*INHERIT THE WIND (1960) Townspeople Picket and similar items

Vintage original 11 x 14 in. US lobby card from the 1960s historical drama biopic, INHERIT THE WIND, released in 1960 by United Artists and directed by Stanley Kramer. Based on a real-life case in 1925, two great lawyers argue the case for and against a Tennessee science teacher accused of the crime of teaching evolution. The image depicts an exterior night shot of a large group of townspeople picketing with signs as they burn an effigy. It is unrestored in very fine condition as shown. Stanley Kramer was advised against casting Fredric March and Spencer Tracy in the lead roles as it was felt young audiences would not want to see veteran stars. The buzz about March's and Tracy's performances spread around the studio lot and Hollywood to the point that a lot of extras made their way to the set just to see the action. In one instance, the extras were applauding so much at one of March's dramatic speeches that they ruined the take by not waiting until the end. To heighten the tension of Tracy's final summation to the jury, the scene was filmed in a single take.