James Dean

James Byron Dean (February 8, 1931 – September 30, 1955) was an American actor. He is remembered as a cultural icon of teenage disillusionment and social estrangement, as expressed in the title of his most celebrated film, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), in which he starred as troubled teenager Jim Stark. The other two roles that defined his stardom were loner Cal Trask in East of Eden (1955) and surly ranch hand Jett Rink in Giant (1956). After his death in a car crash on September 30, 1955, Dean became the first actor to receive a posthumous Academy Award nomination for Best Actor for his role in East of Eden. Upon receiving a second nomination for his role in Giant the following year, Dean became the only actor to have had two posthumous acting nominations. In 1999, the American Film Institute ranked him the 18th best male movie star of Golden Age Hollywood in AFI's 100 Years...100 Stars list.

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Trouble Along the Way (1953)

Struggling to retain custody of his daughter following his divorce, football coach Steve Williams finds himself embroiled in a recruiting scandal at the tiny Catholic college he is trying to bring back to football respectability.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Curtiz
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Donna Reed  •  Chuck Connors  •  Charles Coburn

Struggling to retain custody of his daughter following his divorce, football coach Steve Williams finds himself embroiled in a recruiting scandal at the tiny Catholic college he is trying to bring back to football respectability.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael Curtiz
CAST:  John Wayne  •  Donna Reed  •  Chuck Connors  •  Charles Coburn

East of Eden (1955)

In the Salinas Valley in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming odds with his brother for the love of their father. Cal is frustrated at every turn, from his reaction to the war, how to get ahead in business and in life, and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elia Kazan
CAST:  James Dean  •  Julie Harris  •  Raymond Massey  •  Richard Davalos

In the Salinas Valley in and around World War I, Cal Trask feels he must compete against overwhelming odds with his brother for the love of their father. Cal is frustrated at every turn, from his reaction to the war, how to get ahead in business and in life, and ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Elia Kazan
CAST:  James Dean  •  Julie Harris  •  Raymond Massey  •  Richard Davalos

Elvis (1979)

This biopic traces Elvis Presley’s life from his impoverished childhood to his meteoric rise to stardom to his triumphant conquering of Las Vegas.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Carpenter
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Shelley Winters  •  Bing Russell  •  Season Hubley

This biopic traces Elvis Presley’s life from his impoverished childhood to his meteoric rise to stardom to his triumphant conquering of Las Vegas.  (more)

DIRECTION:  John Carpenter
CAST:  Kurt Russell  •  Shelley Winters  •  Bing Russell  •  Season Hubley

Giant (1956)

Wealthy rancher Bick Benedict and dirt-poor cowboy Jett Rink both woo Leslie Lynnton, a beautiful young woman from Maryland who is new to Texas. She marries Benedict, but she is shocked by the racial bigotry of the White Texans against the local people of Mexican ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens
CAST:  Elizabeth Taylor  •  Rock Hudson  •  James Dean  •  Carroll Baker

Wealthy rancher Bick Benedict and dirt-poor cowboy Jett Rink both woo Leslie Lynnton, a beautiful young woman from Maryland who is new to Texas. She marries Benedict, but she is shocked by the racial bigotry of the White Texans against the local people of Mexican ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens
CAST:  Elizabeth Taylor  •  Rock Hudson  •  James Dean  •  Carroll Baker

Rebel Without a Cause (1955)

ClassicEmotionalDramaticPowerful

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Ray
CAST:  James Dean  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sal Mineo  •  Ann Doran

After moving to a new town, troublemaking teen Jim Stark is supposed to have a clean slate, although being the new kid in town brings its own problems. While searching for some stability, Stark forms a bond with a disturbed classmate, Plato, and falls for local ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nicholas Ray
CAST:  James Dean  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sal Mineo  •  Ann Doran

Sailor Beware (1952)

Meeting in a navy recruiting line, Al Crowthers and Melvin Jones become friends. Al has tried to enlist before, but was always rejected. He keeps trying so that he can impress women. Melvin, is allergic to women's cosmetics and his doctor prescribed ocean travel, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hal Walker
CAST:  Dean Martin  •  Jerry Lewis  •  Corinne Calvet  •  Marion Marshall

