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James Dean

  • TV Movie
  • 1976
  • PG-13
  • 1h 34m
IMDb RATING
6.0/10
350
YOUR RATING
Katherine Helmond, Michael Brandon, and Stephen McHattie in James Dean (1976)
BiographyDrama

A dramatization of the story of legendary movie actor James Dean. The film's writer, William Bast, had roomed with Dean in the early '50s, when both were trying to break into films as actors... Read allA dramatization of the story of legendary movie actor James Dean. The film's writer, William Bast, had roomed with Dean in the early '50s, when both were trying to break into films as actors.A dramatization of the story of legendary movie actor James Dean. The film's writer, William Bast, had roomed with Dean in the early '50s, when both were trying to break into films as actors.

  • Director
    • Robert Butler
  • Writer
    • William Bast
  • Stars
    • Michael Brandon
    • Stephen McHattie
    • Brooke Adams
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.0/10
    350
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writer
      • William Bast
    • Stars
      • Michael Brandon
      • Stephen McHattie
      • Brooke Adams
    • 11User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Photos3

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    Top cast20

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    Michael Brandon
    Michael Brandon
    • William Bast
    Stephen McHattie
    Stephen McHattie
    • James Dean
    Brooke Adams
    Brooke Adams
    • Beverly
    Julian Burton
    Julian Burton
    • Ray
    Candy Clark
    Candy Clark
    • Chris White
    Dane Clark
    Dane Clark
    • James Whitmore
    Meg Foster
    Meg Foster
    • Dizzy Sheridan
    Katherine Helmond
    Katherine Helmond
    • Claire Folger
    Amy Irving
    Amy Irving
    • Norma Jean
    Robert Kenton
    • Mechanic
    Jayne Meadows
    Jayne Meadows
    • Reva Randall
    Heather Menzies-Urich
    Heather Menzies-Urich
    • Jan
    • (as Heather Menzies)
    Jack Murdock
    Jack Murdock
    • Judge
    James O'Connell
    James O'Connell
    • Mr. Robbins
    Leland Palmer
    Leland Palmer
    • Arlene
    Christine White
    Christine White
    • Secretary
    • (as Chris White)
    Robert Foxworth
    Robert Foxworth
    • Psychiatrist
    • (uncredited)
    Bob Harks
    Bob Harks
    • Bartender
    • (uncredited)
    • Director
      • Robert Butler
    • Writer
      • William Bast
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews11

    6.0350
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    Featured reviews

    8MarieGabrielle

    Interesting film...

    Written from the perspective of Dean's long term friend Bast (well portrayed by Robert Brandon), this film as some good quirks and sub- texts to it.

    Actor Stephen McHattie does have the affect and appearance of Dean in some instances, he portrays the early start of James Dean as a somewhat transient and alienated life. Living in NYC and finally getting accepted to the prestigious Actors Studio, but living with a big name actor, who is just someone he owes a debt to, and to "pay the piper" as he tells his friend.

    The section regarding Dean's earlier family life could have been better explicated, but the audience does see his Hollywood relationships, including some decent cameos by Brooke Adams and Meg Foster (as Liz "Dizzy" Sheridan, who appeared in "Rebel Without a Cause"), and now plays Seinfeld's mother (credited as Liz Sheridan).

    Overall worth seeing , but better to rent a DVD or purchase it, for the true researcher into Dean's checkered history. This film shown on MAVTV channel in US is terribly edited, and MAVTV is not a good viewing experience, at all. 8/10.
    7sol1218

    You always chickened out before the kill

    Made for TV movie about 1950's Hollywood icon James Dean, Stephen McHattie, based on the memories recounted in the film by his best friend and room-mate screen writer William Bast, Michael Brandon, that goes deep into to life of the crazy mixed up and complicated person that he was.

    Bast first got to see Dean in 1950 on stage in the the play "Hamlet" that anything but convinced him what a major impact on the stage and screen,TV and the movies,he was to become over the next 5 years as well as decades after his death. Feeling that Dean was some kind of an oddball Bast soon realized that his talents were far greater then most if not all,including actor Marlon Brando, of the major Hollywood actors at that time. Getting more and more hooked on Dean Bast made things complicated for the actor in him being around when Dean was involved with the many women and young girls who were vying for Dean's attention. One of them young Norma Buckner, Amy Irving, ended up killing herself with an overdose of sleeping pills after Dean in trying to explain, in his far out opinions on the subject, to her what life was all about which made her far more upset-about life-then she already was.

    We get to see Dean rise from making coke commercials to become a star in a trio of major Hollywood movies on his more or less, without as he said kissing butt, very unique acting talent alone! This talent was shaped in Dean becoming a member of the Strasbourg School of Method Acting in New York where he was it's youngest member. We also get to see that it was in fact Dean's extreme near sightedness, his vision was 20/400, that brought out that intense and manic acting ability that we see in his movies. Not wearing corrective glasses on the movie set Dean, nicknamed "Squinty" by those who worked with him, had to squint and look like he was in extreme agony to act out his roles! That style of acting on Dean's part made an impact on everyone watching him in the theater as well as on the movie set!It was what made Dean an overnight sensation in his first staring film "East of Eden" as the troubled and sensitive youth Cal Trask.

