It’s not true. It’s not true.
However, his first major role on the big screen was in Elia Kazan’s 1955 East of Eden. Dean played a young, troubled man in em>East of Eden/em>, which was essentially a historical drama.
He was called “Marlon the second” by critics.
He then made Rebel Without a Cause, for the maverick Nicholas Ray.
Dean’s name was in the news columns as soon as East Of Eden came out.
Dean’s next two movies, Giant and Someone Up There Likes me were already in production.
It was an overblown Texas epic where his style of acting clashed with Elizabeth Taylor’s and Rock Hudson’s more conventional film performances. The Giant was not released for more than one year after James Dean died in an accident in September 1955. Paul Newman replaced him for Someone Up There Likes me.
It is Rebel Without A Cause, however, that remains the one and only true James Dean film.
The problem of teenagers has always existed, not only for teens but also for adults who have never known how to handle them. Growing pains are always a challenge. There were many doppelgangers to the real teenage boys in urban America in the middle of the 20 th Century. There were also issues for girls. In the 1950s juvenile delinquency had become a crisis, not an aberration. US Senate held hearings on it, yes the ones that blamed comic books for juvenile delinquency.
In 1955, James Dean was not a teenager. James Dean was only 24 when he became a favourite of critics. He had been through a traumatic childhood of his own and survived to become a star. He was still young-looking, but in Hollywood tradition, he played the lead teen role in Nicholas Ray’s iconoclastic follow-up to Johnny Guitar — Rebel Without a Cause.
In a dozen books and documentaries, the making of Rebel Without a Cause has been documented. Its unique position in film history is well known. What about the film itself? Does it hold up to modern eyes or is Dean the only reason people remember this movie? Is it still good for modern eyesight?
When I re-watched the movie a few days ago, I had not seen Rebel Without a Cause in about 40 years.
Dean’s drunken character Jim Stark is taken into custody. While he’s still hungover, he has a little fun with young Plato and Judy. Ray, the young officer (Ed Platt later Get Smart Chief) interviews each of them one by one to establish some background. Plato seems to have some problems and has killed some puppies. It’s also implied that Judy is a bad kid on the street in order to get back at her dad. Jim’s tale is more complicated. His family moved to Los Angeles because he was having trouble fitting into other places. His parents are his heroes, but he has little respect for his sluggish father (Jim Backus), his domineering mom and his overpowering grandma.
According to my understanding, after these late-night introductions, all of the other scenes take place over the course of one day. One long, eventful day. Jim recognizes Judy from the night before and tries to speak to her. On his first day, he offers to take her to school but she chooses to ride with boys. Plato, who has been bullied, belittled and snubbed, also appears at school. Plato grabs on to him like he is Jim’s sidekick. The bullies decided to hit the new kid on a school trip to prove who was in charge. Jim is the only one who can hold his own against a knifefight. Jim, Buzz and Buzz’s gang will do “a chickie run” on that night. Plato asks Jim what these are, and Jim replies that he’s done them constantly.
Old hot-rod cars are provided for everyone to meet on the cliffs by the sea. It’s a race to the edge of the cliff, and the person who gets out last just as the car rolls down the hill to land on the rocks below is the winner. Judy and his friends cheer on Buzz, while Jim is left with only Plato. Buzz gets his jacket caught, and is unable to jump out, causing him to plunge to his death into the darkness.
Judy’s stunned, and Buzz and his followers make plans to “get” Jim.
The three of them bond, which leads to the climax at Griffith Observatory, where Plato is holding a pistol.
Even though I’m familiar with the time period, it still feels like a weak story. The fact that the film is filmed in a single day also seems unrealistic. Ray’s cinematography and direction are excellent, which keeps the audience entertained, but leaves them wondering, “What exactly happened?”
James Dean is the star of this movie. He wears his iconic red jacket for most of the film. This jacket is so effective in visually defining Jim Stark, it can almost be regarded as a character. Especially at the end of the movie when it becomes an important plot point. The plot is deliberately hinted at from the very beginning.
Dean’s much-ballyhooed intense performance is just right here, and his more subtle ability to act actually wins out.
Both of the other leads in this film were much younger. Natalie Wood, who I admit was never my favorite actress in the past, has never looked sweeter or cuter at 17 than here. This contrasts her character’s conflicted nature. Judy’s character loses its edge towards the end and becomes a bit of a dummy.
Sal Mineo, 16, is the actor who has most impressed me with his naturalistic style. He would be a welcomed presence for years to come. But he’d never have another chance to show off his naturalistic acting style.
Sal and Natalie both received Oscar nods for Rebel Without A Causebut James Dean, to our surprise, did not.
Ed Platt’s performance as the sympathetic Juvie police officer was a pleasant surprise. In his later television roles, Platt always appeared to be a one-note actor. But here his character is willing to take a punch from Jim.
Jim Backus who complained once that they would only give him dramatic parts in films and cartoons, but he was able to play comedic roles on television and in animations, is perfect as the husband and father that has been henpecked. Jim Backus does a dad impersonation that is reminiscent of Quincy Magoo at one point.
The 4K disc includes a commentary, which appears on the Blu-ray. On the Blu-ray, you’ll also find a full length documentary, showcases, wardrobe and screen tests, behind-the scenes clips, and deleted scenes without audio.
The message about disaffected young people is not only dated, but also seems a little over the top for its time. The performances, Ray’s confident direction, camera work, staging, purposeful use or color and darkness and James Dean’s iconic red jacket make Rebel Without A Cause an absolute classic.