Of Mice and Men

Back in the 60s, David Susskind's Talent Associates did a number of TV adaptations of plays that had previously been made into feature films. Also included were A HATFUL OF RAIN and THE DESPERATE HOURS, and there was also an infamous remake of LAURA, which had not been a stage play. George Segal was Lennie in this production, getting good support from Nicol Williamson as Lennie, although more than once, the actor's obvious intelligence made his Lennie seem just a superficial characterization. Will Geer made an excellent Candy, and it was one of his more showy roles as he worked his way back from the blacklist. Joey Heatherton was, well Joey, in her interpretation of Curly's wife. It would be nice if Susskind could find a way to put some of these programs, all done for ABC, onto DVD, if only to preserve the efforts of all of those behind them, as videotape is hardly a great storage medium.

As Clore_2 pointed out here several years ago, this production was done on video tape back in 1968, and it is possible that nothing much remains of it because images on tape degrade so easily. Nevetheless, I have fond memories of it though I saw it only once--it may have aired only once. I have seen two film versions as well, and can say that all three versions of this story are good. Thought Don Gordon was particularly memorable as Curley in this video version. Maybe better than the Curley in the 1939 version. Every version has a terrific cast and this one is no exception, especially with Nicole Williamson as Lennie.

Seeing this teleplay in 1968 began a life-long relationship with author John Steinbeck. I think his book, Of Mice and Men is a key to understanding all of his works. And this TV movie really shows the compassion he had for the weak, and the square peg who doesn't fit into the uniformly round hole. In the fifty years since it aired I cannot think of a more compelling character than Nicol Williamson's Lenny! George Segal's George was edgy, and really shows the repressed frustration that simmered just below his frayed surface, and the difficulty of caring for the disabled then. His roll was to show off the beauty and goodness of Lenny (the real Lead character), which he did brilliantly. He carries me back to the early days when he was a promising serious actor in a sea of them. Looking over the great character actors who rounded out the cast launches me into an era of unique, original, unforgettable characters. Even Joey Heatherton justified her small but important part. I agree with the above reviewers most of whom regard this as one of the best movies ever made. And thus it's loss as one of the worst. How many other lost movies can claim such a strong impression after fifty years?

I saw this version when I was 13 years old and have never forgotten it. After it was over I had to shut myself in the bathroom because I didn't want anyone in my house seeing me cry so uncontrollably. It is the definitive film version of Steinbeck's book. How could something this good not be restored and re-released on dvd or available to stream? Powerful people in the film and tv industry need to unearth it somehow.

George Segal gives one of his best performances as Lenny's friend and caretaker. The tenderness and love he puts across are subtle yet powerful and shows us the soul of a man who sees his relationship with his friend as one stemming from true affection and not mere obligation. It's a relationship that would be strained even among blood relatives, but Segal portrays George Milton as a man who still holds a dream for a better life even while coping with a brutal world on his own behalf and on behalf of his feeble minded childhood friend.

With very few bells and whistles, the design of a set can dramatically convey a mood. This film gives a telling example of how mood and theme can be conveyed through light, shade and texture.

Almost from the beginning we get the creepy feeling that something is not going to go well for George and Lenny from the somber tones of the world in which we find them. Visually, one can almost feel the despair of the Great Depression and its affect on the down-and-out who had to find some way to survive then, however meanly.

I recommend reading Steinbeck's humane masterpiece and viewing several other film adaptations of it to see the many levels at which this story can be told and interpreted.