Northern California provides the backdrop for this freewheeling John Steinbeck tale about a gaggle of reckless-but-lovable hobos and their seriocomic attempts at conformity. These derelicts of primarily Spanish lineage eat, drink, filch, wander, and sleep outdoors. Led by the... [More]

Northern California provides the backdrop for this freewheeling John Steinbeck tale about a gaggle of reckless-but-lovable hobos and their seriocomic attempts at conformity. These derelicts of primarily Spanish lineage eat, drink, filch, wander, and sleep outdoors. Led by the philosophically errant Pilon (Spencer Tracy), they are unified by a mutual disdain for work. Pilon's sidekick, Danny (John Garfield), disrupts their bohemian subculture when he inherits two houses, plans to wed Dolores "Sweets" Ramirez (Hedy Lamarr), and otherwise threatens to cast a ray of respectability and security on these misfits. Pilon, who is after the same girl, considers stealing Danny's money until Danny becomes injured in a drunken brawl, forcing the two to reevaluate their lives--and their friendship. Garfield, Lamarr, and Tracy all turn in darling performances as director Victor Fleming (GONE WITH THE WIND, THE WIZARD OF OZ) guides these lovable characters through rivalries and envy to marriage and happiness. [Less]