Today’s movie is a drama with a scene set on April 6. Watch
the film tonight and enjoy.
EAST OF EDEN
Cal Trasker, the unloved son of rancher Adam Trasker has
learned that, contrary to what he has been told, his mother is not dead, but is
alive and is the madam of a bordello in the nearby town of Monterey,
California. He is unsuccessful in talking to her and rides the rails back to
his home in the Salinas Valley. Cal’s father is obsessed with plans to ship
frozen vegetables to New York. After a
discussion with his father about his mother, Cal returns to the bordello, but
again is unable to talk with her. When the vegetables are being loaded on the
refrigerated train, Cal has lunch with Abra, his favored twin brother Aron’s
girlfriend. However, the train does not
keep the vegetables cold and the shipment is a complete loss. Cal decides to go
into the bean planting business with a friend of his father’s Will Hamilton, as
he believes that imminent US entry into the Great War will caused the price of
food to skyrocket. Cal visits his mother again. This time he is able to talk to her and convinces her to
lend him five thousand dollars, which he invests in bean futures. On April 6,
1917 [1:03:47 to 1:03:52], the USA declares war on Germany. At a fair Abra is
waiting to meet Aron, but runs into Cal and they spend time together. They
kiss, but she says she still loves Aron. The townspeople attack Gustav
Albrecht, who is of German descent. Aron defends him and is helped by Cal, but
this causes a fight between them, as Aron thinks Cal helped him to impress
Abra. Cal decides to give his father the money he has earned at surprise
birthday party that he plans with Abra. At the party Aron announces he and Abra
are engaged, to the discomfort of both Cal and Abra. Adam Trasker refuses to
accept the money, which he views as being the product of war profiteering. Cal
sees this as another rejection. Abra tries to console him with kisses, which
infuriates Aron, who orders Cal to stay away from Abra. In revenge Cal tells
Aron about their mother and takes him to the bordello to meet her. This so
upsets Aron that he gets drunk and enlists in the Army. Adam cannot dissuade
him and has a stroke. Cal plans to leave town, but Abra talks to the stricken
Mr. Trasker and begs him to show Cal he loves him. When he comes to say
goodbye, his father asks Cal to stay and care for him, which he does.
A powerful film, with an
impressive performance by James Dean. The film references the story of Cain and
Abel, but I think it’s more like that of the prodigal son, who wanders but
returns to the family fold in the end. A true cinematic classic and must see
film.
Date given in film at 1:03:50 on
a newspaper
Producer - Elia Kazan Director - Elia Kazan Screenplay - Paul Osborn
Awards – This film won the Best
Supporting Actress (Van Fleet) Oscar. It was also nominated for Best Director,
Best Adapted Screenplay and Best Actor (Dean) Oscars at the 28th
Academy Awards.
Cast - Julie Harris (Abra), James Dean(Cal Trasker), Raymond
Massey(Adam Trasker), Burl Ives (Sam the Sheriff), Richard Davalos (Aron
Trasker), Jo Van Fleet (Kate)
Copyright by Ivan Walters in 2015
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