Marcha

ref. 51-7036 — Hollywood: United Artists 1960. . 8 pp. 45.8x33.8 cm 18x13¼". Moderate wear edges toned."The film’s title as noted in the picture comes from the Biblical passage of Proverbs 11:29: “He that troubleth his own house shall inherit the wind.” Although the picture was copyrighted twice by Lomitas Productions Inc. the first copyright dated 2 Sep 1960 under number LP17779 lists the production company as Lomitas Productions Germany and was for a 16mm version. This version was probably shown at the film's premiere at the Berlin Film Festival on 25 Jun 1960. The second copyright also held by Lomitas Productions Inc. and for a 35mm version was registerd on 12 Nov 1960 under number LP17367 and the company is listed by the copyright records only as Lomitas Productions. .Director Stanley Kramer stated in a Nov 1959 NYT article that he considered Inherit the Wind the third in his trilogy of socially provocative films beginning with The Defiant Ones 1958 see above and On the Beach 1959 see below. The film is based on the play Inherit the Wind which was inspired by the 1925 “Scopes Monkey Trial” in Dayton TN. During that trial then dubbed “The Trial of the Century” Chicago labor lawyer Clarence Darrow 1857—1938 defended teacher John T. Scopes 1900—1970. Scopes was accused of propounding Charles Darwin's theory of evolution in defiance of Tennessee’s Butler Law which prohibited the teaching of any theory other than creationism. The prosecution was led by fundamentalist politician William Jennings Bryan 1860—1925 who was known as “The Great Commoner.” Bryan ran for United States President three times in 1896 1900 and 1908 and served as Secretary of State from 1913--1915. Unlike as depicted in the film Bryan died not on the day the trial ended but five days later of complications from diabetes. Another famous figure represented in the play and film versions of the story was H. L. Mencken 1880—1956 a journalist celebrated for his clever wit and iconoclastic liberalism. In the play and film the names of the major characters are changed from Clarence Darrow to Henry Drummond; William Jennings Bryan to Matthew Harrison Brady; H. L. Mencken to E. K. Hornbeck; and John T. Scopes to Bertram T. Cates. Although the film’s version of the trial hewed closely to actual events in other areas many facts were changed. For example unlike in the film the real trial was initiated by the American Civil Liberties Union ACLU which considered the Butler Law prohibiting the teaching of evolution in Tennessee classrooms unconstitutional. When Dayton resident George W. Rappelyea learned of the ACLU’s desire to test the law he convinced Scopes who rarely even taught evolution to join the case. According to modern sources because the theory of evolution was included in the state’s textbook many Tennessee teachers included it in the curriculum. Also in contrast to the film according to some historians Darrow wanted Scopes to be found guilty so he could appeal the decision to a higher court. Hollywood: United Artists, 1960 unknown