James Dean... Still Not Forgotten...

I think that it is incredibly sad that James Dean has almost become pop culture cliche. Instead of being remembered for the amazing actor that he was, he has become a dorm room decoration in colleges across the nation. I think its important to remember that on September 30 (the anniversary of the iconic actor's death) that we remember just how special this guy really was.... and just to show that I too once had a picture of Dean in my dorm room, I've decided to remember him in pictures.....Let's put aside the cliche, and examine the man....

James Dean was marvelous actor. The first movie I saw him in was East of Eden. To this day, this is my favorite James Dean movie. James dealt with rejection in each of his three movies, but in this one he is rejected by his father. There is a scene where Dean comes to blows with his father, his emotions gush forth with such searing intensity... its absoutly heart wrenching. There is so much behind his voice, his eyes... one can only wonder at the depths he had to go in order to pull up those kind of emotions. These are the kind of scenes that made Dean so watchable... you can't look away.

A couple of summers ago, I went to Marfa, Texas. This is where they shot Giant. I stayed in the same hotel where the stars of the film (Elizabeth Taylor, Rock Hudson and James Dean) stayed. I actually got to sleep in Dean's hotel room... creepy... but awesome! I am a proud Texan, having grown up in West Texas. So... James Dean in a cowboy hat is absolute perfection. Giant is a long movie, and it has moments that drag a little, but Dean's performance is outstanding... When he comes to Hudson's house after he has struck oil, covered in the black gold, he is so wonderful. Word has it that Dean and Hudson didn't really get along.... but Taylor adored him... imagine that....

Dean had a style that still resonates today. He was and is the quentessential rebel. His jeans... leather jacket... and t-shirts were so normal and yet so perfect. I love the pictures of him with his glasses... He makes them look good. Even in this, he is a bit of a rebel. He takes a physical limitation (that normally people get picked on for) and makes the frames look sexy and cool.

My favorite thing about Dean was his laugh. It bubbled out of him and could sometimes be a little high pitched and giddy. So adorable. I think of when he is at the police station at the beginning of Rebel Without A Cause... when he is drunk and making siren sounds... you can't help but fall for him instantly!

So... the next time you look at that James Dean poster on your wall.... remember... that man wasn't just sexy cool, he was one of the BEST method actors to ever grace the silver screen. He wasn't iconic just because of his tragic death, but because of the immense emotional talent that transended that gap between film and audience... You are still a star James Dean... you just shine from above now....