Edison, the Man (1940): Cast & Plot
Edison, the Man is a 1940 historical drama directed by Clarence Brown, starring Spencer Tracy as Thomas A. Edison, Eve Kendall and Lynne Overman. It runs 1 hour 47 minutes.
- Released
- Runtime
- 1h 47m (107 min)
- Director
- Clarence Brown
- Original language
-
English - Studio
- Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
- After the credits
- No No extra scene
What Is Edison, the Man About?
The premise of Edison, the Man without spoilers. The whole story is in the plot summary further down.
Spencer Tracy delivers his most acclaimed turn, portraying Thomas Edison in a reflective saga. Fifty years after the light‑bulb breakthrough, an 82‑year‑old Edison recounts his journey, beginning at twenty‑two when he arrives in New York and begins developing an early stock‑ticker device, setting the stage for his later inventions.
Edison, the Man Themes & Keywords
· 48 tags- thomas edison character
- sense of time
- inventor
- stock market
- banquet
- phonograph
- manager
- telegraph
- deafness
- jubilee
- year 1992
- autograph
+36 more Show fewer
- year 1882
- research
- glass blower
- media frenzy
- telegram
- newark new jersey
- aspiring reporter
- laboratory
- year 1929
- pie
- apprentice
- workshop
- umbrella
- skepticism
- science
- newspaper
- newspaper story
- morse code
- montage
- marriage proposal
- interview
- hiding place
- baby
- race against time
- poverty
- patent
- new york city
- invention
- idealist
- genius
- electric light
- dictaphone
- determination
- sequel
- based on true story
- character name in title
Edison, the Man Cast & Characters
Spencer Tracy leads the cast as Thomas A. Edison, with Eve Kendall as Marion Estelle Edison and Lynne Overman as Bunt Cavatt. Directed by Clarence Brown; 83 actors are credited in all.
- Director Clarence Brown
-
Spencer Tracy as Thomas A. Edison - Eve Kendall as Marion Estelle Edison
- Lynne Overman as Bunt Cavatt
-
Henry Travers as Ben Els
Also Starring in Edison, the Man
· 79 more- Gene Lockhart Mr. Taggart
- Charles Coburn General Powell
- Irving Bacon Sheriff
- Billy Bletcher Reporter
- Paul Hurst Sheriff
- Byron Foulger Edwin Hall
- Sam Harris Party Guest
- William H. O'Brien Waiter
- George Chandler Gold Exchange Clerk
- Charles Lane Second Lecturer
- Harry Strang Minor Role
- Emmett Vogan Secretary
- Addison Richards Mr. Johnson
- Milton Kibbee Workman
- Cyril Ring Reporter
- Edmund Mortimer Party Guest
Show all 83 cast members Show fewer cast members
- Wilfred Lucas Broker
- James Conaty Party Guest
- Edgar Dearing Policeman
- Charles Trowbridge Clark
- Forbes Murray Broker
- Frank Faylen Galbreath
- Edward Keane Lecturer
- Edward Hearn Broker
- Grant Mitchell Snade
- Edward Earle Broker
- John Dilson Broker
- Edward LeSaint Doctor
- Erville Alderson First Lecturer
- Jimmy Conlin Waiter
- Hooper Atchley Broker
- Harry C. Bradley Preacher
- Eric Mayne Party Guest
- James Carlisle Party Guest
- Arthur Aylesworth Bigelow
- Donald Douglas Jordan
- Hans Moebus Party Guest
- Milton Parsons 'Acid' Graham
- Bruce Mitchell Coachman
- Louis Natheaux Broker
- Edward Biby Party Guest
- John Butler Mechanic
- Alexander Pollard Butler
- Helen Dickson Minor Role
- Harlan Briggs Bisbee
- Nick Copeland Reporter
- Nell Craig Woman
- Maurice Costello Broker
- Hale Hamilton Broker
- Felix Bressart Michael Simon
- Charles Waldron First Commissioner
- Rita Johnson Mary Stilwell
- George Lessey Toastmaster
- Arthur Stuart Hull Broker
- Lloyd Whitlock Broker
- Eddie Gribbon Cashier
- Gene Reynolds Jimmy Price
- George Meader Minister
- Harold Minjir Blair
- Jack Daley Minor Role
- Robert Winkler Newsboy
- Joe Whitehead Minor Role
- Frank Whitbeck Trailer Narrator (voice)
- William Arnold Minor Role
- Arthur Belasco Broker
- Thomas Pogue Minor Role
- Ralph McCullough Reporter
- Tom Mahoney Policeman
- George Ovey Lamplighter
- Ann Gillis Nancy Grey
- Peter Godfrey Ashton
- Guy D'Ennery Lundstrom
- Count Stefenelli Party Guest
- Walter Fenner Man at Banquet
- Harry Humphrey Broker
- Jay Ward John Schofield
- Alex Novinsky Party Guest
- Fritzi Brunette Minor Role
- Howard Chase Minor Role
Edison, the Man Plot Summary
What happens in Edison, the Man from start to finish, spoilers included, with a timeline of 12 key events. The opening is below; the full summary is a 2-minute read.
Spoilers ahead
In 1869, Thomas A. Edison is eager to be more than a tramp telegraph operator, and he heads to New York at the urging of his old friend, Bunt Cavatt. He finds work for Bunt’s uncle, Ben Els, and begins pitching his ideas to financiers who might back his restless creativity. He first targets the ambitious Mr. Taggart, a financier who shows little interest in funding what he calls “green electrical workers.” Yet the door opens a crack when General Powell, the president of Western Union, takes a chance on Edison’s vision and potential.
Full summary
The whole story of Edison, the Man, scene by scene
Edison, the Man Also Known As
9 alternative titles, including “Эдисон, человек” and “Эдисон”.
- Also known as
-
- Эдисон, человек
- Эдисон
- Edison, el hombre
- Il romanzo di una vita
- Edison, o Mago da Luz
- Der große Edison
- La Vie de Thomas Edison
- O Mago da Luz
- Edison, uppfinnaren
Seen Edison, the Man?
Movies Like Edison, the Man
Films with a similar story, tone or audience, including Young Tom Edison, Tesla and The Current War.
Edison, the Man FAQ: Cast, Runtime & Release Date
Runtime, release date, director, cast and post-credit scenes of Edison, the Man, each answered in a sentence.
How long is Edison, the Man?
Edison, the Man runs 1 hour 47 minutes (107 minutes).
When was Edison, the Man released?
Edison, the Man was released on May 10, 1940.
Who directed Edison, the Man?
Edison, the Man was directed by Clarence Brown.
More films by Clarence Brown Who is in the cast of Edison, the Man?
Edison, the Man stars Spencer Tracy as Thomas A. Edison, Eve Kendall as Marion Estelle Edison and Lynne Overman as Bunt Cavatt, among 83 credited actors.
Does Edison, the Man have a post-credit scene?
No. Edison, the Man has no extra scene during or after the credits.
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