East of Eden

TCM's Dave Karger introduces East Of Eden, 1955.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces East Of Eden, 1955.

Ben Mankiewicz introduces East Of Eden, 1955.

Guest host Dave Karger introduces East Of Eden, 1955.

Director Elia Kazan’s opens his treatment of the last section of John Steinbeck’s novel, nervous Cal (James Dean, in his first starring role) follows cagey Kate (Jo Van Fleet) through Monterey (actually Humboldt County), California, not explaining their relationship, in East Of Eden, 1955.

Salinas, California, 1917, righteous Christian dad Adam (Raymond Massey) is angered by Cal (James Dean) who resists a bible reading, brother Aron (Richard Davalos) fleeing, after which they discuss the boys’ long-absent mother, in Elia Kazan’s film from John Steinbeck’s novel, East Of Eden, 1955.

Anxious Cal (James Dean) charms hired-girl Anne (Lois Smith) into showing him to the office of Kate (Jo Van Fleet), who runs the brothel and also, the audience has surmised, is his long-lost mother, in Northern California, 1917, Elia Kazan directing, from John Steinbeck’s novel, East Of Eden,1955.

Teen Cal (James Dean) returns to Salinas, California after an unauthorized visit to coastal Monterey, where director Elia Kazan introduces his brother Aron (Richard Davalos), and girlfriend Abra (Julie Harris), and their father Adam (Raymond Massey) in East Of Eden, 1955, from John Steinbeck’s novel.

Troubled Cal (James Dean), now committed to his father’s lettuce venture, is visited by his more upstanding brother’s girlfriend Abra (Julie Harris), whose interest in him is growing, Elia Kazan directing from John Steinbeck’s novel set in Northern California, 1917, East Of Eden, 1955.

Cal (James Dean) on his third visit to Monterey, California, intercepts Kate (Jo Van Fleet), owner of the local brothel, who now knows he’s one of the sons she abandoned in infancy, discussing his father’s business, among other topics, in Elia Kazan’s East Of Eden, from the Steinbeck novel.

James Dean had his first starring role in Elia Kazan's movie version of John Steinbeck's novel East of Eden (1955).