The date is July 10th, 1925, and Bertram Cates (Dick York), a High School science teacher in Tennessee, is about to get arrested. He will now be put on trial for violating a law in Tennessee called the Butler Act, where the state prohibits public school teachers from teaching evolution rather than creationism. This draws nationwide attention known as the “Monkey Trial”, due to the reporter covering the trial E.K.Hornbeck (Gene Kelly). The two big shot lawyers go head to head in this once in a lifetime court case, as prosecutor Southern Gentleman Harrison Brady (Frederick March), and old man Henry Drumond (Spencer Tracy) for defense are presents. A man’s life is on the line, and it’s time for the case to start.
This is a very topical film due to the topic of religion and science, where they have their place in society, and how this type of thing still happens today. The film itself is a classic, and the acting is superb. Gene Kelly, the nosey reporter covering this case, is excellent–having some of the most memorable and deep quotable lines. Spencer Tracy knocks his performance out of the park as the old once hotshot lawyer turned legend, and Frederick March as the antagonist who’s so devout to his religion to where it affects his judgment in this hearing. This is a movie that makes you think, due to the writing and how this film is still relevant today. With the close-up shots and directing, you see the overall tone and imagery the writer is trying to convey. Lastly, Dick york’s performance as the teacher is outstanding. As the viewer, you can truly feel for him and want him to win. But does he ? I give this movie 4 gold bars for acting, and 1 gold bar for directing. I will see you the next time you want to come back to the movies.