Were these people blackmailed into making this?

I wondered that as well. A total waste of the talent of Gene Tierney, Slim Summerville and Dana Andrews. And William Tracy must have had to wear a bag over his head for a while after his over-acting here. I'd have gotten a new agent after he landed a gig like this.

In some ways I get the feeling Hollywood tried to piggyback the book/stage success and make some bucks off of the Only-God-Knows-Why popularity of this book. Maybe people in those days were so miserable they enjoyed making fun of the off-the-wall stereotypes.

mojo2004; This was the period of the Holly-Wood Studio System. You were under contract, being paid and DID what you were told to do or NO paycheck! That included the Director JOHN FORD. Don't want to do the film you were under suspension and no CHECKS!

Generally though if you were accommodating and a good soldier you were rewarded with better roles, directing choices and MORE MONEY!

Dana Andrews and Gene Tierney's fortunes were still on the rise when they did Tobacco Road. (Remember, it was three years before Laura.) They were probably glad to get the work, since the source novel was a best-seller, and the stage play is still one of the longest-running non-musicals in Broaway history. While I don't think the movie is up to the level of the play or book, I can't agree that the story is implausible. In fact, I think Bessie's blowing her windfall on a car is extremely consistent with the hillbillies that I've encountered over the years. Ditto her decision to let Dude drive the car to smithereens. As writer Erskine Caldwell has said, these are simple characters who are unable to comprehend the economic changes that are occurring around them, and incapable of surviving the brave new world that has resulted.

I think those who pan this movie are completely missing the art. It's like complaining that Mona Lisa doesn't appear to be anything special, just a plain-jane who wasn't even really trying to smile.

This was probably the original dark comedy. Oh, I am sure some movie buff will correct me on that, there were probably earlier examples... but that's clearly what this is... a dark comedy about southern life. It's filled with satire and ironic vignettes.

It's one of my favorite movies from that era because it's so different. I read the book and saw the play... the movie is a masterpiece inspired by the story. Elizabeth Patterson's ragged voice as Ada, standing on the porch, genuflecting towards hope and faith that something good would come and save them from Tobacco Road. They sheer symbolism reflected in the scene with Lov and Ellie May on the ground, scooting closer and closer... just one little bitty bite, Lov? The almost unnoticeable Granny prodding around in the background without so much as a line in the movie, eventually being mentioned after disappearing completely. Dude Lester... the quintessential dumb redneck idiot. And Jeeter, struggling with doing the right thing in a time where it must have been tempting to do the wrong thing.

I just love everything about this movie and I don't understand why so many people don't get it.