A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.A biblical orator opposes a liberal lawyer defending a man for teaching Darwinism in the 1920s South.
- Won 2 Primetime Emmys
- 2 wins & 1 nomination total
Tom McCleister
- Bailiff
- (as Thom McCleister)
Richard Gilbert-Hill
- Radio Newsman
- (as Richard Gilbert Hill)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaThe real William Jennings Bryan ran for President three times: 1896, 1900, and 1908. Bryan was the first Presidential candidate to extensively barnstorm during a Presidential campaign in an era when most candidates did not. Although it's suggested that he might be contemplating a run in the next election, which would have been in 1928, it's highly unlikely. He did serve in public office twice - as Congressman from Nebraska from 1891 to 1895 and as Secretary of State under Woodrow Wilson from 1913 to 1915, when he resigned over the country's policy toward Germany after the Lusitania was sunk. Despite his fundamentalist Christian beliefs, he was considered as Liberal and Progressive, supporting anti-Imperialist policies and trust-busting.
- GoofsActor Kyle Secor, as Bertram Cates, wears glasses of which the frames are historically incorrect. In the 1930s, the frames would be metal. Additionally, the handles of the frames would curl and hook around each ear instead of the modern-day version which only slightly hooks around the back of the ear. While the "Ful-Vue' shape of the lenses is correct, 1930s glasses did not have the nose bridge comfort pads of modern-day glasses. And while tortoiseshell frames were just beginning to come into style, it is doubtful that a young man during the Great Depression would be able to afford tortoiseshell frames on a teacher's salary and would opt for the gold metal frames which were more popular and readily available. In this film, Secor wears modern frames that appear to be tortoiseshell with modern-day handles.
- Quotes
Rachel Brown: I don't understand it, and what I do understand I don't like. I don't believe I came from apes and monkeys. You see, I really haven't thought very much. I was always afraid of what I might think. It seemed safer not to think at all. Maybe - maybe what Mr. Darwin wrote is bad. Bad or good I think ideas have to come out. I think they should be heard. I don't think they ought to pass laws against them.
- ConnectionsFeatured in The 40th Annual Primetime Emmy Awards (1988)
Featured review
Worth seeing Jason Robards as Clarence Darrow
I'm a little unusual as far as movies and books go. I will love a horrible story or movie for one good idea, one good scene or one good actor.
This was that film. I saw it when it was first aired when I was 14 and it made an impression on me. We had read the play a year earlier in 7th grade but it was Jason Robard's portrayal of the playfully witty grumpy grandpa who made the movie.
If you like Robards this movie cannot be missed. His portrayal of an ideal Atheist is good, even if it the reality of Clarence Darrow's personality. The way he gives sage advise to Cates about "Golden Dancer" - "Bert, whenever you see something bright, shining, perfect-seeming—all gold, with purple spots—look behind the paint! And if it's a lie—show it up for what it really is!" - cannot be beat. Robard's perfect rendition of this epic metaphor for a young man to follow in his hard and often lonely search for truth is what makes this film.
As an adult now, I have seen the classic version of this but there are benefits to this old made for TV movie - if you can find it, see it - and also drop me a line about where I can find it - I had my old VHS for years but can't find it!
This was that film. I saw it when it was first aired when I was 14 and it made an impression on me. We had read the play a year earlier in 7th grade but it was Jason Robard's portrayal of the playfully witty grumpy grandpa who made the movie.
If you like Robards this movie cannot be missed. His portrayal of an ideal Atheist is good, even if it the reality of Clarence Darrow's personality. The way he gives sage advise to Cates about "Golden Dancer" - "Bert, whenever you see something bright, shining, perfect-seeming—all gold, with purple spots—look behind the paint! And if it's a lie—show it up for what it really is!" - cannot be beat. Robard's perfect rendition of this epic metaphor for a young man to follow in his hard and often lonely search for truth is what makes this film.
As an adult now, I have seen the classic version of this but there are benefits to this old made for TV movie - if you can find it, see it - and also drop me a line about where I can find it - I had my old VHS for years but can't find it!
helpful•40
- Hythlodaeus
- Sep 1, 2014
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