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East of Eden Overview:

East of Eden (1955) was a Drama - Family Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Elia Kazan.

The film was based on the novel of the same name written by John Steinbeck published in 1952.

SYNOPSIS

The strong screen adaptation of John Steinbeck's 1952 novel features the debut of Dean. Like Cain with Abel, a black sheep competes with his brother for his father's love - with tragic results. Dean immediately fixed himself in cinema history as the brooding son who feels his mother's absence as a searing wound.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

Academy Awards 1955 --- Ceremony Number 28 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorJames DeanNominated
Best Supporting ActressJo Van FleetWon
Best DirectorElia KazanNominated
Best WritingPaul OsbornNominated
See More Oscar Winners

East of Eden BlogHub Articles:

Review: East of Eden (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 22, 2017 From 4 Star Films

East of Eden. It was John Steinbeck’s epic work. Showcasing a familial narrative sprawled across his familiar locales of Salinas and Monterey over the turn of the century. But as a film, it rather unwittingly became James Dean’s. He wasn’t even a star yet. He had been on the stage ... Read full article

Review: East of Eden (1955)

By 4 Star Film Fan on May 22, 2017 From 4 Star Films

East of Eden. It was John Steinbeck’s epic work. Showcasing a familial narrative sprawled across his familiar locales of Salinas and Monterey over the turn of the century. But as a film, it rather unwittingly became James Dean’s. He wasn’t even a star yet. He had been on the stage ... Read full article

East of Eden (1955)

By Beatrice on Jan 31, 2016 From Flickers in Time

East of Eden Directed by Elia Kazan Written by Paul Osborn from a novel by John Steinbeck 1955/USA Warner Bros. First viewing/Netflix rental Elia Kazan shows how Cinemascope should be done, James Dean tries to become the next Marlon Brando, and the supporting actors shine. The Steinbeck source ... Read full article

Video of the Week: “East of Eden” (1981)

By Marisa on Jun 3, 2015 From The Timothy Carey Experience

Our video for this week is another one culled from the archives. John Steinbeck‘s great American novel East of Eden has been filmed twice: first as a feature film in 1955, directed by Elia Kazan, and then as an ABC television miniseries in 1981 with Harvey Hart at the helm. (Apparently there i... Read full article

Pic of the Day: “East of Eden” (1955) revisited

By Marisa on Feb 9, 2015 From The Timothy Carey Experience

Eighty-four years ago yesterday, James Byron Dean was born in Marion, Indiana. The blue-eyed heart-breaker from the heartland scored his first starring role in Elia Kazan‘s East of Eden (1955), based on the epic novel by John Steinbeck. Timothy and Dean hit it off during shooting, and together... Read full article

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East of Eden Quotes:

Cal Trask: I've been jealous all my life. Jealous, I couldn't even stand it. Tonight, I even tried to buy your love, but now I don't want it anymore... I can't use it anymore. I don't want any kind of love anymore. It doesn't pay off.
Abra: Mr. Trask, it's awful not to be loved. It's the worst thing in the world. Don't ask me - even if you could - how I know that. I just know it. It makes you mean, and violent, and cruel. And that's the way Cal has always felt, Mr. Trask. All his life! Maybe you didn't mean it that way - but it's true. You never gave him your love. You never asked for his. You never asked him for one thing.
Abra: I love you even though I'm afraid of you. Maybe someday I won't be.
Adam Trask: (refusing Cal's gift of money) If you want to give me a present, give me a good life. That's something I can value.
Abra: But you must give him some sign, Mr. Trask, some sign that you love him... or he'll never be a man. All his life he'll feel guilty and alone unless you release him.
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East of Eden Facts
During the production of the film, Elia Kazan used to write letters to his friend John Steinbeck, with whom he had worked closely on the original screenplay for Viva Zapata!, to keep him abreast of the film's progress. Steinbeck thought James Dean was a perfect Cal, and tremendously enjoyed the final film.
The Bible quotes are from Psalm 32 verses 1-2 and 5-7 (the reading at the table) and Genesis chapter 4 verses 9 and 16 (quoted by the Sheriff).
The New York premier was at the Astor Theater on Times Square in Manhattan. Among those in attendance were Marilyn Monroe, Carol Channing, Milton Berle, John Steinbeck and Joel Grey. The night was a benefit for the famed "Actors Studio".
Elia Kazan, in his autobiography "A Life" (1988), said that Raymond Massey came to despise James Dean. Kazan did nothing to dispel the tension between the two, as it was so right for their characters in the film.
Director Elia Kazan got James Dean drunk before filming the rooftop scene between Cal and Abra.
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