Beyond the Image: The Legendary Life and Career of James Dean

James Dean continues to fascinate audiences more than 60 years after his death. Although, his genius as an actor is often overshadowed by his status as a pop culture icon. In this visual essay, I do a deep dive on the man and his revolutionary career in cinema. I've split this video into four chapters, based on the characteristics that make up the James Dean Persona: Orphan (focusing on his upbringing in Indiana), Loner (his days as a struggling actor in New York City), Rebel (his three Hollywood films), and Pop Person (the impact he has left in world).
FURTHER VIEWING:
James Dean: Born Cool (2001) - • JAMES DEAN: BORN COOL ...
A Long Time Till Dawn (1953) (TV Episode) - • James Dean, a Long Tim...
James Dean: Forever Young (2005) - • James Dean：Forever You...
MUSIC CREDITS:
BLACK TERRIER BLUES by Mini Vandals
WILLY'S SUNNY SIDE by The Whole Other
COCKTAILS by Underbelly & Ty Mayer
SMOKE JACKET BLUES by TrackTribe
JAZZ MANGO by Joey Pecoraro
BEERY BELLY BLUES by John Deley
SUNDAY by TrackTribe
COVER CHANGE by TrackTribe
FILMS FEATURED:
Two Weeks with Love (1950)
A Place in the Sun (1951)
A Streetcar Named Desire (1951)
Hill Number One (1951) (TV Episode)
Has Anybody Seen My Gal? (1952)
Sailor Beware (1952)
A Long Time Till Dawn (1953) (TV Episode)
The Bells of Cockaigne (1953) (TV Episode)
Danger: Death is My Neighbor (1953) (TV Episode)
Hound of Heaven (1953) (TV Episode)
Keep Our Honor Bright (1953) (TV Episode)
Something for an Empty Briefcase (1953) (TV Episode)
East of Eden (1955)
Rebel Without a Cause (1955)
Giant (1956)
The James Dean Story (1957)
Jailhouse Rock (1957)
King Creole (1958)
September 30 1955 (1977)
Come Back to the 5 & Dime Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean (1982)
James Dean (2001) (TV movie)
James Dean: Born Cool (2001)
James Dean: Forever Young (2005)
#jamesdean #rebelwithoutacause #oldhollywood #visualessay #classichollywood

[@chris55529]

Less than two minutes in, and I'm already hooked. Thank you for the grace you have bestowed to Jim. He deserves it. Love ya, bro. Well done!!

[@xtina6569]

I discovered jimmy when i was 15 i caught 'rebel' on tv late one night and was just hooked the second i saw him. I'm 39 now and still learning things.

[@ceciliapolisena5819]

Excellent. So glad you left out all the "he's gay/no gay/Bill Bast/Pier and Ursula/human ashtray" mumbo jumbo and went straight to his importance as an artist and a huge influence on everything that came later. Congratulations.

[@dahken417]

Would you kindly explain your first sentence? I know you have some sort of point, but I lack context to translate the word vomit you put in quotes.

[@ceciliapolisena5819]

@@dahken417 Sorry, I meant: the never ending discussion if he was gay, straight or bisexual, the two books by Bill Bast (the first biography written in the fifties from the point of view of a friend; then, on second thoughts and more than 20 years later, "Surviving James Dean", where he presents himself as his secret lover), the one million words written around his relationships with Pier Angeli and Ursula Andress, and finally Kenneth Anger writing "Hollywood Babylon" where he presents JD as an absolute sexual pervert. I'm glad this video deals with the real important stuff and not more of all that.

[@markymark4027]

@@ceciliapolisena5819 If you do all the research, Dean was very in love with Pier Angeli... that was important. But all the surface level, sexual obsessions of supposed fans are a waste of time I agree.

[@ceciliapolisena5819]

@@markymark4027 Oh, I don't need to do any research, have a whole library devoted to Jimmy, biographies and all kind of studies about him, his life and his work, have loved him, read and written about him for 40 years now. I do respect his relationship with Pier, but for once let's just concentrate on his sublime art and forget all the rest 🙏

[@billbrock8740]

BRAVO! This was a stellar retrospective of 4 major ingredients that helped form Jimmy’s life. I’ve been a big fan for quite some time. I wrote and directed a stage play in 2010 called, JAMES DEAN: CROSSING THE FINISH LINE, then decided to create a feature screenplay in 2018 with the same title, yet reinvented the entire script. I kept one monologue from the stage play. Everything else was a fresh start. The feature screenplay won “Best Screenplay” at the 2021 Santa Barbara International Screenplay Awards, Finalist at the 2021 Richmond International Film Festival, and a Finalist at the 2022 Atlanta Screenplay Awards. The story covers the final 22 hours of his life.

