Of Mice and Men (1939)

Synopsis: Director Lewis Milestone, at one time an itinerant worker himself, conveys a profound sense of the loneliness of the wide open spaces of the West in this moving adaptation of the Steinbeck classic. Starring Burgess Meredith as George... Director Lewis Milestone, at one time an itinerant worker himself, conveys a profound sense of the loneliness of the wide open spaces of the West in this moving adaptation of the Steinbeck classic. Starring Burgess Meredith as George Milton and Lon Chaney, Jr. as his mentally-challenged, powerfully-built cousin, Lennie Small, the film follows the fortunes of the two workers in Depression-era California. Although they're invariably fired from any job they get due to Lennie's limitations, George refuses to abandon his cousin, and they dream of saving enough money to one day buy a ranch, where Lennie will tend the rabbits. The two are hired on at the ranch of Jackson (Oscar O'Shea) and quickly find themselves at odds with the boss's son Curly (Bob Steele), while his vacuous, flirtatious wife, Mae (Betty Field), teases the uncomprehending Lennie, enjoying her power over this behemoth. George, fearing the worst, warns Lennie to avoid her. Later, Lennie, who's unable to gauge his strength, accidentally kills a pet rabbit. Mae tries to console him by allowing him to stroke her hair, an offer which leads to tragedy. This extremely compelling film is one of Milestone's best, with Chaney giving the performance of his career, and Copland once again providing a score which powerfully evokes the West. [More]

Starring: Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney, Bob Steele, Betty Field

Starring: Burgess Meredith, Lon Chaney, Bob Steele, Betty Field, Charles Bickford

Director: Lewis Milestone

Director: Lewis Milestone
Screenwriter: Eugene Solow
Producer: Hal Roach

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