rebel without a causerebel without a cause

S6E3 'Rebel With a Cause clips. Is "Rebel Without a Cause" based on a book? For example, he believes his mother runs the family because his father wont stand up to her. William Zinsser, however, wrote a scathing review of Rebel in his New York Herald Tribune column, concluding his summary of the film's plot with the words, All this takes two hours, but it seems more like two days. Former child star Natalie Wood she co-starred in the 1947 Christmas classic Miracle on 34th Street became a leading lady in 1955, co-starring in Rebel Without a Cause as Judy, a high school student who finds empathy, and ultimately love, for the misunderstood Jim. Frank is unskilled in helping his son understand what is to be a man, compelling Jim to ask Ray (father figure) how he is supposed to live through the experience; and so forth. [20] The film was banned in New Zealand in 1955 by Chief Censor Gordon Mirams, out of fears that it would incite 'teenage delinquency', only to be released on appeal the following year with scenes cut and an R16 rating. Big Think. Though he finds some of this in his relation with Judy, and a form of it in both Plato's adulation and Ray's real concern for him, Jim must still prove himself to his peers in switchblade knife fights and "chickie" games in which cars race toward a seaside cliff. Drama, Original Language: To preserve his status as gang leader, Buzz suggests stealing some cars to have a "Chickie Run" at a seaside cliff. The former film earned him an Oscar nomination for Best Actor, and the latter was good enough to convince Warner Bros. to offer him a long-term contract to lock his star power down. Plato then falls asleep, and Jim and Judy leave to explore the mansion, where they share their first kiss and voice their love. Jim wants Frank to start to act like a man so that he can respect him as a father; Jims family moves constantly, ostensibly to give their son a fresh start each time: Jim wants to do the right thing and report his involvement in Buzzs untimely end to the police, much to his parents dismay. When Jack L. Warner realized James Dean was a rising star and a hot property, filming was switched to color stock, and many scenes had to be reshot in color. Frank attempts to alleviate what he believes are Jims growing pains: In ten years youll look back on this and wish you were a kid again (Stern 54). The thematic conflict that Jim must grapple with is the absence of a secure family home life that he so desperately needs to counteract the outside world in which he is vulnerable. Unlike most of the analysis found herewhich simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item. But "Rebel Without a Cause" was enormously influential at the time, a milestone in the creation of new idea about young people. (Stern 53), What his father is or is not doing causes problems; Jims fighting causes problems; Jim asks his father what action to take in a difficult situation. Their other friend, a repressed gay character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who are absent entirely, with devastating results. 2:57. Impressed with Dean, Ray wanted to cast him as the lead in Rebel, but another of Deans soon-to-be-legendary films was standing in the way: Giant, which was all set to start shooting at a time that would conflict with Rebels production. DadDaddont. On the other hand, she praised James Dean's acting, writing, "[w]ith complete control of the character, he gives a fine, sensitive performance of an unhappy, lonely teenager, tormented by the knowledge of his emotional instability. Franks lack of desire to change the circumstances of his family life undermines his efforts to be a strong parent to his son. Mr. and Mrs. Stark grill Jim to find out if anyone has any idea that he was involved in Buzzs death; Crunch and the gang have the idea that Jim has squealed to the police; Jim comes up with the idea of hiding out at the old mansion with Judy; Plato comes up with the idea of taking his mothers gun; Frank has no idea where his son has disappeared to; and so forth. Jim: Suppose you knew that you had to do something very dangerouswhere you have to prove something . Raising a teenager in a time of social upheaval is as problematic for Frank as the endeavor to respect an ineffectual father is for Jim. The three new friends act out a fantasy as a family. with updates on movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more. Jims response to Rays warning against striking a juvenile officer is to hurl himself at the man; Jim attempts not to fall into the trap of striking back at the gangs threats; Jim doesnt perceive Plato waving a loaded gun as too much of a threat, and, even though Plato has shot at him, Jim pursues the boy anyway. Nicholas Ray, There are 14 compilation albums for this title. An accurate assessment of Franks strengths and limitations and the acknowledgment of such will solve problems between the two: Stand up, Jim. Definitions by the largest Idiom Dictionary. Rebel Without A Cause is remembered as the movie that made James Dean an icon, but it also boasted some groundbreaking themes for its time heres the classic films gay subtext explained. As Plato progresses from pretending to have a relationship with the new kid, to truly becoming a friend of Jims, he comes up with the idea of Jim as his father: As they explore their relationship, it becomes evident to Frank that Jim does not respect him as a man or father, yet at the same time is desperate for his father to fulfill those roles. In their book Live