| In January, 1955, Warner contracted him for Rebel Without a Cause. The director Nicolas Ray took Jimmy to Los Angeles to attend to the evenings at the Chateau Marmont Hotel. There, he looked timid and solitary and nobody could believe that this boy was Kazan’s star and leading role in Rebel. During one of those sessions, he met Dennis Stock, another key photographer in his career. Stock was impressed by Jimmy’s performance in East of Eden (he had attended an avant premiere in Hollywood) and asked him to do some pictures for Life Magazine. Jimmy agreed, but wanted to do them in Fairmount because he was going there for his birthday. They left. This trip would be his last time in Indiana. The arrival in Fairmount was white and frozen. The whiteness of the fields, the lonely barns and the spectacular vision of the Winslow Farm dazzled Stock. Jimmy walked down Fairmount’s Main Street with his uncle’s cap, on old jean jacket, and the eternal cigarette between his lips. Stock believes Jimmy did not yet realize who he (Jimmy) was or how important he would become, that some 40 years later those steps would be retraced, one by one, with reverence: his grandparents house, at the farm, uptown, all reflected with extraordinary beauty in Dennis Stock’s pictures. Jimmy met his old classmates from high school and they would go to Marion like in the old times. He talked with fellows and enjoyed warm evenings at the farm. Ortense was so happy to have her boy home and cooked delicious meals for him. Jimmy also shared time with his grandparents Dean, Charles and Emma. He wanted to know about his great-grandfather Cal Dean because of the coincidence with the name of his role in Eden. From one of those beautiful evenings of memories, Jimmy delighted the family by impersonating Cal Dean’s auctioneer hawking. Pictures and a recorded tape can be appreciated in Robert Altman’s documentary. Sweetheart Ball - February 12, 1955 Jimmy was the guest of honor at the Valentine’s dance at Fairmount High School. Like a “dandy” in a black suit, black shirt and lilac tie, impeccable hair (Ortense’s lovely hands in last minute details?) and wearing his eye glasses, he came into the hall of Fairmount High School. Distinguished pupil of his class, a farmer just like all the other people there, and a star... the effect was impressive. And even more because Jimmy was splendid; he signed autographs, played the bongos with the orchestra and smiled all night long. The beautiful girls that looked at him with fascination in Dennis Stock’s pictures are ladies today. All of them still keep with love that light-green colored card saying “Sweetheart Ball, February 12, 1955.” |
| Fairmount 1955 |
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