East of Eden

Directed by Elia Kazan, Written by Phillip Osborn, Starring James Dean, Raymond Massey, Julie Harris, Jo Van Fleet; 1955, 115 min., PG.

Four Oscar nominations including for director Kazan lead actor Dean, and Osborn for adapting John Steinbeck’s epic novel about an estranged youth and his cold-hearted father; Van Fleet won for Best Supporting Actress.

The College of Arts and Letters Film Series puts the craft of writing front and center with its Fall 2014 series “The Screenwriter: Oscar Winning and Nominated Screenplays – Adapted from Another Medium.” The free film series screens every Tuesday night from August 26, 2014 to December 2.

Before each screening, local film experts will contribute an introduction, while Helford and Donnelly lead the post-screening conversation.