Of Mice and Men

<p><em>Of Mice and Men</em> is one of the most haunting passionate films in Hollywood history. Based on the tragic novella by John Steinbeck it was a Best Picture Oscar nominee in 1939 Hollywood's Greatest Year and shattered taboos that film producers had never dared to challenge.</p><p> </p><p>Now based on studio archives accessed for the first time in 80 years the full story of this film is finally told: the censorship battles the secret screen tests the day-to-day shooting and the controversial critical and popular response. The book also candidly examines the private lives of the film's cast - particularly its three brilliant stars Burgess Meredith Betty Field and Lon Chaney Jr. - and its production staff headed by its indomitable director Lewis Milestone.</p><p> </p><p>Accompanied by over 110 illustrations this book takes the reader into the heart and soul of one of the most powerful and beloved films of Cinema's Golden Age.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p><p><strong>Gregory William Mank</strong> is an acclaimed film historian whose books include <em>It's Alive!</em> <em>The Classic Cinema Saga of Frankenstein</em>; <em>Bela Lugosi and Boris Karloff: A Haunting Collaboration; </em>and the two-volume <em>Women in Horror Films 1930s and 1940s. </em>His most recent books are <em>Angels and Ministers of Grace Defend Us! </em>and his first novel <em>Frankenstein's Witch: St. Lizzie Pray for Us. </em>He's written and narrated the audio commentaries for such films as <em>Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde</em> (1931) <em>The Black Cat</em> (1934) <em>Cat</em> <em>People</em> (1942) and <em>The Lodger</em> (1944) written scores of magazine articles and appeared on many documentaries including the recent theatrical release <em>Boris Karloff: The Man Behind the Monster</em> (2021). The winner of four Rondo awards he lives in Delta PA with his wife of 50-years Barbara. </p>