James Dean on the Big Screen

James Dean became as star when his first movie, East of Eden was released. Audiences, particularly teenagers, were enchanted with Dean's portrayal of Cal Trask. They identified with his character: a teenager yearning for love and understanding in an uncaring adult world. Warner Bros., the studio that produced Eden, was deluged with fan letters, and the press played Dean up as a teen idol. But his popularity soared astronomically after his death. With only one starring role to his credit and his untimely death fans flocked to see Rebel Without A Cause and Dean became larger than life. Teenagers across the globe began to emulate his posture, his style of clothing, his vocal patterns. By the time Giant was released, Dean's popularity was so large that even though he didn't have much screen time in the movie, Giant had one of Hollywood's largest premiere's at that time.

Below is a listing of Dean's film credits. If you'd like more information on a particular movie, check out The Internet Movie Database. You may also purchase these films through Amazon, a JDND affiliate.

Biographical and Dean-inspired movies can be found here.

Unless otherwise noted, all reviews were written by me. Statistical information was collected from The Internet Movie Database.

JDND would like to publish your reviews for these movies. If you would like to see your credited review(s) on this page, email me at idiot__savant@yahoo.com, or click the email link provided below the review.


Starring James Dean

 

Giant
(1956)
Director: George Stevens
Studio: Warner Bros.
Writers: Edna Ferber (novel); Fred Guiol; Ivan Moffat
Starring:
Elizabeth Taylor Leslie Lynnton Benedict
Rock Hudson Jordan "Bick" Benedict
James Dean Jett Rink
Carroll Baker Luz Benedict younger
Jane Withers Vashti Snythe
Chill Wills Uncle Bawley Benedict
Mercedes McCambridge Luz Benedict older
Dennis Hopper Jordan Benedict III
Sal Mineo Angel Obregon II
Rod Taylor Sir David Karfrey
Judith Evelyn Mrs. Horace Lynnton
Earl Holliman Bob Dace
Robert Nichols (I) Pinky Snythe
Paul Fix Dr. Horace Lynnton
Alexander Scourby Old Polo
Synopsis: Dean, as Jett Rink, played a minor role (in terms of screen time) in this movie starring Rock Hudson and Elizabeth Taylor. As a poor ranch hand who suddenly strikes gold on property he is given by Hudson's late sister, Rink's life spirals into self-destruction as his wealth increases. Dean died just as the cast and crew were putting the final sound touches to the picture. His final scene in the movie, when he falls over drunk while trying to give a speech to an empty room, was dubbed by Nick Adams.
Purchase from Amazon:
  • Giant: 40th Anniversary Edition
    -- VHS; Widescreen; 2 tapes
    -- $18.73 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Ships within 24 hours
  • Giant
    -- VHS; 1 tape
    -- Spanish subtitles (con subtítulos en español)
    -- $25.49 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Ships between 1-2 weeks (on order)
  • Giant: Box Set
    -- VHS; Widescreen; 3 tapes
    -- $84.99 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Ships between 1-2 weeks
  Review this film

 

Rebel Without a Cause
(1955)
Director: Nicholas Ray
Studio: Warner Bros.
Writers: Nicholas Ray (story); Irving Shulman
Starring:
James Dean Jim Stark
Natalie Wood Judy
Sal Mineo Plato
Jim Backus Jim's father
Ann Doran Jim's Mother
Corey Allen Buzz Gunderson
William Hopper Judy's Father
Rochelle Hudson Judy's Mother
Dennis Hopper Goon
Edward Platt Juvenile Officer Ray
Steffi Sidney Mil
Marietta Canty Plato's Nurse
Virginia Brissac Jim's Grandmother
Beverly Long Helen
Ian Wolfe Lecturer
Synopsis: Released after his death, Jim Stark is the role most fans identify Dean with. The story concerns a young man who can't seem to fit in with society. His family, moving from place to place because of their son's disfunctional behavior, are themselves disfunctional. Judy (Natalie Wood) and Plato (Sal Mineo) form their own version of a family. Yet, that too ends in a tragic consequence in a movie filled with tragic consequences.
Purchase from Amazon:
  • Rebel Without A Cause
    -- VHS; Widescreen; 1 tape
    -- $16.99 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Usually ships within 24 hours.
  • Rebel Without A Cause
    -- VHS; 1 tape
    -- Dubbed in Spanish (en español)
    -- $16.99 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Usually ships between 1-2 weeks
Rebel Without A Cause VHS Picture Review this film

