about Gene Kelly character *SPOILER*
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Inherit the Wind
nightgaunts — 15 years ago(September 29, 2010 12:31 AM)
Someone has pointed out in another post that Gene Kelly's char is the real bad guy of the film. The last dialogue with Tracy seems to go in the same direction.
At the end Kelly says something about being alone by himself as a self decision.
IMHO this clearly links to an early line said by Tracy to the prosecuted guy. Tracy asks him to decide whatever he prefers: walking alone along the street or knocking a door and telling that he could think and act as the rest likes (and becoming not alone anymore).
So at the end it seems that Kelly is doing what he wants in order to be himself other than being into what people like.
what am I missing? any coments? -
DrEinstein — 15 years ago(October 01, 2010 07:02 PM)
Good observation.
Cates (and Drummond at one pointtied to a "sour apple tree") was lonely because of his convictions, Hornbeck because of a lack of convictions. Maybe the authors are commenting not on the result, but the cause.
Maybe Hornbeck is inheriting the wind. -
jerrylee02 — 15 years ago(October 27, 2010 06:05 AM)
It's like Fred McMurry's character in "The Caine Mutiny". They are the first to go stir up the crap, but ultimately let others fight thier fight so they don't have to suffer the consequences. Both were cowards.
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SoderberghFanboy — 13 years ago(May 07, 2012 12:13 AM)
I found Hornbeck to be funny and witty to an extent but also quite cruel. His arrogance and condescending attitude contributes nothing and neither does is reveling in cynicism. I really ended up not liking him because of his simplified view on who Drummond was, making his "lack of passion" as Tracy's character said even more insufferable. He is the kind of person who ends up alone in life. Very much like some of the liberal arts college students I see. Powerful film, amazing performance by Kelly.
"What will happen to us in time?"
"Time starts now." -Bullitt -
Edward_de_Vere — 13 years ago(May 13, 2012 07:49 AM)
H.L. Mencken was every bit cynical as the fictional character he inspired, but was never at a loss for close friendships. I'm sure that in the fictional universe of
Inherit the Wind
, Hornbeck would have been a welcome guest at many parties for his hilarious observations and one-liners. -
gerrywos — 13 years ago(August 14, 2012 06:16 PM)
Just saw it and i found him to be cynical,sarcastic and rotten to the core.To mean he was just as bad as Brady,he doesnt tolerate people that have different views to him.Actually worse as Brady in his own mind is trying to "help" people of different views whereas Hornback just mocks and sneers those of a different opinion/outlook
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BobStage — 13 years ago(January 31, 2013 02:20 AM)
Hornbeck was actually my favourite character of the film, but not because I necessarily agreed with everything he said. Hornbeck was constantly the source of humour against Brady and the more bigoted members of the town. He made light of the whole situation but was ultimately an ally to the real hero of the movie.
But then when Drummond ultimately turns on Hornbeck for his own lack of passion or belief, it's a brilliant scene. What really gets me is when Drummond starts his "you poor slob, you're all alone" monologue. The look in Hornbeck's eyes, even as he's turned away from Drummond, flicker with a sense of despair that Hornbeck tries to hide behind his facade of aloof cynicism. He's aware that he is alone, and what's more, he's lonely. When Drummond coldly remarks how no-one will give a damn, which implies himself as well, Hornbeck flinches, eyes blinking as though holding back tears that confirm his secret fear. And then when Drummond finishes and turns back to packing his things, Hornbeck tries to smirk his way out of the situation and say something witty. But he ultimately can't, and he says something that reveals much more of his own anxiety than he probably meant. Just listen to his voice and his attitude when he starts to speak his final line, and how he concludes that line. It's not a triumphant comeback. It's a sad admittance of defeat, which leaves Hornbeck to leave the film as a much more tragic figure than when he first appeared. For that final scene alone, Gene Kelly deserved an Oscar nomination.
I ended up feeling sorry for Hornbeck during this scene, because in that style made famous by Oscar Wilde, Hornbeck puts on a front to avoid his own insecurities and lack of conviction. Drummon and Brady believed in what they were doing and are thus made whole by their emotions and convictions, while Hornbeck is, to quote Drummond, just a ghost. -
Scott-101 — 13 years ago(March 02, 2013 11:33 AM)
I thought the confrontation between Hornbreck and Drummond rang a little false for me, because I never saw Hornbeck as that bad of a guy or the two as people who were that opposed to each other.
Hornbeck is cynical but that's what journalists are supposed to be, and he was clearly passionate about that since of uncovering truth, so it's not like he was entirely rudderless. He also cared about Cates' own good, just like Drummond did.
The only way I can realistically justify that scene is that it's two guys who were both pretty beaten down after a long couple of days that just let get their tempers get the better of them.
Disclaimer: This IMDB user places less importance than others on spelling/grammar Twitter @okonh0wp -
sul-4 — 13 years ago(March 04, 2013 03:53 PM)
I've thought of this from another angle mentioned in the "Fredrick March" thread.
I think that the final barb at Hornbeck was directed by Kramer at his audience.
In other thread, after seeing film again after several years, I feel that the script was too manipulative to make Harrison a buffoon, and Drummond his intellectual superior in every way.
We then can look down at our noses at the fine citizens of the town, how simple minded and silly they are. For much of the film, Hornbeck certainly voices my POV many times, a commentary on how ignorant "those people" are.
Drummond's shot at the end was a slap in the face to those of us that shared his POV. -
DrEinstein — 12 years ago(August 10, 2013 11:20 AM)
I think sul-4 was getting close to my assessment.
I think Hornbeck represents a certain element of American society (and movie audience) that sees the trial as a circus. Drummond and Brady understand the gravity of the conflict. They are each passionate about the outcome. Drummond can't understand Hornbeck's lack of conviction. He has more admiration for Brady than Hornbeck.
But, Hornbeck isn't necessarily wrong, just cynical. Like many in the public, he is more attracted to the sensationalism of the trial than the true meaning ("what happened here has no meaning") and ramifications (although Menkin certainly would have). -
mdonln — 11 years ago(February 01, 2015 07:53 PM)
That's a possibility but I saw it as the reporter not really having a 'side' or convictions or a cause. His objective is always the story. This leaves him alone in that sense.
The earlier comment about being alone was said to the teacher. In life, if you speak out for what you believe you are often on the 'outs'. This is why many people prefer to 'go with the flow'. It's not easy to stand up for your principles and not everyone is willing or able to do it. If you want to always be accepted and embraced into the fold, it can be done but at the risk of not being true to yourself.
I'm not saying it's wrong but I didn't feel the two 'alone' conversations were related.