Of Mice and Men

1939 Drama

Cast:

Lennie Small: Lon Chaney Jr.

George Milton: Burgess Meredith

Mae Jackson: Betty Field

Slim: Charles Bickford

Whit: Noah Beery Jr.

Curly: Bob Steele

Director:

Lewis Milestone

Based on the novel by John Steinbeck. In depression era America a migrant worker travels northern California with his giant mentally challenged cousin to make a living and achieve his dream while keeping him out of trouble.

Lennie and George (Chaney and Meredith) manage to find work at a ranch.

Lennie has been in trouble before so George needs to keep a close eye on him. Lennie is attracted to soft things; mice, rabbits, kittens and women.

George is loyal to Lennie, but it the responsibility wears on him and Lennie counts on George for a happy future. They dream of having their own little piece of land.

On the ranch, the boss's son Curly is married to a pretty young woman who is bored with life on the ranch. Curly hates big men and starts trouble with Lennie. George senses danger and makes Lennie promise to meet him in the brushes by the river if he is ever in trouble.

George and Lennie's dream seems as if it might become a reality with the help of an old ranch worker. The dream of a little piece of land with fruit trees, grass, pigs and rabbits.

But Lennie gets in trouble. A tragedy occurs on the ranch due to Lennie's actions.

George has protected Lennie all his life and tries to protect him now, but is unable to. George and Lennie meet in the bushes by the river for a heartbreaking ending.

This is a beautiful and tragic film based on a Steinbeck banned masterpiece about the heartbreak of the human condition.

Lon Chaney Jr. is brilliant as Lennie.

An unforgettable film.

Boffo Buff