 

 

East of Eden
(1955)
Director: Elia Kazan
Studio: Warner Bros.
Writers: Paul Osborn
Starring:
Julie Harris Abra
James Dean Cal Trask
Raymond Massey Adam Trask
Burl Ives Sam
Richard Davalos Aron Trask
Jo Van Fleet Kate
Albert Dekker Will
Lois Smith Anne
Harold Gordon Mr. Albrecht
Nick Dennis Rantani
Synopsis: Dean's first staring role turned out to be the only movie he was able to see released during his lifetime. Based loosely on the book "East of Eden" by John Steinbeck, Dean plays Cal Trask. Without a mother and rejected by his father, Cal is constantly under the shadow of his "angelic" twin brother Aron (Dick Davalos). Comparing the two brothers, the father (Raymond Massey) considers Aron the good seed and Cal quite the opposite. The movie centers around Cal's search for his father's love. Not only does he win his love, but he wins the heart of Abra (Julie Harris), Aron's fiance. He also destroys his brother's picture-perfect world when he reveals that their mother (Jo van Fleet) is the town's madam.
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
  Review this film

 

 

Trouble Along the Way
(1953)
Director: Michael Curtiz
Studio: Warner Bros.
Writers: Robert Hardy Andrews (story); Jack Rose
Starring:
John Wayne Steve Williams
Donna Reed Alice Singleton
Charles Coburn Father Burke
Tom Tully Father Malone
Sherry Jackson Carole Williams
Marie Windsor Anne McCormick
Tom Helmore Harold McCormick
Dabbs Greer Father Mahoney
Leif Erickson Father Provincial
Douglas Spencer Procurator
Lester Matthews Cardinal O'Shea
Chuck Connors Stan Schwegler
Synopsis: According to the Internet Movie Database, Dean had an uncredited role in this comedy feature.
Purchase from Amazon:
Trouble Along the Way VHS Cover Review this film

 

Has Anybody Seen My Gal?
(1952)
Director: Douglas Sirk
Studio: Universal
Writers: Joseph Hoffman
Starring:
Piper Laurie Millicent Blaisdell
Rock Hudson Dan
Charles Coburn Samuel Fulton
Gigi Perreau Roberta
Lynn Bari Harriet Blaisdell
Larry Gates Charles Blaisdell
William Reynolds Howard
Skip Homeier Carl Pennock
Paul Harvey Judge Wilkins
Frank Ferguson Mr. Norton
Forrest Lewis Martin Quinn
Gloria Holden Mrs. Pennock
Fred Nurney Fredericks
Sally Creighton Arline Benson
Helen Wallace Shirley White
Synopsis: Another uncredited role for Dean, Dalton, in The Mutant King, describes Dean's "Youth at Soda Fountain" role as, basically, a pain in the ass teenager trying to get the perfect choch malt. Noted as the first movie that both Dean and Rock Hudson worked together in.
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
  Review this film

 

 

Fixed Bayonets
(1951)

Director: Samuel Fuller
Studio: 20th Century Fox
Writers: John Brophy; Samuel Fuller
Starring:
Richard Basehart Corporal Denno
Gene Evans Sergeant Rock
Michael O'Shea Sergeant Lonergan
Richard Hylton Wheeler
Craig Hill Lieutenant Gibbs
Skip Homeier Whitey
Henry Kulky Vogl
Richard Monahan Walowicz
Paul Richards Ramirez
Tony Kent Mainotes
Don Orlando Borcellino
Patrick Fitzgibbon Paddy
Neyle Morrow Medic
George Wesley Grif
Mel Pogue Bulcheck
Synopsis: Another uncredited role for Dean. He played a GI. If I remember correctly, Dean actually had one line in the movie, but it was left on the cutting room floor.
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
  Review this film

 

 

Sailor Beware
(1951)
Director: Hal Walker
Studio:  
Writers: Kenyon Nicholson (play); Charles Robinson
Starring:
Dean Martin Al Crowthers
Jerry Lewis Melvin Jones
Corinne Calvet Herself
Marion Marshall Hilda Jones
Robert Strauss Lardoski
Leif Erickson Commander Lane
Don Wilson Mr. Chubby
Vince Edwards Blayden
Dan Barton 'Bama
Mike Mahoney Tiger
Mary Treen Ginger
Betty Hutton Guest
Dick Stabile Band Leader
Donald MacBride Chief Bos'n Mate
Louis Jean Heydt Naval Doctor
Synopsis: Dean's uncredited role was "Boxing opponent's second" in this Martin and Lewis musical comedy.
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
  Review this film

