Mr. D,
Next time you get a chance to see "Rebel Without A Cause", notice that it's ALL about father relationships, albeit somewhat 1950s stereotypical Freudian. Very interesting, though.

As is East of Eden.

These are two of my all time favorite films.
I was a Rebel Without A Cause for a time, and, living in LA, had visited the Griffith Planetarium many times, where the movie was shot. The place is currently undergoing a renovation and will reopen again next year I think. I can't imagine what film makers would do this story if it was moved into the rpesent day. Knives are one thing, guns are another thing altogether. They would probably just drive by and try and kill each other from the moving cars.

With a last name of Trask, I always felt a special connection to Steinbeck's East of Eden. I own a limited edition of the novel signed by the author that I cherish. The movie doesn't follow the book completely but is a moving depiction of the troubles that a family must overcome to be whole.

I own DVDs of each of these films and occasionally will get them out to enjoy again and remember the times.

James Dean was marvelous in each of these films and also in Giant. He left us much too soon.

Patrask,

Enjoyed your response. I, too, never tire of James Dean movies. He was/is amazing to watch on screen. East of Eden, the movie, never fails to transport me. It is an incredibly visceral movie experience like no other.

And the novel, as I've mentioned on this site before, is incredible. Its characters linger in your mind long after you put the book down. I'm jealous of your signed copy.

I know that that's what I love about Ray Bradbury's novels/stories/poems...they always transport me and will remain locked in my long term memory.