THIS DAY IN 1955
The movie "Rebel Without a Cause" opens
SIGNIFICANCE
James Dean’s character was the classic example of a struggling male in need of a strong father figure. The combination of Dean’s death a few weeks earlier and his unusually sensitive portrayal made for instant cult status overriding the larger message of the film. The result is a work regarded as a classic for cinematic and/or cultural and historical reasons.
RESULTS
Method acting was the rage in 1950s Hollywood, but whereas Marlon Brando’s version found sensitivity within the masculine, James Dean was able to gain fame as a weakling. His early death created an actor’s cult that has legitimized Dean’s persona as a viable alternative to the masculine male lead. Without Dean’s legacy it’s hard to imagine guys like Johnny Depp, Leonardo diCapprio, Tobey McGuire, and Ethan Hawke as anything other than sidekicks and little brothers.
2 comments:
You are like a fun new calendar.
INHO Rebel is the weakest of Dean's three films. I liked his performance in East of Eden. Giant shows him acting mature and not just whining and tormented.
Absolutely. The other two films are above average and he's more heroic in them and yet this somewhat melodramatic teen pic is the one that gained iconic status. I can watch Giant over and over again.
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