[@garciadavid582]

I think everyone wanted more from him.wonder how much more he could have accomplished. What could have been..I got to meet his cousin at feast last year and couple years ago .Great person some good stories about James n him

[@anurimabiswas957]

this is such an accurate and wonderful video essay based on such a legendary figure. before christian bale's american psycho and al pachino's godfather we had films like rebel without a cause and a streetcar named desire. it feels disheartening to sometimes notice how these actors were mostly viewed as iconic hollywood symbols like marilyn monroe and were referred to as muses for other characters like martin sheen in the film badlands. feels so astounding to have detailed analysis of a person who is more than just a cinematic icon. love your channel so much :)

[@chinomatography]

Thank you very much for the kind words :)

[@morgantylerv9406]

James Dean will Remain Forever Young‼️He is Iconic‼️Gone way Too Soon, RIP James Dean🙏💔🙏💔🙏 but on the flip side, his mother was the driving force behind molding her son to excellent status. She'd definitely be so proud of her very special son. They are together & reunited in heaven now. 🫅♥️🤴♥️✨️🙏♥️🙏

[@markymark4027]

That was excellent. I'm a big fan of JD and have seen and read everything, so I almost didn't watch your video essay when I came across it, but I have to say, I can tell you did your research and really thought about it, including some tidbits and long quotes I'd never encountered before, and your perspective is refreshing and has been added to my own. You're not a by-the-numbers surface level analyst as so many are. You may find a closer analysis of Pier Angeli interesting. Dean was very in love with her as you probably know, and that relationship not working out accelerated Dean's self-destruction. She seemed like the female counterpart to him, his mirror image in many ways. Her later life descended into self-destruction as well. There is an excellent book about her called "Pier Angeli, a Fragile Life." Dean takes up a whole chapter. Great read.

[@carlcleary548]

I was born in 42 and I live in Michigan I remember James Dean lived near lndiana

[@abrahamaytemo]

I feel its a shame that Sal Mineo and James didn't get any scenes together in Giant (none that we see anyway, because the movie was cut heavily I heard). THey were supposed to star together again in Somebody Up There Loves me before Dean died and then it ended up being Paul Newman; I have no idea what their relationship was and if it was anything more than a big brother-little brother type thing they had going on but it SHOWED on screen that they were close and had genuine love for one another. According to SM's bio Dean's death hit him particularly hard and Yul Brynner had to come over to his house and talk him out of a deep depression that resulted. Aside from Exodus I don't think Mineo ever reached his true potential and I think that's in part because he didn't have JD to guide him or advocate for him (and that's a THEORY mind you). Such an underrated pairing tho and that's saying something given Dean's huge fanbase

[@fernandomaron87]

I respect your pov, but i disagree with it. I think Sal reached his full potential even without Dean, there's some of his performances like Dino and The Gene Krupa story, which really shows his amazing technique and how he could carry the movie on his back with no problem at all. Unfortunetly he was typecast as "The switchblade kid" and that hurted his career bad.

[@carlcleary548]

I remember all his movies a great actor thank you for sharing this video

[@CorazonLightLife]

Beautiful work, am so impressed with your presentation and enjoyed getting to feel JD through your heart.

[@user-zl3ru6cj7s]

I Was Born 1955 / Learned Of JIM When I Was 18 ...WOW ! This Guy Blew Me Away ...Dynamic And Photo Genetic ICON .... JIM Never Really Died " forever Young "

[@claudiasimpson9606]

Fantastic Doc on Jimmy.

[@ITS_DEMONA]

His life could have gone a dozen ways We'll never know

[@oceanasong]

East of Eden is my favorite movie, and Jimmy's performance is a masterpiece. Also, may I suggest the book "Jimmy and Dizzy" written by Liz Sharaden.

[@thelegendofthem6120]

My soulmate is James Dean

[@isabel4dean]

Rest in peace Jimmy ❤❤❤

[@sulk]

Wow! This is going to be the video I recommend to anybody if they want to learn about Dean! Absolutely fabulous research - one can sense that you genuinely care about the subjects in your videos. Side note: I also loved Richard Thomas in September 30, 1955; he played a real creep in a TV movie called Stalking Laura. I would've loved to see Dean play a real weirdo creepy character like that, too. This video made me so wistful for Dean's loss but also proud because all the praise you had for him is so true. I wish this video was 5 hours long, haha! Nice work again!! 💗

[@chinomatography]

Your very kind words made my day. Thank you very much! 😃 happy that you enjoyed the video, and also glad you loved Richard Thomas in September 30 1955 as much as I do!

[@nickz5907]

Thank you for this artful & thoughtful endeavor. Yes, you hold the subject in high regard, and that's ok, for where dedication is present, passion will follow. As noted, director Stevens took a year to edit his work. Dean wasn't ready, until he was ready. You've produced quality work from thoughtful preparation care and construct. One of the axioms of art, that applies to all the mediums, paint, poetry, sculpting, never rush a master. People who create, especially for themselves, may afford that indulgence. You start with a good idea, outline, then continue to build, willing to examine and refine. I like your work, I expect Jim, though self aware, would to. May you continue to find projects that both challenge and inspire you.

[@pprehn5268]

Thank you helping us remove the veil.

[@king_supreme1102]

Crazy to think him and my grandparents were growing up at the same time just a couple towns away from each other. Wonder if they came close to crossing paths at all.

[@bigkarl6367]

Awesome!!

