Rebel Without A Cause

Background  Release date: 1955  Director: Nicholas Ray  Adapted screenplay writer: Irving Shulman  Screenplay writer: Stewart Stern

Nicholas Ray  Originally trained as an architect but got the film bug and decided to direct  Fascinated by stories within news headlines  Wanted to make a story about teenagers from the point of view of teenagers  Authenticity in clothing, body movement, dialogue, and even cars was very important

Head-shrinkers and Society  A particular type of delinquency that moved from the city to the suburb  Stories compiled were taken from the news headlines that gave a lot of attention to psychology and sociology  Where can you find family outside of your own biological family?  Children are essentially sweet and loving-that should be protected and attended to

James Dean  Hollywood legend who lived fast and died young  Died of a tragic car accident and only completed three films  Died prior to the release of Rebel Without a Cause  Unique acting style often imitated but never recaptured

Tech  Costumes  Camera positions (cranes, long shots)  Use of color-yes it’s WarnerColor!

Scenes to analyze  Jim in jail  The planetarium  Judy with her father  Jim, Judy and Plato at the mansion

“You read about these things happening to other families-you never dream it could happen to yours.”