A Place in the Sun is based on the novel An American Tragedy by Theodore Dreiser, which was based on real events. It won 6 Oscars, including best director, best editing, best music and best screenplay.

George Eastman (Montgomery Clift) is a man without a lot of education. He is invited by his succesful uncle (played by Herbert Heyes) to come over and work for him. Because he’s not really adapted for the higher social circles he receives a very simple job working in one of the factories. Because there are a lot of women working there as well it is not allowed to have relationships with other factory workers.

But as these things go, sometimes the flesh is weak and George has several dates with Alice (Shelley Winters), one of the women he works with. When he sees the wealthy Angela Vickers (Elizabeth Taylor) he immediately falls in love with her and tries to sneak away from Alice whenever he can to spend some time with her.
When Alice tells her that she’s pregnant he sees all his dreams go up in smoke. While spending some time at his uncle’s vacation spot he hears the story of a couple that drowned in the lake. Is this the solution for his problem? Continue reading →