 

Come Back to the Big Screen, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean

A number of biographical and Dean inspired movies have been released after Dean's death. Here's the working list, so far:

 

Forever James Dean
(1988)
Director: Ara Chekmayan
Studio: Cinemax
Writers: Ara Chekmayan
Starring: N/A
Synopsis: Documentary
Purchase from Amazon:
  • Forever James Dean
    -- VHS; 1 tape
    -- 12.99 US [as of 12/2/98]
    -- Ships between 1-2 weeks
Forever James Dean VHS Cover Review this film

 

James Dean: The First American Teenager
(1975)
Director: Ray Conolly
Studio: N/A
Writers: Ray Conolly
Starring:
Carroll Baker
Leslie Caron
Dennis Hopper
Stacy Keach Narrator
Sal Mineo
Nicholas Ray
Natalie Wood
Synopsis: Documentary
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
  Review this film

 

The James Dean Story
(1957)
Director:  Robert Altman; George W. George
Studio:  Warner Bros.
Writers:   Stewart Stern
Starring:
Martin Gabel Narrator
Synopsis:  Produced less than two years after Dean's death, "The James Dean Story" waxes poetic about the meaning behind the short and turbulent life of James Dean. Beginning with his mother's death in California and his life in Fairmount, Indiana, "The James Dean Story" attempts to trace the roots of Dean's loneliness and rebellious attitude, using still photographs, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews with the people who were a part of Dean's past. If the poetic psychology is distractive, fans of Dean will find that the glossed over material contains some gems: a look into the Winslow life, rarely seen photographs of Dean and a look into his daily routines. Noticeably absent from the film is Dean's father and their relationship. Also interesting to note is that Pier Angeliis rendered a silhouette, another love lost for Dean.
Purchase from Amazon: 
  • James Dean Story
    -- VHS; 1 tape
    -- $8.99US [as of 12/20/98]
    -- Usually ships between 1-2 weeks
   Reviewthis film

 

James Dean: Race With Destiny
(1997)
Director:  Mardi Rustam
Studio:  Capstone Film Company
Writers: N/A
Starring:
Carrie Mitchum
Diane Ladd
Mike Connor
Casey Kasem
Robert Mitchum George Stevens
Monique Parent Ursula Andress
Casper Van Dien James Dean
Synopsis:  N/A
Purchase from Amazon: Title not available
   Review this film

 

James Dean: A Portrait
(1996)
Director: Gary Legon
Studio: N/A
Writers: David Dalton; Gary Legon
Starring:
Steve Allen Himself
Julie Harris Herself
Dennis Hopper Himself
Beverly Long Herself
Jayne Meadows Herself
Steffi Sidney Herself
Eli Wallach Himself
Joanne Woodward Herself
Synopsis: This TV documentary "stars" many famous actors and actresses from Dean's past.
Purchase from Amazon:
   Review this film

 

 

James Dean (aka The Legend)
(1976)
Director:  Robert Butler
Studio:  The Josack Company
Writers: William Bast
Starring:
Michael Brandon William Bast
Stephen McHattie James Dean
Brooke Adams Beverly
Julian Burton Ray
Candy Clark Chris
Dane Clark James Whitmore
Meg Foster Dizzy
Katherine Helmond Claire Folger
Amy Irving Norma Jean
Robert Kenton Mechanic
Jayne Meadows Reva Randall
Heather Menzies Jan
Jack Murdock Judge
James O'Connell Mr. Robbins
Leland Palmer Arlene
Synopsis: N/A 
Purchase from Amazon:
  • James Dean
    -- VHS; 1 tape
    -- $8.99US [as on 12/20/98]
    -- Usually ships between 1-2 weeks
   Review this film


Also Available From Amazon

These titles are also available from Amazon.com. If you have seen any of these films and would like to include your credited summary on the site, please email me at idiot__savant@yahoo.com.


last updated 20 December 1998

Unless otherwise noted, all material Copyright © 1998 M. Dawn Matonis. No part of this site may be reproduced in any form without permission. James Dean Is Not Dead is neither affiliated with CMG Worldwide nor James Dean, Inc.