MovieChat Forums > Tobacco Road (1941) Discussion > Novel by Erskine Caldwell

Novel by Erskine Caldwell

posted 16 years ago by ben-thayer
8 replies | jump to latest

I've never seen the film, but having read the novel by Erskine Caldwell I just don't see the point. From what I've read the film adaptation was radically different...and the fact that Gene Tierney plays Ellie May is an indication. From the first page of the novel it's evident that Gene Tierney is *not* Ellie May, as the author goes out of his way to describe her utter lack of physical beauty.

And it appears that most of the posters here dislike the film. Well...read the novel in order to see the *real* story. It's very strange...grotesque and repulsive yet compelling at the same time.

[–] rwsmith29456 16 years ago

I haven't seen the movie and I can't imagine how they could do this book justice now, much less in the 50's.

[–] HarlowMGM 15 years ago

The movie is a wild comedy - it works, it's not the book though, it's played for laughs like the play. Certainly the character of Ellie May was softened and glamourized even if Gene Tierney is covered in dirt for a good portion of the picture like a predecessor of Moonbeam McSwine from LIL ABNER.

[–] xerses13 13 years ago

rwsmith29456; The film was released in 1941.

[–] Devans00 14 years ago

Believe me, there are plenty of .grotesque and repulsive Southern stereotype characters in the movie too. Including a bully cop that literally kicks dude in the pants after recovering the stolen car his pops tried to sell. The movie is so far out, you laugh at their shenanigans despite yourself.

True, the movie did distort or remove some things from the book but you can get the gist of what Erskine Caldwell was trying to get across. The movie down played some of the sexuality and added years to some characters such as the child bride and Dude. The movie also adds a lot more comedy.

Consider the movie influenced by the book and play rather than a faithful copy.

No two persons ever watch the same movie.

[–] krakhouse 14 years ago

Erskine Caldwell is a great writer, all of his books are worth a read.

But even in saying that I have to admit that Gene Tierney is just so damn beautiful (although they pretended that she was not beautiful being too old for a decent marriage and being so dirty) in this that I couldn't imagine her not being a part of the cast. Fun movie, not an exact interpretation.

Don't make me laugh, your kung fu is so so.

[–] nmoney 14 years ago

I know I'm way off of the subject with this reply but I just have to write out loud how much I like the tag of your post: "No two persons ever watch the same movie" Every review ever written should start with this sentence. I keep a running list of my favorite quotes and this will surely be added to my list. Thanks so much for sharing this simple yet oh, so true statement.

I just thought of a variation that I might add to my list of quotes as well:

"No one sees the same movie twice regardless of how many times they watch it"

Not as good yours but it is an experience that I've had many times.

[–] Devans00 14 years ago

nmoney
I just thought of a variation that I might add to my list of quotes as well:

"No one sees the same movie twice regardless of how many times they watch it"

This is such a good quote. Especially true if you watch the same movie at different ages.

The first time you may root for the young punks to stick it to the old folks. Second time you hope the sensible adults give those young brats what they deserve.

You are literally two different people watching the same movie.

The older me tends to pick up tons more nuances (gestures, facial expressions, body language) that I missed the first time around. But then again, I get way more annoyed and impatient at idiotic, nonsensical and illogical behavior these days.

No two persons ever watch the same movie.

[–] damocles_sword 12 years ago

Totally agree. The casting of Gene Tierney as 'Ellie May' is an abomination. Clearly a tangential departure from the Novel.

"Ellie May was edging closer ... her harelip was spread open across her upper teeth... an opening [that] came to an abrupt end almost under her left nostril... her gums were always fiery red as if her mouth were bleeding profusely." Although, in spite of her deformity and simple-mindedness, she obtained that which she desired. A modicum of hope in this bleak Novel/Film.