Weekend TV : Douglas, Robards in ‘Inherit the Wind’

Two legends of the silver screen jump to the small screen this weekend to resurrect two legends of the courtroom in one of this country’s most famous legal battles.

Kirk Douglas and Jason Robards star as attorneys, based on three-time presidential candidate and fundamentalist orator William Jennings Bryan and famed defense attorney Clarence Darrow, in NBC’s remake of “Inherit the Wind,” (Sunday at 9 p.m. on Channels 4, 36 and 39).

This re-enactment of the 1925 Scopes “monkey trial” pits the power of blind religious faith against the right to teach Darwin’s theory of evolution in public schools.

Meanwhile, local public television stations will wrap up their spring subscription drives this weekend with a series of entertainment specials. KCET Channel 28 will try to win subscribers today with more than 12 hours of musical favorites.

Sunday, the pledge drive goes out with “A Grand Night: The Performing Arts Salute Public Television,” (8 p.m. on Channel 28, 9 p.m. Channels 50 and 15). Richard Thomas hosts the evening of music and dance from the Chicago Theater.