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September 30, 1955

  • 1977
  • PG
  • 1h 41m
IMDb RATING
6.3/10
485
YOUR RATING
September 30, 1955 (1977)
When Jimmy's idol, James Dean, dies on September 30, 1955, the small-town Arkansas college undergraduate goes berserk. He and his friends hold a vigil which turns into a drunk and, finally, a tragedy.
Play trailer0:57
1 Video
48 Photos
Drama

When Jimmy's idol, James Dean, dies on September 30, 1955, the small-town Arkansas college undergraduate goes berserk. He and five of his friends hold a vigil which turns into a drunken deba... Read allWhen Jimmy's idol, James Dean, dies on September 30, 1955, the small-town Arkansas college undergraduate goes berserk. He and five of his friends hold a vigil which turns into a drunken debauch--and, finally, a tragedy.When Jimmy's idol, James Dean, dies on September 30, 1955, the small-town Arkansas college undergraduate goes berserk. He and five of his friends hold a vigil which turns into a drunken debauch--and, finally, a tragedy.

  • Director
    • James Bridges
  • Writer
    • James Bridges
  • Stars
    • Richard Thomas
    • Susan Tyrrell
    • Deborah Benson
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    6.3/10
    485
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • James Bridges
    • Writer
      • James Bridges
    • Stars
      • Richard Thomas
      • Susan Tyrrell
      • Deborah Benson
    • 13User reviews
    • 7Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • Videos1

    Trailer
    Trailer 0:57
    Trailer

    Photos48

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    Top cast34

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    Richard Thomas
    Richard Thomas
    • Jimmy J.
    Susan Tyrrell
    Susan Tyrrell
    • Melba Lou
    Deborah Benson
    Deborah Benson
    • Charlotte
    Lisa Blount
    Lisa Blount
    • Billie Jean
    Tom Hulce
    Tom Hulce
    • Hanley
    • (as Thomas Hulce)
    Dennis Quaid
    Dennis Quaid
    • Frank
    Mary Kai Clark
    • Pat
    Dennis Christopher
    Dennis Christopher
    • Eugene
    Collin Wilcox Paxton
    Collin Wilcox Paxton
    • Jimmy J.'s Mother
    • (as Collin Wilcox)
    Ben Fuhrman
    • Coach Haynes
    Michael Lovell Farris
    • Edgar
    • (as Mike Farris)
    Tom Bonner
    • Radio Announcer
    Glen Irby
    • Band Director
    Bryan Scott
    • Dickie
    Bush Satterfield
    • Charlotte's Father
    Katherine Satterfield
    • Charlotte's Mother
    Betty Harford
    Betty Harford
    • Nurse
    Ouida White
    • Aunt Ethel
    • Director
      • James Bridges
    • Writer
      • James Bridges
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews13

    6.3485
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    Featured reviews

    10nataloff

    One of the very few films to examine the power of movie stars

    This autobiographical film is one of the rare American motion pictures to examine the effect that movie stars have on audiences, particularly young audiences yearning for role models during times of emotional isolation. Writer-director James Bridges ("The Paper Chase," "The China Syndrome") recalls his youth in Paris, Arkansas (called Conway here) to create a heartfelt work of escalating intensity as its impressionable hero, Jimmy J (Richard Thomas), leads his friends over the edge as they mourn James Dean. "September 30, 1955" integrates images, themes, and even the music (also by Leonard Rosenmann) from "East of Eden" and "Rebel Without a Cause," and adds resonances to both films. This little, unheralded picture needs to be seen -- as does Richard Thomas's utterly brave performance. The key to understanding this film is not to think of it as a "youth picture" but as a deconstruction of the movie star mythos.
    7Intermissionman_

    Obsessed Fans

    I revisited this period piece last night, about a bunch of rebellious Arkansas Students on the night the Actor James Dean died in a Car Crash. Led by a strong performance from Richard Thomas (THE WALTONS) and a Cast filled with up and coming Actors most of which are still working today. Many of you out there are in your 50s 60s or 70s and I think might like to watch this Movie too ? Also encourage you to visit James Dean s IMDB page, which is loaded with information about his Life and Times. I drive by the sight of his car accident often, just outside of Paso Robles CA. Movie is available to buy or rent on Amazon Prime. Emotional Film ! Directed by James Bridges.
    8hotfriend1

    Deserves a wider viewership

    An appealing rookie effort by James Bridges that has its moments. Yes, the quality is uneven but its melancholy, nostalgic undercurrent echoes Dean's effect on the disaffected youth of the "innocent" Fifties, the first generation to register his impact. Offbeat, quirky and, yes, melodramatic, "September 30, 1955" captures adolescent confusion, longing and the death of innocence, paralleling Dean's own untimely death. The day-for-night closing fade-out and elegiac music foreshadow a sleepy generation soon to lose its Saturday-night youth to rapid, startling change. Throughout, Dean's presence is often eerily palpable in an admittedly lesser effort that deserves a greater following.
    10JaneByronDean

    Great Tom Hulce debut!

    A film about the day James Dean died ... is a good glimpse into the lives of some fans that were so moved by his death that it changed their lives.

    Tom Hulce gives us a glimpse into more great things to come from him. His role, while not the principle character, is complete and real. The youthfulness and obsession (with sex) Haney has is so true of many young people but done in a non-sterotyplical way.

    A great film for James Dean fans, Tom Hulce fans and Richard Thomas fans.
    1mcrodas

    Would not recommend this film

    This is the worst movie I have ever seen. The whole movie is just kids bummed out because James Dean died. I saw this movie back when it was first aired in theaters, and it is the only theater movie I've seen that was roundly booed by the audience well before the ending. Don't anybody even think of putting this movie in the same genre as American Grafitti.

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    Drama

    Storyline

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    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      Richard Thomas broke his leg when he drove his character's motorcycle under a parade float while filming a homecoming parade scene.
    • Quotes

      Radio Announcer: This is radio KCON coming live from the heart of ASTC. It's just after 9:30 am and this is Tom with the morning national news. New York: The French delegation walked out of the United Nations General Assembly last night. The walkout came after the UN decided by a one vote margin to take up the highly controversial issue of Algerian independence. France bitterly opposed the move. Denver: James Haggerty, White House press secretary says that President Eisenhower had a restful night last night and his progress after his recent heart attack continues to be satisfactory without complications. Hollywood: Rising young film star James Dean was killed last night when his sports car collided almost head on with another car at a highway intersection near Paso Robles, California. He was 24-years-old. Turning to sports, the Dodgers won the third game of the World Series yesterday making it Yankees two games and the Dodgers one. We're supposed to have partly cloudy weather today through tomorrow with a high this afternoon of 58 Fahrenheit. No rain is forecast. This is Tom Bonner and we'll get back to the music now.

    • Connections
      Features East of Eden (1955)
    • Soundtracks
      Please Help Me I'm Falling
      Written by Hal Blair and Don Robertson

      Sung by Red Foley

      Courtesy of MCA Records, Inc.

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    FAQ14

    • How long is September 30, 1955?Powered by Alexa

    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 6, 1978 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • 24 Hours of the Rebel
    • Filming locations
      • Conway, Arkansas, USA
    • Production company
      • Universal Pictures
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      • 1h 41m(101 min)
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Mono
    • Aspect ratio
      • 1.85 : 1

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