Dec 31, 2009

The Grapes of Wrath | Adaptations

The Grapes of Wrath had not been on bookstands for long before Hollywood producer Darryl Zanuck brought out a screen version starring Henry Fonda as Tom Joad. The movie, directed by John Ford (who would go on to be one of Hollywood's most celebrated directors), was a box-office success. It was nominated for an Academy Award as best picture. Fonda received a nomination as best actor; Ford won an Oscar as best director; and Jane Darwell, who played Ma Joad, won the best supporting actress award. Steinbeck himself helped with the production.

The structure of the novel was...