Tobacco Road

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Tobacco Road

Released Feb 20, 1941

1h 24m

Drama

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3 Reviews

37%

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500+ Ratings

A poor family in rural Georgia struggles to make ends meet as the clan's father, Jeeter Lester (Charley Grapewin), proudly refuses help at every turn. Although the Lesters have thrived on their land for generations, Jeeter and his wife (Marjorie Rambeau) haven't prospered, and the outlook for the family is bleak. While many Lester children have left the farm, the none-too-bright Dude (William Tracy) and the gorgeous Ellie May (Gene Tierney) are still around to cause a fair share of drama.

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Diego Galán

El Pais (Spain)

An incredible film where melodrama is mixed with the absurd and social commentary with humor. [Full Review in Spanish]

Sep 5, 2019

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Dennis Schwartz

Dennis Schwartz 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.

Rated: B-

Apr 1, 2013

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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.

Mar 27, 2013

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John Gerard Ó

One of John Ford’s lesser efforts But most directors wish they could direct even this well. Great ensemble cast and a very young Gene Tierney maybe 20 years old fresh from Broadway.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

06/07/24

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Steve D

Some talent here but not the ones writing the script.

Rated 2 out of 5 stars

03/20/24

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Audience Member

A true masterpiece from start to finish. I enjoyed every single moment of this film.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/22/23

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Audience Member

(***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img]

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/18/23

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Audience Member

not a bit like the book, it's a comedy and it's watchable i guess. at least they spared gene tierney the harelip

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/09/23

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Audience Member

John Ford's Tobacco Road is The Grapes of Wrath with slapstick and sight gags. Present are the trademark Ford fences in sunset silhouette and thematic musical selections, but what is different is the over the top portrayal of poor, illiterate tenant farmers. While amusing, if one is familiar with Erskine Caldwell's novel, Ford's adaptation seems both a bit cruel and trite, considering the novel's dark conclusion. Worth watching for William Tracey's portrayal of Dude Lester.

Rated 3 out of 5 stars

02/21/23

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John Ford

Director

Charley Grapewin

Jeeter Lester

Marjorie Rambeau

Sister Bessie Rice

Gene Tierney

Ellie May Lester

William Tracy

Dude Lester

Elizabeth Patterson

Ada Lester

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Synopsis

A poor family in rural Georgia struggles to make ends meet as the clan's father, Jeeter Lester (Charley Grapewin), proudly refuses help at every turn. Although the Lesters have thrived on their land for generations, Jeeter and his wife (Marjorie Rambeau) haven't prospered, and the outlook for the family is bleak. While many Lester children have left the farm, the none-too-bright Dude (William Tracy) and the gorgeous Ellie May (Gene Tierney) are still around to cause a fair share of drama.

Director: John Ford
Producer: Darryl F Zanuck
Screenwriter: Erskine Caldwell, Jack Kirkland, Nunnally Johnson
Distributor: 20th Century Fox
Production Co: 20th Century Fox
Genre: Drama
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Feb 20, 1941, Original
Release Date (Streaming): Jan 1, 2013
Runtime: 1h 24m

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