The Grapes of Wrath: Henry Fonda’s Hardy Depression-era Workwear as Tom Joad

Henry Fonda as Tom Joad in The Grapes of Wrath (1940) Vitals Henry Fonda as Tom Joad, ex-convict and migrant laborer Oklahoma to California via Route 66, Summer 1939 Film: The Grapes of Wrath Release Date: January 24, 1940 Director: John Ford Costume Designer: Gwen Wakeling WARNING! Spoilers ahead! Background All roads point to The Grapes of Wrath today, from honoring its star Henry Fonda’s real-life U.S. Navy service during World War II for Veterans Day to the 100th anniversary of when historic Route 66 was designated on November 11, 1926. Based on John Steinbeck’s classic novel of the same name, The Grapes of Wrath follows the itinerant Joad family journeying from Oklahoma to California in search of better opportunities during the Great Depression. The story’s deep association with the Mother Road even led to its false (but still relevant) working title “Highway 66” to avoid any potential concerns with bringing Steinbeck’s politically radical novel to the screen. After paying…

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