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Tobacco Road

Play trailer Poster for Tobacco Road 1941 1h 24m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 3 Reviews 37% Popcornmeter 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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Tobacco Road

Critics Reviews

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Diego Galán El Pais (Spain) 09/05/2019
An incredible film where melodrama is mixed with the absurd and social commentary with humor. [Full Review in Spanish] Go to Full Review Dennis Schwartz Dennis Schwartz Movie Reviews 04/01/2013
B-
If you can get past its flaws, especially its stereotype characterization of the hillbillies, there's a subversiveness to it that is pleasantly intoxicating. Go to Full Review Jeffrey M. Anderson Combustible Celluloid 03/27/2013
John Ford's weirdest film plays like a flip-side of -- or an alternate reality to -- The Grapes of Wrath. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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John Gerard Ó 06/07/2024 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. See more Steve D 03/20/2024 Some talent here but not the ones writing the script. See more 02/11/2014 A true masterpiece from start to finish. I enjoyed every single moment of this film. See more 10/13/2012 (***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] See more 06/05/2012 not a bit like the book, it's a comedy and it's watchable i guess. at least they spared gene tierney the harelip See more 06/03/2012 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. See more Read all reviews
Tobacco Road

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Cast & Crew

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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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Tobacco Road

Tobacco Road (1941) Tobacco Road (1941) Tobacco Road (1941) View more photos

Movie Info

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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