During the chase scene in the earlier film George, Lennie and the hunting pack of furious workers are never seen in the same shot, this could be due to a lack of money in which to fund the onsite filming; therefore by not having them in the same shot the scene could be back projected in a studio saving money. Back Projection is the process by which an actor or actress will perform their part on the spot whilst a video of the surroundings is projection behind them.
However the chasing sequence in the later film is in a field so must be shot onsite making this more expensive and worthwhile to have a shot with both chasers and George and Lennie together. Before the second pursuit George and Lennie meet with Aunt Clara, she instinctively knows the nature of their visit. Also the way in which Lennie mimics George’s actions shows his liking of him and the way in which he sees George as his hero. Later in this scene George shows his frustration about how Lennie is causing difficultly to his working life. He says to Aunt Clara how if he did not have him as a working companion he could spend his fifty dollars how he pleased and do whatever he wanted. In the earlier film this complaining is directed towards Lennie himself.
George then leaves Lennie sitting on the steps of Aunt Clara’s house; he catches a ride in a wagon and move towards the city. The wagon on which George gets a ride will have been shot on site. I feel it is easier somewhat for George to leave Lennie in this film because he knows Aunt Clara is there to take care of him, he could not have done this in the 39 film because Aunt Clara had died. This additional scene which has been added to the 1981 television film was in my opinion included to give an insight into the back story and aid the understanding of the viewers about George’s frustration.
Unlike the earlier film the colour version of Of Mice and Men is to be shown on American television rather than at the cinema this is why they chose to superimpose the credits. The superimposing of credits is when credits are shown at the bottom of the television screen whilst the action continues above. This was done to prevent American viewers from changing the television channel and the ratings of this particular channel from dropping.
The credits in the black and white movie were filmed using back projection and a wipe method which is when the one set of credits replaces the earlier ones as an object passes the moving train. After these finish the famous phase from Robert Burns’ poem To a Mouse is projected onto the door of the train the phrase is as follows:
“The best laid schemes Of Mice and Men gang aft a gley and leave us naught but grief and pain”
This short phrase taken from Robert Burns’ poem implies how like in his poem the best laid schemes of mice and men often go wrong.
Below this the name John Steinbeck is written using a font somewhat similar to someone’s handwriting. This gives the impression that he has approved the making of this film.
After the chases have occurred in both films George and Lennie make their way towards ranch number 3 in which they have got work. In the 39 film a bus is their means of transport, the vehicle used is a mock bus with back projection. The first shot of the bus arriving is known as an establishing shot this gives the viewers an idea about the setting of this particular section.
George and Lennie are next shown sitting on the bus discussing how they got their working passes and how Lennie forgot. This next shot of them talking is a two shot; this is when a close up video is taken of one character followed by the other.
Then again in the 1981 George and Lennie travelled to the ranch by walking along the railway lines. This symbolises that they are on a journey and going via the quickest route. During the journey to the ranch Dvorak’s song symphony number 9 “from the new world” is played this is another hint that all is not going to end well because this song is about going home not to where you live though but going home to god, dying. This was to be directed at Lennie.
After their ride on the bus George and Lennie go to the brush to rest for the night and have a few tins of beans as supper. However just as all is going well Lennie asks George for some ketchup to have with his beans. The problem is that George has no ketchup and he tells this to Lennie. Unfortunately Lennie does not seem to understand George and he repeats several times again about how he wants ketchup. George loses his temper and says about how Lennie always wants the things that they do not have furthermore he bangs his spoon emphasising his frustration. Lennie is upset by this and he shows this by making several defensive gestures, he curls his body together as if protecting himself from George and by screwing up his eyes he gives the vibe of upsetness. In addition Lennie even threatens to go and live by himself in the mountains
During all of this drama no music whatsoever is used to help portray the characters emotions. Also we know that this scene has been filmed upon a set due to the fact that echoes can be heard of the characters voices.
Finally in this opening sequence George tells Lennie once again about their dream of setting up their own ranch with rabbits, alfalfa etc.
The scene in the brush in the 1981 film is mostly the same as the 39 film except for several things one of them being the fact that the scene filmed onsite. Another is that a lot more music is used to emphasis the video. One song being the “Red River Valley” a song also used earlier in the movie, this is particularly used when George describes their dream ranch to Lennie whilst sitting by the water. Along with the music insect noises are also played.
After studying both opening sections I would say that I prefer the 1939 black and white film, I would say this because it is more closely linked to the book and it is easier to compare them. Whereas the 81 film is more based on the 39 film rather than the book by John Steinbeck.
Vishal Mehta 11SM
