The Grapes of Wrath (1940)

Henry Fonda, Jane Darwell

Directed by John Ford

Available to stream on Prime Video

Three generations of the Joad family lose their farm in Oklahoma as a result of the devastating Dust Bowl of the 1930’s, and make the long trek to California, desperately searching for a new life.

Why we love it: This is a beautiful film, full of poetic photography and memorable characters that you root for and follow and wonder about after the movie is over.  That is the epitome of successful film-making. You’re drawn in even though you might not want to be. Ma Joad is unforgettable -- leaving her old home and life behind, looking at herself in the mirror with earrings, then resolutely facing a future of poverty.  Watch for the glimpses of 1930’s signs along the roads and the sweeping landscapes in artistic black and white photography.  Best seen on the biggest tv available because of John Ford’s masterful use of long shot scenes.

Fun Facts:

• The film is based on John Steinbeck's Pulitzer Prize winning novel published in 1939. Darryl F. Zanuck, the head of Twentieth Century-Fox, loved the novel and was determined to make it into a film. He paid Steinbeck $70,000 for the film rights. Steinbeck insisted on adding a clause to the contract stating, "the producer agrees that any motion picture based on the said literary property shall fairly and reasonably retain the main action and social intent of the said literary property."
  

• During pre-production, Darryl F. Zanuck hired investigators to find out if Steinbeck's account of the treatment of the workers in the migrant camps was accurate. He discovered that conditions were actually much worse in real life.
  

• Nominated for seven Academy Awards, the film won two: Best Supporting Actress for Jane Darwell and Best Director for John Ford.

Henry Fonda in "The Grapes of Wrath"

• Jane Darwell appeared in over 200 films, but won her only Oscar for her portrayal of Ma Joad. Her last film appearance was in Mary Poppins in 1964 as the Bird Woman. She had retired but Walt Disney specifically wanted her to play the role and he visited her in her retirement home and personally asked her to appear in Mary Poppins.

Jane Darwell in "The Grapes of Wrath"

• Henry Fonda was nominated for an Oscar for Best Actor but lost to Jimmy Stewart who won for his role in The Philadelphia Story. Jimmy Stewart even admitted that he had voted for Henry Fonda to win for his role as Tom Joad.
  

• In 1989 when the Library of Congress established the National Film Registry, The Grapes of Wrath was one of the first 25 films chosen for preservation for being "culturally, historically, or aesthetically significant."

Review from "Motion Picture" 1940

For more reviews of the film from the time, go to the Fan Magazine Reviews page.

Featured Cocktail:

Jack and Coke

Coca Cola originated in Atlanta in the late 1800s. After the turn of the century, it was marketed as a temperance drink. It didn’t take long, though, for people to realize it made a first-class mixer for alcoholic drinks. Bourbon, like Coke, was strongly associated with the US South, so it was a natural. At some point, Jack Daniels, characterized by its distiller as Tennessee Sour Mash Whiskey, became a favored whiskey to add to Coke.

2 oz (60 ml) Jack Daniels or your favorite bourbon

4 - 6 oz (120 – 180 ml) Coca Cola

Fill tall glass ¾ full of ice. Add Jack Daniels, top with Coke. Stir.

(The addition of lemon or lime is optional.)

Cheers to the Classics!