Tobacco Road (1941)
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49% of users liked it
(480 ratings)
Erskine Caldwell's once-scandalous novel Tobacco Road resulted in an equally steamy stage play by Jack Kirkland, which became one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history. This story of indigence and amorality amongst inbred "poor whites" (based on people Caldwell had… More Erskine Caldwell's once-scandalous novel Tobacco Road resulted in an equally steamy stage play by Jack Kirkland, which became one of the longest-running productions in Broadway history. This story of indigence and amorality amongst inbred "poor whites" (based on people Caldwell had known while growing up in Georgia) had to be heavily expurgated for movie consumption, put there was plenty of comedy and colorful characterizations to suit the purposes of director John Ford. Charley Grapewin stars as Jeeter Lester, shiftless patriarch of a large backwoods clan. The Lesters are about to be thrown off their land for nonpayment of rent, but anyone who tries to help them--or to alter their lifestyle--is chased away by the poverty-stricken but intensely proud Jeeter. Tobacco Road succeeded on the basis of its title alone, even though no one expected the film to be anywhere near as earthy as the stage version (it would have been impossible under prevailing censorship to include the play's famous opening scene, in which the family watches intently while a teenage girl masturbates!) ~ Hal Erickson, Rovi
- Directed By
- John Ford
- Written By
- Nunnally Johnson
- Genres
- Drama, Classics, Comedy
Unrated,
- In Theaters
- Jan 1, 1941 Wide
- Studio
- 20th Century Fox
Critic Reviews
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
If you can get past its flaws, especially its stereotype characterization of the hillbillies, there's a subversiveness to it that is pleasantly intoxicating.
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Jeffrey M. Anderson, Combustible Celluloid
John Ford's weirdest film plays like a flip-side of -- or an alternate reality to -- The Grapes of Wrath.
See more critic ratings and reviews on Rotten Tomatoes
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Cast
- Charley Grapewin
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Marjorie Rambeau
as Sister Bessie
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Gene Tierney
as Ellie May Lester
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William Tracy
as Dude Lester
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George "Slim" Summerville
as Henry Peabody
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Charles Grapewin
as Jeeter Lester
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Elizabeth Patterson
as Ada Lester
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Dana Andrews
as Dr. Tim
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Ward Bond
as Lov Bensey
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Grant Mitchell
as George Payne
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Zeffie Tilbury
as Grandma Lester
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Russell Simpson
as Sheriff
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Spencer Charters
as Employee
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Irving Bacon
as Teller
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Harry Tyler
as Auto Salesman
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Charles Halton
as Mayor
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George Chandler
as Employee
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Dorothy Adams
as Payne's secretary
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Mae Marsh
as Woman
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John Miller
as Garage Attendant
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Francis Ford
as Vagabond
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Jack Pennick
as Deputy sheriff
