HENRY FONDA FOR THE DEFENSE: CLARENCE DARROW

In this rarely seen 1974 solo performance by Henry Fonda, we see celebrated Chicago defense attorney Clarence Darrow explicating the challenges—and trials—he encountered in his most important cases, including the infamous Scopes Monkey Trial of 1925 which challenged the teaching of evolution, and the 1924 murder case of Leopold and Loeb. Adapted from a Drama Desk Award-winning play by David W. Rintels, which Rintels adapted from a book by Irving Stone, the show won a primetime Emmy for Rintels and 3 additional nominations, including one for Fonda as Best Actor. An actor who is known for representing pursuits of legal justice, Fonda had perfected his Clarence Darrow on stage for over a year. A lively discussion with actor-filmmaker Peter Josyph will follow the screening.