JAMES DEAN: FOREVER YOUNG
US, 2006, 98 minutes, Colour.
Directed by Michael Sheridan.
This documentary was released on the 50th anniversary of the sudden death of James Dean in a car accident, 30 September 1955. He had made only three feature films, East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause, Giant. And the time of his death, he was only 24.
James Dean intrigued the American public during his short life, during his short film career, the suddenness of his death. He became linked in the American public mind with Marlon Brando, a Brando for the next generation. There were very speculations about his private life. There was also a feature film, 30-9-1955, with Richard Thomas, and a feature portrait of Dean played by James Franco.
While this film does provide details of Dean’s life, family background, Indiana, his ambitions, travel to New York City, visits to Los Angeles, friends in New York including Martin Landau, a relationship with Pia Angeli, his reaction to her sudden marriage to Vic Damone, a relationship with Ursula Andress, this is not on the main focus of the film – which is narrated by Martin Sheen.
In fact, this is a brief but effective compilation of Dean’s television and cinema work. Many will be surprised at the considerable extent of Dean’s television work. The researchers have gone to a great deal of trouble to find clips from so many of these programs, giving the detailed background, dates, co-stars, their place in Dean’s life and career, even appearing in Los Angeles TV programs while on location for his films, continued return to New York.
Which means then that this film gives a far stronger impression about Dean’s acting abilities, seeing him in a considerable range of different roles. It is also mention of his stage performances. However, with help from his friends, and especially a range of photographer friends who provided more than might have been expected photo shoots with him (and well incorporated into this film, quite a wide range), Elia Kazan chose him for his first major film role (and there are glimpses of him in very brief speaking roles in feature films before East of Eden).
Interestingly, at various times, there are various clips from screen tests, Dean reading with Joanne Woodward for East of Eden. Auditions and reading with Paul Newman. And auditions and readings with Julie Harris who was chosen for the film. The film spends some time on the making of East of Eden, and then of Rebel Without a Cause. During the making of Rebel, preparations were being made by George Stevens for filming Giant, James Dean eliciting interest, almost campaigning for a role. This documentary shows clips from the film, from screen tests, especially for his ageing character, and on location glimpses of Dean with Elizabeth Taylor.
The film also shows his interest in cars, buying cars, participating in racing in Bakersfield in 1955, being prohibited by George Stevens from participating in races during the filming of Giant, his final decision to buy the Porsche of his dreams, driving it to Salinas for competition, his death.
With some irony, the film includes a commercial Dean did with Gig Young about not speeding on highways and saving lives. The film also seems to underplay the death, showing the highway in the drive to Salinas, moving towards the crash and the film fading to black.
Not a definitive documentary on James Dean himself and his career but a valuable repository of scenes from his film and television work.
