All the books by John Steinbeck adapted to cinema and television, ranked

The film opens with Tom Joad, released from prison and hitchhiking his way back to his parents’ family farm in Oklahoma. Casy was the preacher who baptized Tom, but now Casy has ‘lost the spirit’ and his faith. A local boy, hired for the purpose, is shown knocking down Muley’s house with a Caterpillar tractor. They pack everything into a dilapidated 1926 Hudson ‘Super Six’ sedan adapted to serve as a truck in order to make the long journey to the promised land of California.

The plot line is loosely based on the biblical story of Cain and Abel. After Adam’s idealistic plans for a long-haul vegetable shipping business venture end in a loss of thousands of dollars, Cal decides to enter the bean-growing business, as a way of recouping the money his father lost.

Two migrant field workers in California on their plantation during the Great Depression—George Milton, an intelligent but uneducated man, and Lennie Small, a bulky, strong man but mentally disabled—are in Soledad on their way to another part of California. They hope to one day attain the dream of settling down on their own piece of land.

During the Great Depression, the quick-witted George Milton looks after his physically strong yet mentally disabled companion Lennie Small. George, aware that Curley’s wife will bring trouble upon the men due to her sexual allure and persistent flirting, strictly instructs Lennie to keep away and not to look at her.

Following the Civil War, Union veteran Cyrus Trask has two sons: Adam, a gentle, idealistic soul; and Charles, a hellraiser. Cyrus favors Adam and Charles is very aware of it, creating friction between the brothers. Cyrus, by now an influential diplomat who has amassed a fortune by embezzling from the government, pulls strings to get Adam into West Point. Adam rebels, however, and goes off to lead the life of a vagabond.

When the Germans invade Norway their Commandant and the town Mayor confront each other, attempting to maintain civility as far as possible. When the army tries to orgnanize townspeople to work for them sabotage which is at first humorous turns serious, resulting in death on both sides.

The story is about the skid row denizens of Monterey, California, during World War II. Doc, a self-employed marine biologist, lives in a dockside warehouse and researches octopi. Suzy DeSoto, a girl from the local bordello, is working there only out of necessity. A collection of linked vignettes describes life on Cannery Row. Doc and Suzy don’t quite fit in, but are accepted.

The story is about the skid row denizens of Monterey, California, during World War II. Doc, a self-employed marine biologist, lives in a dockside warehouse and researches octopi. Suzy DeSoto, a girl from the local bordello, is working there only out of necessity. A collection of linked vignettes describes life on Cannery Row. Doc and Suzy don’t quite fit in, but are accepted.

Alice Chicoy is the wife of driver Johnny. He owns a small, rundown bus that makes side trips. Alice is the owner of a little restaurant and likes liquor a bit too much. Unhappy with what has become of her life, she decides to surprise her husband midway through his bus trip.

A young boy, Tom Tiflin, is given a small pony by his father. Tom asks the stable helper, Billy Buck, to help him raise and train it so that it can be ridden. During a rain storm the pony gets out of the stable and, having been soaked, becomes fevered. Despite Buck’s best efforts to nurse the pony it develops strangles and requires a tracheotomy. Shortly after the procedure, the pony escapes from the farm.

A young boy, Tom Tiflin, is given a small pony by his father. Tom asks the stable helper, Billy Buck, to help him raise and train it so that it can be ridden. During a rain storm the pony gets out of the stable and, having been soaked, becomes fevered. Despite Buck’s best efforts to nurse the pony it develops strangles and requires a tracheotomy. Shortly after the procedure, the pony escapes from the farm.

Danny, a poor northern Californian Mexican-American, inherits two houses from his grandfather in the central coastal area of California, so Pilon and his poor, idle friends move in. One of the houses burns down, so Danny allows his friends to move into the other house with him, and in gratitude Pilon tries to make life better for his friend.