of Candy's dog and Lennie. I never understood that when I was a teen in school. Anyway, this is an excellent film that no person who appreciates classic film should miss. I am glad I discovered it, and will definitely watch it again. I hear there are "film as literature" classes in schools now, and I would highly recommend this 1939 version of "Of Mice and Men" for such a class. Do please heed my warning though: if you watch this at home and have young children do not let them watch it with you; children are not ready to handle the strong emotions presented in this film. I would say wait until your child is at least 12 yrs. old. June 28, 2006

STEINBECK+MILESTONE+COPLAND+GREAT CAST=OUTSTANDING MOTION PICTURE

John Steinbeck's "Of Mice and Men" was brought to the motion picture screen in 1939 by director Lewis Milestone(All Quiet on the Western Front)and in doing so director Milestone produced one of the GREATEST American films of all time.It is certainly Milestone's GREATEST achievment.Aided by a great cast,Burgess Meredith,Lon Chaney,jr.(his greatest and the films best role)Charles Bickford,Roman Bohnen(outstanding as "Candy"),and Leigh Whipper(here outstanding as "Crooks",also great as "Sparks" in "The Ox-Bow Incident"),and a GREAT Aaron Copland score, this is a film that should be seen by All Americans,and be seen AGAIN and AGAIN.I've seen it at least 50 times over the 38(or so) years,and it has NEVER failed to bring tears to my eyes during certain scences,especially the ending sequence.
I won't go much into the plot,of this little morality play,but it deals with the friendship of George(Meridith),and Lennie(Chaney) who are wondering field hands and their desire to "have their own little place".Depite their desire to own their own home and farm land(private property) this film was labeled "LEFTIST",and "COMMUNIST"!Oh well!
Cowboy actor Bob Steele(as "Curly"),Noah Berry,Jr.,and Betty Field(as Steele's lonely wife) also contribute to the film's success.Betty Field, I did think she could have been better,but overall ,I guess she was OK.
In 1949 Steinbeck,Milestone,and Copland picturized Steinbeck's "The Red Pony",it was NOT a success and I didn't care for it,the Copland score for Pony was outstanding.
I have a question for film buffs out there.Did Roman Bohnen,uder the name of "Rudy Bowman",appear(as trooper Smith) in John Ford's "She Wore A Yellow Ribbon"?It sure sounds and looks like him.Bohnen died in 1949 while on stage,for a production prouduced by the controversial Actors Lab(ultra-left politically) after having been grilled by the House Committee on Un-American Activities.MANY contributors to this excellent production had problems with the U.S. Congress and the Hollywood Studios arising from their political outlook and associations
My only complaint concerning the DVD-no commetary-BAD-BAD-BAD. June 4, 2006

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