john steinbeck classic tale of two depression era migrant worker resourceful george milton and lumber lennie small be require reading and or view ( not a good substitute for steinbeck and but if you must ) . this version main weakness be staginess . strangely and lewis milestone frames much of the film with obviously stag bit not present in even the original play . less a problem be contrivance like the small flea power dust storm emit when burgess meredith ( a george ) examine his bunk . still and this cast be the standard by which all subsequent characterization have be measure and with lon chaney jr. ( a lennie ) be especially memorable . of mouse and men ( 12/30/39 ) lewis milestone ~ burgess meredith and lon chaney jr. and roman bohnen and betty field .