Episode 130 - East of Eden

James Dean’s first major film was “East of Eden” from 1955. It is the starting point for our coverage of his three big film roles in a career that ended with his death at age 24. John Steinbeck’s novel is the basis for the film. In 1962 Mr. Steinbeck was awarded the Nobel Prize in Literature “for his realistic and imaginative writings, combining as they do sympathetic humour and keen social perception”. Director Elia Kazan won Academy Awards for directing “Gentleman’s Agreement” 1948 our Episodes 14-15 and “On the Waterfront” 1955. For “East of Eden” Mr. Kazan selected James Dean to be Caleb Trask and Richard Davalos, in his film debut, to play Aron Trask. Julie Harris as Abra Bacon had a prestigious career and was outstanding in “The Haunting” that we reviewed in Episode 60. Raymond Massey as Adam Trask is the patriarch of the Trask family. In “East of Eden” Mr. Kazan creates a dramatic and often painful view of the multi faceted lives of Caleb, Aron and Adam and the emotions that tear at the fabric of their family. Caleb’s search for his mother, played by Jo Van Fleet, and the romantic triangle of Abra, Aron and Caleb add to the drama of their lives. James Dean totally is Caleb! After watching his performance we are anxious to see him in “Rebel Without a Cause” and “Giant”. “East of Eden” is one of the two free shows we publish monthly on our regular public podcast feed. Up next is James Dean’s second motion picture “Rebel without a Cause”. Patrons have access to Episode 132 - Rebel without a Cause two weeks early.  Our bonus show, Episode 131 - Miracle on 34th Street is also available now on Patreon.