Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.Two brothers in 1910s California struggle to maintain the favor of their affectionate but strict, Bible-toting father as an old secret about their long-absent mother comes to light.
- Won 1 Oscar
- 13 wins & 10 nominations total
Abdullah Abbas
- Townsman at Carnival
- (uncredited)
John Alban
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Rose Allen
- Townswoman at Carnival
- (uncredited)
José Arias
- Prisoner
- (uncredited)
Frank Baker
- Townsman
- (uncredited)
Barbara Baxley
- Nurse
- (uncredited)
John Beradino
- Coalman at Lettuce Field
- (uncredited)
Joe Brooks
- Townsman at Carnival
- (uncredited)
- Director
- Writers
- All cast & crew
- Production, box office & more at IMDbPro
Storyline
Did you know
- TriviaIn the scene where Adam refuses to accept Cal's money, the script called for Cal to turn away in anger from his father. It was James Dean's instinct to embrace him instead. This came as a surprise to Raymond Massey, who could think of nothing to do but say, "Cal! Cal!" in response.
- GoofsIn 1917, Adam Trask unsuccessfully "invents" the refrigerated railroad car to ship produce. In reality, tens of thousands of such cars were in common use by 1890 (this mistake was also made in the novel).
- Crazy creditsCards during opening credits: In northern California, the Santa Lucia Mountains, dark and brooding, stand like a wall between the peaceful agricultural town of Salinas and the rough and tumble fishing port of Monterey, fifteen miles away. AND "1917 Monterey, just outside the city limits"
- Alternate versionsThe dispute with shoemaker Gustav Albrecht about the war had been cut from the 1955 dubbed release for Germany and Austria. You could only see Albrecht leaving the fair claiming "Can't I say my opinion?", Cal climbing down the Ferris wheel and following Aaron and Albrecht, some fight in front of Albrecht's house and the sheriff appearing. The reason for all this remained totally unclear; the recruiter's speech is cut except for one background line "Join the army!" when Cal and Abra pass by, and you actually don't even get that Albrecht might be of German descent. In most of today's copies the missing scenes are included, distinguishable by the German subtitles.
- ConnectionsEdited into The Meadow (2008)
- SoundtracksOh, You Beautiful Doll
(1911) (uncredited)
Music by Nat Ayer
Played when Cal first enters the bordello
Also played when Cal and Abra pass in front of the mirrors
Featured review
I am a lover of classic movies. I'm in my 20s, but I've been watching them since I was little. I try not to fall for the "hype" of many of the classics (i.e. Gone with the Wind, Citizen Kane, East of Eden) until I've seen them for myself. Not that my opinion changes their status, but I think a lot of movies have a reputation and too many people are afraid to go against the grain of popular belief.
Anyways, this movie was on TCM this week and I finally got a chance to watch it. I've never read the book, so imagine my surprise when through the reviews and messageboard here, that this movie was only the last portion of the book. That probably explains why nothing in it made me sympathize with the characters. I thought the Cain/Abel theme might be intriguing, but frankly, this was a very boring and overdone movie. I have never understood the hype of James Dean (RIP). What I've seen of him has been hammish. Hammish actors unless it's completely intentional makes me cringe. Anyway, many people have addressed the storyline already, so I will only give my impressions. Maybe it's b/c I was born 30 years after the fact, but James Dean does not come off as a teenager. He comes off as an immature, whiny, self-absorbed young adult. I enjoyed him more in Giant (one of my favorites ever). I kept wanting to tell him to grow up, even at the end.
Now that I've seen it, I will probably never watch it again. The melodrama effect just didn't work for me. I prefer Brando and Newman as well.
I just reserved the book at my library so I can see what was missing.
Anyways, this movie was on TCM this week and I finally got a chance to watch it. I've never read the book, so imagine my surprise when through the reviews and messageboard here, that this movie was only the last portion of the book. That probably explains why nothing in it made me sympathize with the characters. I thought the Cain/Abel theme might be intriguing, but frankly, this was a very boring and overdone movie. I have never understood the hype of James Dean (RIP). What I've seen of him has been hammish. Hammish actors unless it's completely intentional makes me cringe. Anyway, many people have addressed the storyline already, so I will only give my impressions. Maybe it's b/c I was born 30 years after the fact, but James Dean does not come off as a teenager. He comes off as an immature, whiny, self-absorbed young adult. I enjoyed him more in Giant (one of my favorites ever). I kept wanting to tell him to grow up, even at the end.
Now that I've seen it, I will probably never watch it again. The melodrama effect just didn't work for me. I prefer Brando and Newman as well.
I just reserved the book at my library so I can see what was missing.
- CranberriAppl
- Nov 6, 2009
- Permalink
Details
- Release date
- Country of origin
- Official sites
- Language
- Also known as
- Al este del paraíso
- Filming locations
- Denslow-Morgan-Preston Mansion - 45200 Little Lake Street, Mendocino, California, USA(mansion - burnt down a year after production)
- Production company
- See more company credits at IMDbPro
Box office
- Gross worldwide
- $28,821
- Runtime1 hour 58 minutes
- Color
- Aspect ratio
- 2.55 : 1
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