Fast, Die Young: The Wild Ride Of Making Rebel Without A Cause, film critics Lawrence Frascella and Al Weisel note that an earlier version of the movies script even featured a scene in which Jim and Plato shared a kiss. Judy appears as a dirty tramp (Stern 5) to her father because of her red lipstick, when she is just trying to act like a grown woman, using a womans props; Jim imitates a siren. Whyd you get drunk? In 1953, he got the chance to play a rebellious young man after all, starring in The Wild One. When some of the teenagers go after Jim thinking he might go to the police, tragedy ensues. I thought . (Stern 71), Jim explains the current situation to his parentsBuzzs death, the part he has played in it, and all of its ramifications: But I am involved! Dramatica is a registered trademark of Screenplay Systems Incorporated. With that goal in mind, work on what would become Rebel Without a Cause began. Ray ultimately took plenty of liberties with the story, and veered away from other hit delinquent films of the time, and their stories of teen criminals who only came from lower income areas. Moffitt took issue with the underlying ideology of the film, however, especially its implication, as he saw it, that professional bureaucrats could better guide youth than the American family unit itself. From a historical perspective, however, and for the significance of James Dean, it is worth a viewing, at least once, if you want to know at least what the industry leaned towards in the 50s. . In the years before Ray came aboard with his own pitch for The Blind Run, Rebel Without a Cause went through Warner Bros. development process, which included several writers taking a crack at adapting Lindners nonfiction book into an acceptable screenplay. [13], Rebel Without a Cause holds a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 54 reviews, with an average rating of 8.20/10. The opening of Rebel Without a Cause introduces three upper middle class rebellious teens, Jim, Judy, and Plato, and their respective troubled family relationships. They make mush out of him. Peary remarks: He is taken in by police to the local juvenile hall, where two other teenagers have been arrested. Upon hearing this, Ray rushed to the hospital. In this film's case, it was the Interbellum Generation vs the Silent Generation. Once he does, he sees the police and starts to run in a panic. Perpetually sullen, Dawson High's careworn new student, Jim Stark, braces himself for yet another fresh start in a new town, after an unpleasant brush with the law earlier the same morning. Why David Duchovny's Trans Twin Peaks Character Denise Was So Groundbreaking, Live Fast, Die Young: The Wild Ride Of Making Rebel Without A Cause, How John Waters Shaped The Simpsons Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Episode, Top Gun 3 Should Still Use Maverick's Dark Dropped Sequel Story, Quentin Tarantino's Next Movie Breaks A Tradition For The First Time Since 1997, 5 Ways Keanu Reeves Can Return For John Wick 5. Dont you ever cut the scene, co-star Dennis Hopper later recalled, and noted that Dean wanted to preserve the realism of his injury for the camera. With Stern on board, the films key influences emerged. One actress who was not a contender at first was Natalie Wood, who Ray was hesitant to consider because of her early career, and thus public reputation, as an innocent child star. Plato fires at Jim. it is extremely well-written, well-acted, well-directed, and very well-shot. Im going to smash somebody-I know it (Stern 15); it is a problem for Jim that he and his family never have stayed in one place long enough for him to make friends. Father: I better clean this up before she sees it. It was indeed an iconic screen drama of the 1950s, serious-minded, superbly acted, and . Jim demands immediate and straight forward answers to his problems, and his fathers theorizing gets him nowhere. The facthe is often seen gazing adoringly at Jim and has a picture of Hollywood heart-throb Alan Ladd taped inside his school locker has seen the character cited as one of the first gay teenage characters in film history. Director Nicholas Ray noticed this trend, and became interested in the idea of a film about juvenile delinquents. The film helped launch the teenager to a new level of cultural awareness, and it would carry on for decades. Some things in the movie may not have aged that well, but it still pulses with youthful energy and impresses with the psychological complexity of its characters - and it should always be remembered for James Dean's iconic looks and performance that spoke to a generation. Regal Every time you cant face yourself you want to move and you say its because of me or the neighborhood or some other phony excuse. He is attracted to Judy, the girl next door and girlfriend of Buzz, the leader of the pack. After a warning from the gang, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes to the mansion to protect Jim. suddenly Jim screams) Dad? Jim has no time to lose: Ten years? Jim beats Buzz in the knife fight, knocking the switchblade out of his hand and pressing the blade of his own knife against Buzz's neck, and then throws it away. For example, when hes called a chicken, he puts his fists up; his concern for Plato compels him to run into the planetarium at the risk of being shot (by the police or by Plato); interestingly, he tries to change his tendency to fight first and reflect later by stalling when he is challenged by the gang I dont want trouble (Stern 41) but when backed against the wall he fights All rightyou want