Of Mice and Men (1939 film)

Of Mice and Men
Theatrical release lobby card
Directed by	Lewis Milestone
Screenplay by	Eugene Solow
Based on	Of Mice and Men by John Steinbeck
Produced by	Lewis Milestone
Starring	Burgess Meredith Betty Field Lon Chaney Jr. Charles Bickford Noah Beery Jr.
Cinematography	Norbert Brodine
Edited by	Bert Jordan
Music by	Aaron Copland
Production company	Hal Roach Studios
Distributed by	United Artists
Release date	December 30, 1939 (1939-12-30) (USA)
Running time	107 minutes
Country	United States
Language	English
Budget	$336,524[1]
Box office	$676,292[1]

Of Mice and Men is a 1939 American drama film based on the 1937 play of the same name, which itself was based on the novella of the same name by author John Steinbeck. The film stars Burgess Meredith, Betty Field, and Lon Chaney Jr., and features Charles Bickford, Roman Bohnen, Bob Steele, and Noah Beery Jr.^[2] The film tells the story of two men, George and his intellectually disabled partner Lennie, trying to survive during the dustbowl of the 1930s and pursuing a dream of owning their own ranch instead of always working for others. Starring in the lead roles were relative Hollywood newcomer Burgess Meredith as George and veteran actor Lon Chaney Jr. (the son of famed silent film actor Lon Chaney) as Lennie. Chaney had appeared in more than 50 films by that point in his career, but Of Mice and Men was his first major role. Betty Field's role as Mae was her breakthrough role in film.

The film, produced by the Hal Roach Studios, was adapted by Eugene Solow and directed by Lewis Milestone. It was nominated for four Academy Awards, including Best Picture. The musical score was by American composer Aaron Copland. Released in 1939, it appeared in the 1980s and 1990s in revival theater houses, video and cable, and it earned a following of fans (both audience members and film critics) who praised the movie for its interpretation of the Steinbeck novella.