Sunday 11 December 2016

Rebel Without a Cause (1954 Nicholas Ray & story)

James Dean's struggle to communicate with his useless parents (Jim Backus and Ann Doran) is still the most powerful thing about it. Also notable is how messed up the Sal Mineo character is, though there they are the three of them, a little ready-made family. With Natalie Wood, the three stars were all fated to die too young.


Corey Allen good as 'Buzz' - now long time established as an American TV director. As well as Dennis Hopper as a JD there's Frank Mazzola, best known to me as Donald Cammell's editor. According to Variety's Jan 2015 obit:
In addition to playing the character of Crunch, Mazzola provided technical assistance on the film, advising director Nicholas Ray on creating the reality of rebellious teens from middle class families. He aided in the choosing of the film’s 1949 Mercury 8 Coupe as well as the red jacket worn by Dean in the film, and even helped stage the knife duel between Dean and Corey Allen.

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