ALL MY SONS
Edward G. Robinson, Burt Lancaster
Universal; Directed by Irving Reis
Black and White; Not Rated; 92 minutes; 1949
ALL MY SONS was Arthur Miller's first major play, and like all his work from "DEATH OF A SALESMAN" to "AFTER THE FALL", it delves inward to the roots of anxiety, exposing the blurred relationship between collective and personal guilt. Irving Reis' film version of All My Sons is probably the finest screen treatment of the author's work. The story deals with a factory owner's crumbling rationalization for manufacturing defective airplane parts during the war, while his son comes to see him for what he really is. Edward G. Robinson is magnificent as the misguided Joe Keller; Burt Lancaster is effective as the son; and the entire supporting cast is excellent.