    Even though Dean had a number of lady friends during his stay in both New York City and Hollywood they all, as gorgeous as they were, took second place to his love for acting and improving his acting ability in experiencing everything possible in in, good and bad,life to make him the acting legend that he was to become. Now in the late summer and early fall of 1955 Dean was at the top of his game and about to breakout in two movies,"Rebel Without a Cause" and Giant", that were soon to be released that he got himself killed in a head on car crash on September 30, 1955! That put an end to his life but gave birth to the James Dean legend that has already lasted more then twice as long, over 50 years, as his life did!

    Very effective movie on the life times and death of James Dean with a bravo performance by Stephen McHattie who's so good playing the part that at times I had trouble distinguishing him and the character he was playing on screen: James Dean. Michael Brandon is also very effective as Dean's friend who after Dean's tragic death had continuous nightmares in him letting Dean down when he really needed him like,in what the film hinted at, being not only his friend but lover as well!

    P.S As tragic as Dean's death was it was the person riding with him on that faithful day in September car mechanic Rolf Wutherich, Robert Kenton, who was an even more tragic figure. Surviving the car crash with a broken jaw and a number of broken ribs and bones Rolf for years got hundreds of hate letters in being responsible for Dean's death just by the fact that he not Dean survived the car accident! Suffering from depression and severe mental illness and attempting a number of suicides,in one case stabbing his wife and himself 14 times, Rolf finally got his wish by driving stone cold drunk into a building in Kupferzell Germany on July 22, 1981 killing himself on impact!
    9wes-connors

    The Little Prince and The Fox

    Not the life story of James Dean, but the story of Mr. Dean and writer William Bast. This is, in fact, their (partially veiled) love story. Mr. Bast was Dean's "best friend", "roommate", and/or "confidant" for the last five years of his life. James Dean and William Bast. Were they "just good friends" for five years? Not exactly. Bast wrote, and co-produced; and Robert Butler directed. The production is surprisingly high quality, considering the fact that this was a 1976 "TV movie". Frank Stanley's photography excels. It could have been a feature film. Perhaps, Bast preferred the guaranteed television audience, as a feature hinting at his sexual relationship with Dean would have been poorly received in most movie houses.

    Michael Brandon (as Bast) and Stephen McHattie (as Dean) are very convincing, as the young friends. It's sometimes a little difficult to determine if the "The Little Prince and The Fox" knew what they were playing with fire; however, it seems obvious that director Butler had figured out Bast's direction. At first, it seems as if the duo's numerous lovely girlfriends are all Pier Angelis (red herrings); actually, they are realistic, and help explain the complicated Dean/Bast relationship.

    The female supporting cast is pretty (and) numerous; Candy Clark (as Christine White) is one stand-out, believability-wise; note, the real-life Ms. White appears in a small role. Watch out for a very tender "barroom" scene with Leland Palmer (as Arlene), a disabled woman Dean takes for a ride.

    Reality sets you free.

    "James Dean" should have been nominated for several "Emmy" awards, especially considering the Brandon and McHattie lead performances, and the TV movie's relative production values. The film could be criticized for "holding back"; but, it could also be praised for being able to make its points without being explicit. Emotionally, at least, "James Dean" is clear; discerning what's left out isn't too difficult.

    ********* James Dean (2/19/76) William Bast ~ Michael Brandon, Stephen McHattie, Candy Clark, Leland Palmer
    10Stonefacetx

    Best James Dean Bio

    This is Probably the best James Dean BIO since it was written and produced by his real life best friend William Bast. While actor Stephen Mchattie (who plays James Dean) doesn't look that much like him you still get the feeling its him especially around the time of Giant. This was the first to show Dean's flirting with homosexuality which was remarkable for 1976. William Bast has since written a new book called "Surviving James Dean" which go much farther in detail then any movie has gone. You can hear an interview with William Bast at http://writingshow.com/podcasts/Bill_Bast.mp3

    I've seen this movie many times and you can probably get it on DVD at Walgreens for $1.00 since I saw it their last week.
    10danteq45

    Stephen Mchattie: Excellent portrayal !

    I thought the movie proved to be very interesting, as I did not know James Deans movies and life story. The only complaint I have is the quality of the movie sound was awful.I would rate this film on a scale of 1-10 for acting ability, and continuity of story as a definite 10 hands down! Its just too bad that this was not made by a major studio film with higher production standards. The introduction of James Deans Sexuality was done tastefully ,and did not distract from the movies documentary of the actors life story. As a summary, a movie well worth watching and an enjoyable experience. When he (James Dean) learns about the death of the girl who wrote him about her problems, This was the turning point of his decent into total depression. At this point I feel this is when his career started to fall apart.

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    Drama

    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Christine White, who plays a secretary, was once James Dean's real-life girlfriend. They were accepted into the Actors Studio together. This film was her final one.
    • Quotes

      [opening narration]

      Narrator: His name was James Byron Dean. He was an actor. He died in 1955 at the age of 24. He had starred in just three pictures, only one of which had been released prior to his death. Yet before he was in his grave he was already a myth. What you are about to see is one man's recollection - an image of the actor as seen through the eyes of a friend. Like all memories in is intensely personal, elusive and incomplete - yet it refuses to die.

    • Connections
      References The James Dean Story (1957)

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • February 19, 1976 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • James Dean: Portrait of a Friend
    • Filming locations
      • Universal Studios - 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City, California, USA(Studio)
    • Production companies
      • The Jozak Company
      • William Bast Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 34m(94 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.33 : 1

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