The James Dean Story

• Directors: Robert Altman; George W. George
• AMG Rating:
• Genre: Film, TV & Radio
• Movie Type: Film & Television History, Biography
• Themes: Actor's Life, Rags To Riches, Tortured Genius
• Release Year: 1957
• Country: US
• Run Time: 80 minutes

Plot

A cut above the usual cheesy paste-up "tribute", The James Dean Story is imbued with a modicum of style thanks to fledgling film-director Robert Altman. Most of the film consists of clips from Dean's three starring pictures (East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant), with tantalizing glimpses of his pre-star career. One such glimpse, a snippet from the 1951 TV religious special Hill Number One, has popped up in virtually every Dean retrospective since. Altman's inherent cinematic gifts are evident in the impressionistic "re-enactment" of Dean's fatal auto crash. Narrated by Martin Gabel, The James Dean Story isn't terribly deep, but it's a good shorthand overview of one of the most powerful screen presences of the 1950s. ~ Hal Erickson, All Movie Guide

Cast

Lew Brocker - "Dean's Friend"; Mr. Carter - "Dean's Friend"; Louis de Liso - "Dean's Friend"; James Dean; Mr. Dean - Dean's Grandfather; Adelaide Hall - Dean's Drama Teacher; Robert Jewett - "Dean's Friend"; John Kalin - "Dean's Friend"; Lili Kardell - "Dean's Friend"; Billy Karen - "Dean's Friend"; Arnie Langer - "Dean's Friend"; Jerry Luce - "Dean's Friend"; Officer Nelson - Highway Patrolman; George Ross - "Dean's Friend"; Arline Sax - "Dean's Friend"; Big Traster - "Dean's Friend"; Christine White - "Dean's Friend"; Marcus Winslow - Dean's Uncle; Markie Winslow - Dean's Cousin; Ortense Winslow - Dean's Aunt; Patsy D'Amore - "Dean's Friend"; Martin Gabel

Credit

Robert Altman - Director, George W. George - Director, Robert Altman - Editor, George W. George - Editor, Leith Stevens - Composer (Music Score), Robert Altman - Producer, George W. George - Producer, Stewart Stern - Screenwriter

Similar Movies

James Dean; James Dean: A Legend in His Own Time; Marilyn; James Dean: Live Fast, Die Young; James Dean: The First American Teenager; Kurt & Courtney; James Dean: A Portrait; James Dean: At High Speed; James Dean: Forever Young; James Dean: Sense Memories; Hollywood Remembers James Dean