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      Tobacco Road

      Released Feb 20, 1941 1h 24m Drama List
      Reviews 35% 500+ Ratings Audience Score 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. Read More Read Less Watch on Fandango at Home Premiered Oct 08 Buy Now

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      Critics Reviews

      View All (3) Critics Reviews
      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 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews

      Audience Reviews

      View All (27) audience reviews
      Steve D Some talent here but not the ones writing the script. Rated 2 out of 5 stars 03/20/24 Full Review Tom M The novel may be an American classic and the play may have been highly successful, but this movie is awful ! It was a box office hit in 1941. How could someone from the south in 1941 not be insulted by it? Would people in the north find it funny ? Caldwell may be considered by some a literary genius, but his being an advocate of eugenics is on complete display here. Just uncomfortable. Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 05/09/20 Full Review 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 Full Review Audience Member (***): [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/icons/icon14.gif[/img] Rated 4 out of 5 stars 01/18/23 Full Review 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 Full Review 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 Full Review Read all reviews Post a rating

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      Tobacco Road

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      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
      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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