Loosely based on the second half of John Steinbeck’s 1952 novel (which took its name from the biblical land that served as Cain’s exile), this 1955 gut-wrencher stars James Dean in his first major motion picture and in his most compelling role. As sensitive, temperamental Cal, Dean yearns for love—the love of his father (who prefers his twin brother Aron) and the love of Aron’s girl Abra (Julie Harris)—and to understand why his mother, who runs the town brothel, abandoned him and his brother when they were infants. Filmed in picturesque Mendocino County and the Salinas Valley, there’s nothing much better than this gorgeous, tragic classic on the big screen—so don’t miss it!
Sun., Feb. 27, 6 p.m.; Mon., Feb. 28, 8 p.m.; Thu., March 3, 8 p.m., 2011