Meeting in a navy recruiting line, Al Crowthers and Melvin Jones become friends. Al has tried to enlist before, but was always rejected. He keeps trying so that he can impress women. Melvin, is allergic to women's cosmetics and his doctor prescribed ocean travel, ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hal Walker
CAST:  Dean Martin  •  Jerry Lewis  •  Corinne Calvet  •  Marion Marshall

George Stevens: A Filmmaker's Journey (1985)

Biography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens Jr.
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Rock Hudson  •  Hermes Pan  •  Warren Beatty

Biography of the legendary filmmaker directed by his son.  (more)

DIRECTION:  George Stevens Jr.
CAST:  Fred Astaire  •  Rock Hudson  •  Hermes Pan  •  Warren Beatty

James Dean: Sense Memories (2005)

Documentary exploring the last 18 months of James Dean's acting career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gail Levin
CAST:  James Dean

Documentary exploring the last 18 months of James Dean's acting career.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Gail Levin
CAST:  James Dean

Death Scenes 2 (1992)

DEATH SCENES II continues the exploration into the dark recesses of violence and rage that ended in such heinous crimes as the Manson Family's assault on society. You'll see the gruesome aftermath of mob reprisals, public executions and international terrorism. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nick Bougas
CAST:  Harold Wells  •  Susan Atkins  •  Lenny Bruce  •  Jeffrey Dahmer

DEATH SCENES II continues the exploration into the dark recesses of violence and rage that ended in such heinous crimes as the Manson Family's assault on society. You'll see the gruesome aftermath of mob reprisals, public executions and international terrorism. ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Nick Bougas
CAST:  Harold Wells  •  Susan Atkins  •  Lenny Bruce  •  Jeffrey Dahmer

James Dean: Forever Young (2005)

A brief career. A timeless stardom. In just three major movie roles, James Dean became an icon for the ages. Now his legacy shines even brighter thanks to this fascinating film that, filled with an astonishing treasure trove of newfound or rare glimpses of Dean's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael J. Sheridan
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  James Dean

A brief career. A timeless stardom. In just three major movie roles, James Dean became an icon for the ages. Now his legacy shines even brighter thanks to this fascinating film that, filled with an astonishing treasure trove of newfound or rare glimpses of Dean's ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Michael J. Sheridan
CAST:  Martin Sheen  •  James Dean

Forever James Dean (1988)

The life and times of one of Hollywood's brightest stars.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ara Chekmayan
CAST:  Bob Gunton  •  William Bast  •  Frank Worth  •  Jack Grinnage

The life and times of one of Hollywood's brightest stars.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ara Chekmayan
CAST:  Bob Gunton  •  William Bast  •  Frank Worth  •  Jack Grinnage

James Dean: The First American Teenager (1975)

Stacy Keach narrates this documentary that chronicles the abbreviated life and career of iconic brooding bad boy James Dean, from his obscure early days working in television to his rise to stardom in films such as Rebel Without a Cause. Clips from Dean's movies ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ray Connolly
CAST:  Stacy Keach  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sal Mineo  •  Sammy Davis Jr.

Stacy Keach narrates this documentary that chronicles the abbreviated life and career of iconic brooding bad boy James Dean, from his obscure early days working in television to his rise to stardom in films such as Rebel Without a Cause. Clips from Dean's movies ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ray Connolly
CAST:  Stacy Keach  •  Natalie Wood  •  Sal Mineo  •  Sammy Davis Jr.

James Dean and Me (1995)

A documentary about James Dean. People who knew him or had worked with him reminisce.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ben Strout
CAST:  Julie Harris  •  Casper Van Dien  •  Betsy Palmer  •  Dennis Hopper

A documentary about James Dean. People who knew him or had worked with him reminisce.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Ben Strout
CAST:  Julie Harris  •  Casper Van Dien  •  Betsy Palmer  •  Dennis Hopper

Fixed Bayonets! (1951)

The story of a platoon during the Korean War. One by one, Corporal Denno's superiors are killed until it comes to the point where he must try to take command responsibility.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Samuel Fuller
CAST:  Richard Basehart  •  Gene Evans  •  Michael O'Shea  •  Richard Hylton