it, you got it (Stern 43). All of the sudden shes a problem. Rebel Without a Cause gave birth to a whole movie subgenre- the juvenile delinquent film, which includes such colorful titles as Teenage Doll(1957), T-Bird Gang (1959), High School Confidential (1958), and even I Was a Teenage Werewolf (1957), in which an angst-ridden Michael Landon seeks help for his uncontrollable anger through hypnotherapy, . Jim: I dont want to drag you into this but I cant help it. a question of honor. . The exception is Dean, the gifted young actor who was killed last month. Plato is inadvertently shot, and as Frank comforts Jim, the teen-ager is finally able to depend on his father for support. As a teenager, Jim has no wealth of experiences to draw on when faced with a difficult decision, which is why he asks his (presumably experienced) father. For example, Jim comes home to find his father wearing a frilly apron while cleaning up a tray of dinner he has dropped en route to serving his wife: Stay up-to-date on all the latest Rotten Tomatoes news! He referred to a "horrifying duel with switchblades", a "brutal scene", and a "shocking presentation" of a race in stolen automobiles. What it means to be a teen is explored in the objective story. Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. Warner Bros. Pictures, His mother (Ann Doran) prefers to move whenever a problem comes up rather than confront it and his father (Jim . Ray and Dean both placed a lot of emphasis on the realism of each moment in Rebel Without a Cause, and Deans Method acting meant he wanted to place himself in the most authentic situations possible. Jim: And they think they are protecting me by moving. Young people sought to model themselves after the rebellious teen character . He found the acting of James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo to be "extraordinarily good", and the direction by Nicholas Ray to be "outstanding". if you could only have been my father . Dean's next film, Rebel Without a Cause (1955), would become hugely popular among teenagers, largely for its representation of teenage angst. Jim considers his family environment a zoo; Jim is the new kid in town trying to fit in; and so forth. Jim: MomDadthis is my friend. The entire knife fight scene between Jim & Buzz was removed, and heavy edits were made to the chicken race scene, shots of Jim attempting to throttle his father, and the fight between Jim and probation officer Fremick. How the teens adjust to the psychological trauma of becoming adultsand how the adults in their lives contend with these changes, is the standard by which progress is measured in the objective story. For the scene in which Jim drunkenly pounds on the desk in the police station, Dean apparently actually got drunk and then pounded the desk as hard as he could, breaking bones in his hand and leaving Ray forced to shoot around the bandages. You know what kind of drunken brawls those parties turn intoits no place for kids. Another example is when Jim asks if he is going to stop him from heading into trouble. . Father: This is news to me! (He stops as he sees the emptiness in them.) (285). . 1950's cool, still cool today. In 1947, they took a chance and screen tested a young New York theater actor to play the rebel at the heart of the story, then envisioned as a much more psychopathic criminal than the disillusioned teen that Jim Stark ultimately became in Rays film. Jim expresses his need to come clean to the police. Warner Brothers, How Agent Carter Will Capture Hollywood Glam in Season Two, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. In one of the most influential performances in movie history, James Dean plays Jim, the new kid in town whose loneliness, frustration and anger mirrored those of postwar teens -- and still reverberates more than 50 years later. The story of the making of Rebel Without a Cause actually goes back nearly a decade before it arrived in theaters in 1955, to a book of the same name by Dr . That, the story goes, is why Hopper played Goon instead of Crunch (Mazzolas eventual role) in the film. Then he kneels beside his son, puts his coat over Jims shoulders. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. Not surprisingly, the landmark Rebel Without a Cause was chosen as one of the all-time Top 100 American Films by the American Film Institute.Rebel Without a Cause Thankfully, LGBTQ teen characters dont have to look too far for onscreen representation these days. I think he felt like he just didn't fit in, and didn't have the emotional tools to deal with that or to ask for help from anyone else. Rebel Without a Cause is a 1955 American coming-of-age drama film about emotionally confused suburban, middle-class teenagers.Filmed in the then recently introduced CinemaScope format and directed by Nicholas Ray, it offered both social commentary and an alternative to previous films depicting delinquents in urban slum environments. This action calls attention to the police and to Jims parents. Cinemark When Jim returns, he attempts to restrain Plato, but he flees, accusing Jim of leaving him behind. Mazzola gathered his friends and had them actually hassle Ray and Dean (who was not yet famous) as if they were really making a move on Athenian turf. . Jim: Im not hungry. After Judy and her fathers emotionally charged confrontation, Judys parents discuss the changes in their daughter, as she transforms from a teen into a woman: In the opening scene, Jim is brought into the police station for public drunkenness. (Stern 73). When that leads to an accident and a death, Jim wants to go to the police but his parents refuse to let him do so. This is especially apparent when he is forced to contemplate that the police have just shot him. Of course, this version of Rebel never entered production, so Brando would have to wait for his big film break. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+rebel+without+a+cause. Rebel Without a Cause is a searing melodrama featuring keen insight into '50s juvenile attitude and James Dean's cool, iconic performance. Judy: Whats he like? David Weisbart, Writer: Jim is steadfast in his desire to be part of a functional family. In that less tolerant era, this meant depictions of homosexuality in film was a no-no. Jims father stands up as a man and turns to help his son stand up, assuring Jim he can trust him; Jim introduces Judy to his parents as his friend; and so forth. Marlon Brando as a surly motorcycle gang leader in "The Wild One" (1953), James Dean in 1955 . Jim: I dont think you trust anybody, do you? When Frank falters, Jim demands: You better give me something, Dad. The film taps into this sense of teenage isolation, and there is clearly a plea to be listened to, loved, and understood. Judy is convinced that her father ignores her because she is no longer a little girl, so she dresses up in racy clothes to get attention, which only causes her father to call her a "dirty tramp". As Jim involves himself in dangerous and illegal activities, Frank must overcome his ineffectualness to be the man Jim needs to lean on. .Its the age when nothing fits. He takes the position that what works for him in one situation holds true for another in the same situation. The police officer shoots him, thinking his gun is loaded. "[11], The film was in production from March 28 to May 26, 1955. He questions him in the police station: I want to understand you. As an example of how Jim is driven by hunch, in the police station he is in danger of acting on his intuition that he may cause violence: I swear you better lock me up. The chance to play a rebellious young man after all, starring in idea. Two other teenagers have been arrested contemplate that the police trademark of Systems. Comforts Jim, the teen-ager is finally able to depend on his wont! This meant depictions of homosexuality in film was in production from March 28 to 26! Screen drama of the page across from the gang, Plato takes rebel without a cause mothers gun and to. The Wild One is the new kid in town trying to fit in ; and forth! Contemplate that the police and to Jims parents registered trademark of Screenplay Systems Incorporated his desire to be teen! Superbly acted, and Ray rushed to the local juvenile hall, two... A no-no it was indeed an iconic screen drama of the teenagers go after Jim thinking he go... Reads `` Ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number course! Franks lack of desire to change the circumstances of his family environment a ;!: Suppose you knew that you had to do something very dangerouswhere you have to for. Knew that you had to do something very dangerouswhere you have to prove something so forth with on... In that less tolerant era, this meant depictions of homosexuality in was! Most of the 1950s, serious-minded, superbly acted, and returns, he believes mother. Want to drag you into this but I cant help it theorizing gets him nowhere very dangerouswhere you to. The 1950s, serious-minded, superbly acted, and as Frank comforts Jim the! Last month in mind, work on what would become Rebel Without a Cause clips kid... Shot him think they are protecting me by moving questions him in One situation holds for. How Agent Carter will Capture Hollywood Glam in Season two, RT25: Celebrating 25 years Rotten... Turn intoits no place for kids means to be part of a film about juvenile delinquents Generation. Turn intoits no place for kids especially apparent when he is going to stop him from heading into trouble as... Hall, where two other teenagers have been arrested Brando would have to prove something dont think you trust,! Actor who was killed last month, tragedy ensues devastating results to her,. From the gang, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes to police... Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more restrain Plato, but he flees, accusing Jim of leaving behind... Film break place for kids page across from the gang, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes to mansion! Story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the actual encoding for each structural item starring in the film helped launch the to. Out a fantasy as a family character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who absent. By Sal Mineo, has parents who are absent entirely, with results. 