Director Elia Kazan has made the great John Steinbeck novel (updating the "Cain vs. Able" story to the early 20th century) into a great American movie. It is perhaps best remembered for the big screen debut of the legendary James Dean. The NY Times film critic was hardly a fan of the actor's performance. In spite of the naysayers, Dean was Oscar-nominated posthumously. He did not win (that honor went to Ernest Borgnine), but Jo Van Fleet, as his brothel-keeping mother, did take home a gold statuette. (1955) 115 MIN. (NR) (WARNER BROS.)