Of Mice and Men (1939 film) Of Mice and Men (1939 film) Of Mice and Men is a 1939 American drama film based on the 1937 play based on the novella of the same title by American author John Steinbeck, and starring Burgess Meredith, Betty Field and Lon Chaney Jr. The supporting cast features Charles Bickford, Roman Bohnen, Bob Steele and Noah Beery Jr. The film tells the story of two men, George and his mentally-challenged partner Lennie, trying to survive during the dustbowl of the 1930s and pursuing a dream of owning their own ranch, instead of always working for others. Starring in the lead
Of Mice and Men (play) keeps Lennie out of trouble, but we soon see this is a slippery slope. Lennie's displays of love result in several deaths ranging from mice and puppies to a beautiful woman. Eventually, in the face of a lynch mob, George kills Lennie to put him out of his misery. Steinbeck adapted the play from the novel. The play had its world premiere circa October 1937 by the San Francisco Theatre Union The play premiered on Broadway at the Music Box Theatre on November 23, 1937 and closed in May 1938 after 207 performances. Directed by George S. Kaufman, the cast