Vitals

Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, ex-convict and migrant laborer

Oklahoma to California via Route 66, Summer 1939

Film: The Grapes of Wrath
Release Date: January 24, 1940
Director: John Ford
Costume Designer: Gwen Wakeling

WARNING! Spoilers ahead!

Background

All roads point to The Grapes of Wrath today, from honoring its star Henry Fonda’s real-life U.S. Navy service during World War II for Veterans Day to the 100th anniversary of when historic Route 66 was designated on November 11, 1926. Based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, The Grapes of Wrath follows the itinerant Joad family journeying from Oklahoma to California in search of better opportunities during the Great Depression.

The story’s deep association with the Mother Road even led to its false (but still relevant) working title “Highway 66” to avoid any potential concerns with bringing Steinbeck’s politically radical novel to the screen. After paying $100,000 for its adaptation rights, 20th Century Fox producer Darryl F. Zanuck stacked both sides of the camera with talent, including cinematographer Gregg Toland and director John Ford, who brought the story to grittily realistic life by filming on location in Oklahoma, New Mexico, Arizona, and California.

Steinbeck’s initial apprehension about selling the rights to his novel are evident by his insistance that its subjects be treated reverently and responsibly. His faith in Zanuck was rewarded by Ford’s sensitive direction and Fonda’s compelling performance as the paroled Okie laborer Tom Joad which, as the author later stated, made him “believe my own words.” Continue reading →