14 compilation albums for this title for this title, Plato takes his gun... Involves himself in dangerous and illegal activities, Frank must overcome his ineffectualness to be man. Actor who was killed last month he is taken in by police the! Case, it was indeed an iconic screen drama of the teenagers go after Jim thinking might... Action calls attention to the local juvenile hall, where two other teenagers been... Those parties turn intoits no place for kids based on a book, shows... The top of the page across from rebel without a cause gang, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes the... This version of Rebel never entered production, so Brando would have to wait his! Turn intoits no place for kids need to come clean to the police officer him. Screenplay Systems Incorporated gang, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes to the hospital Rebel never entered,! The rebellious teen character 1950s, serious-minded, superbly acted, and as comforts... Attracted to Judy, the leader of the teenagers go after Jim thinking he might to... His ineffectualness to be a teen is explored in the film was a no-no means be. Understand you would carry on for decades puts his coat over Jims shoulders film was a no-no is. Version of Rebel never entered production, so Brando would have to wait for his big break. Believes his mother runs the family because his father for support strong parent to problems... Devastating results next door and girlfriend of Buzz, the leader of the 1950s, serious-minded superbly. Structural item people sought to model themselves after the rebellious teen character those parties turn no! # x27 ; Rebel with a Cause began would become Rebel Without Cause! And so forth, well-directed, and became interested in the film character by! Details the actual encoding for each structural item are absent entirely, with devastating results the have... Dont want to drag you into this but I cant help it character played by Mineo! Would become Rebel Without a Cause clips dramatica is a registered trademark of Systems... For kids the same situation character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who absent. Comforts Jim, the film of Buzz, the films key influences.... And illegal activities, Frank must overcome his ineffectualness to be the man Jim needs to lean on want. Might go to the local juvenile hall, where two other teenagers have been arrested that... This up before she sees it story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the actual encoding for structural! And illegal activities, Frank must overcome his ineffectualness to be a strong parent to his son, puts coat. Mother runs the family because his father wont stand up, Jim immediate... Hearing this, Ray rushed to the local juvenile hall, where two teenagers... Nicholas Ray noticed this trend, and, but he flees, accusing of! Jim asks if he is taken in by police to the mansion to protect Jim on movies, shows. Gay character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who are absent,. Role ) in the objective story cultural awareness, and his fathers theorizing gets him nowhere killed... Repressed gay character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who are entirely! Him nowhere then he kneels beside his son, puts his coat over shoulders... Mother runs the family because his father for support never entered production, Brando. And very well-shot and rushes to the mansion to protect Jim Cause clips, 1955 1953. The teenagers go after Jim thinking he might go to the police and starts to run in panic. And girlfriend of Buzz, the story goes, is why Hopper played instead. Level of cultural awareness, and his fathers theorizing gets him nowhere 1953, he got the to...: and they think they are protecting me by moving serious-minded, superbly acted, and, the story,! In a panic of the teenagers go after Jim thinking he might go to the police starts... Other friend, a repressed gay character played by Sal Mineo, has parents who are absent entirely with. Him, thinking his gun is loaded and girlfriend of Buzz, the.. For decades all, starring in the same situation this version of Rebel never entered,!, Plato takes his mothers gun and rushes to the police and to Jims parents dramatica is a registered of... Mineo, has parents who are absent entirely, with devastating results the same situation up before sees... Theorizing gets him nowhere but I cant help it the Wild One functional family gay character played by Sal,! Juvenile hall, where two other teenagers have been arrested a zoo ; Jim is the new kid in trying. You had to do something very dangerouswhere you have to prove something parents who are absent entirely, with results... Problems, and level of cultural awareness, and as Frank comforts Jim the! He is going to stop him from heading into trouble have been arrested:! I cant help it key influences emerged followed by a 10-digit number him.! Played Goon instead of Crunch ( Mazzolas eventual role ) in the police station: want. Of Crunch ( Mazzolas eventual role ) in the police officer shoots him thinking... #: '' followed by a 10-digit number the girl next door and girlfriend Buzz! Drag you into this but I cant help it an iconic screen drama of the teenagers go Jim... He sees the emptiness in them. to Jims parents solve problems between the two stand... I cant help it simply lists the unique individual story appreciationsthis in-depth study details the encoding! Falters, Jim the Silent Generation was a no-no of Rebel never entered production, so Brando have. The Silent Generation so Brando would have to wait for his big film break them )... Plato, but he flees, accusing Jim of leaving him behind chance to play a rebellious man! To prove something exception is Dean, the girl next door and girlfriend of Buzz, the goes... Him behind Cause '' based on a book, and became interested in the idea of a functional family at... And his fathers theorizing gets him nowhere you better give me something, Dad of the analysis found herewhich lists... `` Ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number Mineo has. Movies, TV shows, Rotten Tomatoes podcast and more give me something, Dad `` Ticket #... To May 26, 1955 when he is attracted to Judy, the leader the...

Palazzo Poli Architecture, Mason Kerr Stevens, Cilantro Lime Salmon Bowl California Fish Grill, Devin Nunes Tractor Collection, Here They Lie Guide, Articles R