The story of a platoon during the Korean War. One by one, Corporal Denno's superiors are killed until it comes to the point where he must try to take command responsibility.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Samuel Fuller
CAST:  Richard Basehart  •  Gene Evans  •  Michael O'Shea  •  Richard Hylton

Deadline - U.S.A. (1952)

With three days before his paper folds, a crusading editor tries to expose a vicious gangster.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Brooks
CAST:  Humphrey Bogart  •  Ethel Barrymore  •  Kim Hunter  •  Ed Begley

With three days before his paper folds, a crusading editor tries to expose a vicious gangster.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Richard Brooks
CAST:  Humphrey Bogart  •  Ethel Barrymore  •  Kim Hunter  •  Ed Begley

Children of Giant (2015)

Children of GIANT is a documentary film that unearths deeply wrought emotions in the small West Texas town of Marfa, before, during and after the month-long production of George Stevens' 1956 feature film, Giant. Based on the controversial Edna Ferber novel of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hector Galán
CAST:  Earl Holliman  •  Elsa Cárdenas  •  George Stevens Jr.  •  Robert Hinkle

Children of GIANT is a documentary film that unearths deeply wrought emotions in the small West Texas town of Marfa, before, during and after the month-long production of George Stevens' 1956 feature film, Giant. Based on the controversial Edna Ferber novel of the ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Hector Galán
CAST:  Earl Holliman  •  Elsa Cárdenas  •  George Stevens Jr.  •  Robert Hinkle

Tab Hunter Confidential (2015)

In the 1950s, Tab Hunter was number one at the box office and number one on the music charts and was Hollywood’s most sought-after young star. Natalie Wood, Debbie Reynolds and Sophia Loren were just a few of the actresses he was romantically linked to. He was ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeffrey Schwarz
CAST:  Tab Hunter  •  Debbie Reynolds  •  Clint Eastwood  •  Robert Wagner

In the 1950s, Tab Hunter was number one at the box office and number one on the music charts and was Hollywood’s most sought-after young star. Natalie Wood, Debbie Reynolds and Sophia Loren were just a few of the actresses he was romantically linked to. He was ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jeffrey Schwarz
CAST:  Tab Hunter  •  Debbie Reynolds  •  Clint Eastwood  •  Robert Wagner

Hollywood Heaven: Tragic Lives, Tragic Deaths (1990)

Welcome behind the closed doors of a Hollywood that only a select few will ever get to see -- a Hollywood of tragic lives and tragic deaths. Some of the worlds brightest stars are hiding deep, dark secrets that - once revealed show a life of unhappiness, heartbreak ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sandy Oliveri
CAST:  Edgar Bergen  •  Montgomery Clift  •  Joseph Cotten  •  Wally Cox

Welcome behind the closed doors of a Hollywood that only a select few will ever get to see -- a Hollywood of tragic lives and tragic deaths. Some of the worlds brightest stars are hiding deep, dark secrets that - once revealed show a life of unhappiness, heartbreak ...  (more)

DIRECTION:  Sandy Oliveri
CAST:  Edgar Bergen  •  Montgomery Clift  •  Joseph Cotten  •  Wally Cox

Return to 'Giant' (2003)

A documentary about Marfa and the way this small Texas town was changed forver when Giant was filmed there.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Brennan
CAST:  Don Henley  •  Earl Holliman  •  James Dean  •  Carroll Baker

A documentary about Marfa and the way this small Texas town was changed forver when Giant was filmed there.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Jim Brennan
CAST:  Don Henley  •  Earl Holliman  •  James Dean  •  Carroll Baker

Hill Number One: A Story of Faith and Inspiration (1951)

The story of the Crucifixion, set within the context of the Korean War.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Pierson
CAST:  Leif Erickson  •  Nelson Leigh  •  Ruth Hussey  •  Henry Brandon

The story of the Crucifixion, set within the context of the Korean War.  (more)

DIRECTION:  Arthur Pierson
CAST:  Leif Erickson  •  Nelson Leigh  •  Ruth Hussey  •  Henry Brandon
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