[@mjj1434]

Yes, he added that part with his father in the scene.

[@fionaleigh6748]

Excellent 👏👏👏. Another throughly researched visual essay that has me wanting to go and watch his three movies again. And Elvis was a big supporter of his. I didn't know that but it makes sense. Thanks💕

[@chinomatography]

Thank you! 😃

[@p.j.gannon1646]

Love the so cool James Dean was so awesome ❤🔥

[@carlosrojas9589]

... este año habría cumplido 92 años quien nos acompaño en nuestros años de adolescentes rebeldes... tuve en suerte de visitar un lugar que homenajeaba a J. Dean en Paso Robles, Cholame en California Sn. Luis Obispo .

[@meaghanbruderlin9777]

Wow!!! This is such a interesting video of James Dean and I get to learn where he came from, how he became an actor of the 1950s and how he died in a car accident in September 30 1955

[@kinocappuccino]

Your video essays are some of the most original, compelling content on KZbin I have stumbled upon in quite some time. The only Dean film I've seen so far was Kazan's East of Eden and while I'm more of the opinion that it was not a very good adaptation, Dean's performance was probably the highlight of that viewing experience. Also, do you know if he got in touch with Cassavetes at all? I feel like I remember seeing something about him teaching a class at the actor's studio when Dean was studying there. Cheers and keep up the great work! 🤓🙌

[@chinomatography]

Thank you for the kind words!!! I really, really appreciate it. 😃 regarding Cassavetes: from the biographies I read, I didn’t see anything about this. Although, that’s really interesting and I hope to read something about it soon!

[@jacobgayanelo2347]

Great stuff! 🎦

[@jamesa.romano8500]

I haven't seen 2015's Life in a long time, not since it first came out, but I know photographer Dennis Stock's widow wasn't particularly happy with it and it bombed commercially.What's weird is that Dane Dehane who played James Dean in the film bears a much closer resemblance to Stock - and Robert Pattinson who does play him - I don't think I'm alone in saying - would have been MUCH better suited in the supporting role of James Dean himself. If the roles had been switched who knows if it would have been better received? Hindsight is 20 20

[@chinomatography]

I truly disliked “Life” (2015), but I agree with you 100%. I think it would have been a lot better with the roles reversed.

[@jamesa.romano8500]

@@chinomatography For real. Great video btw!!

[@chinomatography]

Thank you :)

[@ladysandbeond2628]

So awesome !!❤

[@RWAC685]

Top 5 Favorite Actors. 1. James Dean. 2. Marlon Brando. 3. River Phoenix. 4. Luke Perry. 5. Jeremy Allen White. 6. Kurt Cobain. Not An Actor But Still Famous.

[@chris55529]

*People who take the time to read the New Testament will get to meet this guy!!!! His mom was SO proud of him!!!!*

[@jep98]

Excellent work. Do a video about River Phoenix.

[@jamesjackson-df1hi]

COOL AS F***.

[@j0nnyism]

U should have included Alec guinesss seer like prophecy when he met dean and saw his new Porsche

[@Psykhix]

Can you do Montgomery cliff????

[@chinomatography]

Will definitely do Montgomery Clift in the future.

[@thelegendofthem6120]

Lee also helped Marilyn Monroe. She became a great actress and never displayed her full potential but she was much too sensitive for Lee Strasburg's method. It's to heavy on the soul like even Heath Ledger did method and the poor man died after

[@garciadavid582]

If Jimmy would have been in today's youths .he'd be a methhead etc. Back then even if people were born in bad situations they would strive to be better make it in life.

[@brettaustinjohnson6538]

Diahann Carroll next please. Or Sydney Portier

[@chinomatography]

Poitier is happening! :)

[@ricarellan]

Are you Filipino? I hear a Filipino accent

[@WilliamAndrewPhilipBodie]

Did read his mother did die of uterine cancer. and he was 9 years old. not 8 😲

[@user-zl9lu8qt9g]

Sounds great but I don't recall subscribing to this at all.And I'm really not ready for it at this time.SORRY.

[@andrerenaud8785]

After just watching your video on Alain Delon , I can easily why the comment section was turned off ! I have yet to watch this James Dean video, as your Glaringly late in the Video to mention anything about his looks and Homosexualality is laughable ! The talk about No Hollywood success should be your own fear to actually deal with this . As the USA has & is still such a Homophobic place . The very rare success of this (aside from Paul Newman ) , did Not produce another Male Star with looks like this until the brief liberal attitudes of the 1990's where Brad Pitt who skyrocketed to Stardom (along with unusually great acting skills) should be glaring evidence ! If looked at closely the personal lives of male actors who have this type of beuty has been shown to have gotten their initial success by the financial & infuance of Gay Men who have supported them is overlooked ! His open admission of acceptance of this would not have happened to almost any Famous actor in the USA, until the 1990's & possibly return to the omission in the growing Right wing of America as opposed to artists who are from or live in other countries!

[@HolasoyMai]

I'm glad I'm finally in the right mind space to watch this video because it's amazing!

[@chinomatography]

Thank you! Glad you enjoyed it :)