James Dean Part I

James Dean

Bell Work Do you know who James Dean is? If so, what do you know about him?

Bell Work In three sentences, predict what you think the film, Rebel Without a Cause will be about.

Bell Work What are two questions that you would like to ask James Dean?

Biography Born February 8, 1931 in Marion, Indiana 6 years old moves to California 9 years old, his mom dies of cancer. Father sends him back to Indiana to live with his aunt and uncle. In 1949, graduates high school and moves back to California. Studies law at Santa Monica College but eventually transfers to UCLA to major in theater.

California Plays Malcolm in Macbeth at UCLA Drops out of UCLA to pursue acting full time His first television appearance was in a Pepsi commercial. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MQfikxbS4zE Works as a parking lot attendant at CBS studios.

New York 1951: moves to NYC Career begins to pick up--- appears on two TV shows Successful role in The Immoralist on Broadway led to an interest from Hollywood.

Hollywood Only three major roles! East of Eden Rebel Without a Cause Giant

East of Eden 1955 Based on John Steinbeck’s novel Played Caleb (the “bad” brother) Most scenes were unscripted improvisations. Nominated posthumously for an Oscar (first actor ever) http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tdMjKq8xk-E

East of Eden Remake Will focus on the second half of the story/novel Jennifer Lawrence

Giant 1956 Plays Jett, a non-conforming cowhand, strikes it rich when he discovers oil. Co-star: Elizabeth Taylor Last film ever Nominated for second posthumous Oscar for this role. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kMG_ipol-MI

Rebel Without a Cause Most famous role 1955 Natalie Wood Jim Stark, the brooding teenager Red Jacket Defined his image in American Culture.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wXRgAXU1-T4 trailer

Rebel clips http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1DEp8R9kwg Car race http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=I3EJuGAke5E “Live it Up” With Natalie Wood

Best of… http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WmnqLD_qfE http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dvo_yYsVLMY

His other love besides acting…… Professional car racer In 1955, he purchased a Porsche 550 Spyder

Tragedy at age 24 Friday, September 30, 1955 Driving his new Porsche to a weekend race in Salinas, Ca. At 3:30 pm, stopped for speeding and issued a ticket. Two hours later, on Route 466, a 23 year old college student, Donald Turnupseed, hit James Dean head on. Porsche flips into the air, landing on its wheels in a ditch. Killed almost immediately--- broken neck and died in route to the hospital.

Crash Site http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bxG_VklEC9U

More about his death…. Ironically, he had filmed a highway safety commercial earlier in the year, in July. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EHaRys3mRMw PSA: “I used to fly around quite a bit, took a lot of unnecessary chances on the highway….. Now when I drive on the highway, I am extra cautious.” Donald Turnupseed, died of cancer in 1995. James Dean is buried in Indiana.

Ticket Out The Door What are three things you learned about James Dean today?