Both of his Best Actor Oscar nominations - forEast of Eden (1955)and later forGiant- were announced posthumously.]Thematically, the main point of the film was societal change at the height of the Depression - (1) silent actors and stage stars from the past were overlooked, aging, alcoholic, and mostly destitute, (2) a new class of corrupt, self-made, ruthless, and unscrupulous corporate tycoons were beginning to emerge to take over businesses hrough shady deals, (3) an emerging industrial revolution was on he horizon ("...It""s very peaceful, very still") as a contrasting and juxtaposed optimistic counterpoint to the more depressing, "pretty violent" and disturbing pictures earlier in the book.He easily upped bets to a quarter a game, without objection, and graciously purchased another bottle for the players.He is returning home o Los Angeles from college in the East.Appearing slightly shy and unprepossessing, his face has a blank, expressionless, enervated, zombie-like look.