I’m beginning To Kill a Mockingbird with my Sophomores this week and thought I would do some research on the film starring Gregory Peck. If you’ve never read the novel by Harper Lee, you must put it on your list. It is an amazing, timeless story that teaches us about tolerance. Lee only wrote one novel, and some even questioned whether she actually wrote it or not (her best friend was Truman Capote and it was rumored he penned it for her). She didn’t even want to be involved in writing the screenplay for the film version that came out 2 years after the novel, in 1962.
Here are some facts about the film. Enjoy your Wednesday friends!
–Although Gregory Peck’s inspirational performance as Atticus Finch turned out to be a perfect highlight to his long career, Rock Hudson was actually the studio’s first choice for the role. James Stewart was also offered the part, but told the producers he believed the script was “too liberal”, and feared the film would be controversial.
–The courtroom is a recreation of the interior of the Monroe County Courthouse in Monroeville, Alabama, Harper Lee’s hometown. Prior to filming, production designers traveled to Monroeville, took photographs and measurements, and created a near duplicate on soundstages at Universal Studios.
–The watch used in the film was a prop, but Harper Lee gave Gregory Peck her father’s watch after the film was completed because he reminded her so much of him.
–Phillip Alford told his mother that he did not want to go to the auditions for the part of Jem Finch but when his mother told him he would miss half a day of school, he immediately decided to go to them.
–Brock Peters started to cry while shooting the testifying scene, without rehearsing it this way, and Gregory Peck said that he had to look past him, instead of looking him in the eye, without choking up himself.
–It has been reported that this film was Gregory Peck’s favorite work.
–The first scene that Gregory Peck shot showed him returning home from his character’s law office while his children ran to greet him. Harper Lee was a guest on the set that day, and Peck noticed her crying after the scene was filmed. “Why are you crying?” Peck asked. Peck had looked just like her late father, the model for Atticus, Lee explained; Peck even had a little round pot belly like her father’s. “That’s not a pot belly, Harper,” Peck told her, “That’s great acting.”
–Mary Badham (Scout) and Gregory Peck (Atticus) became close during filming and kept in contact for the rest of his life. He always called her Scout.
–The character of Dill is purportedly based upon Truman Capote, who had been a childhood friend of Harper Lee when he was sent to live with relatives in Lee’s hometown each summer. Truman Capote, in turn, based one of his characters in his literary work “Other Voices, Other Rooms” upon his recollection of Harper Lee.
–Robert Duvall stayed out of the sun for six weeks and dyed his hair blond for the role of Boo Radley who, according to the story, spent much of his life as a recluse. The character of Arthur “Boo” Radley is based in part on Harper’s Lee’s recollection of Alfred “Son” Bouleware,” who lived with his parents in a dilapidated, mostly boarded up house just a few doors away from the Lee home. He was kept secluded in the house by his father, following a vandalism incident in which young Alfred was involved. Described in the book and in the movie as leaving the house only at night because the sun hurt his eyes, this would indicate that Boo Radley was a person of Albinism (lack of pigment in the skin, in the hair, and in the irises of the eyes.)
–Robert Duvall’s first movie.
–Mary Badham became the youngest girl to receive an Oscar nomination, ironically losing the award to another child actress, Patty Duke in The Miracle Worker (1962).
–Gregory Peck’s 9 minute summation speech was nailed in one take.
loved loved loved this.
I saw this movie as a young person and it has stayed with me.
I really enjoyed reading the outtakes so to speak here. So interesting. I love Gregory Peck, he seemed such a gentleman.
xxx
Thanks Courtney! I hope you can visit again…great history about what the novel meant to you. Kori xoxo
I adore this book, and the movie. It was required reading for sophomore year, but I had read it a few years before. My parents had bought me the book, along with The Outsiders, which we had to read in 8th grade. I loved already knowing the stories, getting to re-read them for school, and having my own copy that I knew wouldn’t have to be returned for future class use. 🙂
It’s amazing that the 9minute speech was delivered in one take. Though, I think for it to have been done any other way would probably have detracted from it. Too cool.
This is my favorite book and movie of all times. My darling daughter actually bought me a signed 1st edition for Christmas, a treasure to be sure as Ms. Lee was shy and not fond of crowds, so autographed copies are harder to come by.
My son’s middle name…Atticus. Gregory Peck use to be my dream date. Thanks for sharing this lovely book and the trivia behind the story.
I remember watching this movie in High school and being like Woa this is good. The book was great too. I still can’t believe Boo was Robert Duvall. I like the new background and header too!! =)
I’ve seen the movie and yes, Mr Peck is a handsome devil, but I don’t like the glasses!
I remember this book from high school! That’s so neat that you get to teach and study famous literature for a living =)
I remember not being too into this book, but then again I wasn’t into too much back then. Maybe I’ll re read it!
One of my all time favorites…movie AND book. Excellent in every way.
By the way, Harper Lee always claimed to have been well into writing a second novel, but said her apartment was vandalized one night and the manuscript stolen. She said she didn’t have the heart to start anew. I, personally, think there was no second novel, that she was simply afraid she wouldn’t be able to top her first…and she was probably right – how do you top perfection?
I can’t believe I’m going to admit this but I’ve never read the book nor seen the movie! *gasp* lol Hopefully I’ll drag myself out from under the musicals and give this one a whirl!
Thanks so much Stefanie! I love this novel so much and am so excited to teach it! Kori xoxo
Oh i absolutely love this film. I first read the book and saw the film when we studied it at school, and i fell in love with it straight away. It has such a great message and it reminds us all not to judge on first impressions.
Great post! xx
One of my all time favorites!! You always find the best posts and pics!!
OMG…My favorite movie and book…ever! I have sooo many issues with this movie. First of all…Gregory Peck…can you say handsome beyond anything? The injustice that this movie portrays is heart breaking. The scene were Atticus is sitting under the lamp, guarding Bill Robinson and the angry mob comes to confront him and Scout starts to recognize some of the men in the mob and don’t even get me started on the music…
Isn’t it strange that she only wrote this one book? I also have her short bio “Mockingbird, a portrait of Harper Lee”. Thanks for making my day..(((hug)))
bunny
ps. a few years ago this novel was the 2nd most issued book in history…the bible was 1st.
You always have such interesting trivia 🙂 One of my favorite books and films. Both are must!
Hands down my favorite book and movie of all time! I thank you sweet friend for the behind the scenes facts! Gregory Peck, such a gorgeous, handsome man…sigh!!
Love and hugs,
Karyn
This is a GREAT book!!! Is it still on the required reading list – or was this one that you picked?
~WM
My all time fave movie.When shooting the opening scene,when Atticus is walking home with his kids, Peck noticed Harper Lee standing behind the camera and her eyes were glistening. He was very pleased to think his performance had moved her to tears, and mentioned it to her after the shoot.’Oh it was just that you reminded me so much of my father’ she said ‘he has a little pot belly just like you!’.
Love the blog ! Found you from receiving two vintage style awards.
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I’ve never seen the movie but the book was great. I love Gregory Peck, so handsome 🙂 Have a great Wednesday 🙂