James Dean and Ronald Reagan: RARE Not Seen in 50 Years

Highlights of the live CBS telecast, "The Dark, Dark Hours" first broadcast on the General Electric Theater on Sunday December 12, 1954.
It was only broadcast once.
IMPORTANT NOTE: Footage from this TV broadcast appeared in Michael Sheridan's 2005 documentary James Dean: Forever Young.
This clip was edited by Wayne Federman, who discovered the entire program while researching a Reagan television retrospective for the Reagan Centennial.
James Dean, fresh from shooting East of Eden (a role which earned him an Oscar nomination), was on the precipice of film stardom. He died in a car crash less than one year after this broadcast.
Ronald Reagan, a movie actor since 1937, was beginning a new phase of his career as a television host (although still a frequent actor). His work with GE led him into politics and he was elected Governor of California 12 years after this broadcast.
I believe the jazz song is Birdland by Charlie Ventura.

[@kpopkrazee]

I love the way James Dean's voice breaks in some places, yet he doesnt the loose the character in the flood of his emotions, a proof of his unfiltered and raw acting! Reagan did a good job too, an organized and composed demeanor thruout.

[@vintagegoldenage]

the voice breaks help his character so much! :)

[@KVirello]

Dean: *pulls gun* *immediately tackled by secret service*

[@mariarusso4385]

Lol. If only Dean knew has a acting with the future President of the United States

[@Sato_Goth]

Never thought i'd see 2 presidents in the same movie

[@gisanneali-clarke850]

😃😃😃😃😃

[@ArunKumar-ym3hq]

Y 2 James Dean died at 24

[@truelove11.11]

@@ArunKumar-ym3hq James Dean plays 'Joe'.. (S)He is referring to the Monument Mythos, a pseudo-analog horror series which takes place in an alternate history where James Dean became president.

[@redjirachi1]

I know that's a reference but for all we know if he lived Dean could've decided to be a politician. I don't think anyone during Reagan's acting heyday foresaw his political career

[@sladeraide0087]

I love this reference

[@SeniorBae]

Wow, this was honestly one of the best performances I've seen James do. Thanks for uploading this. He's one of my biggest inspirations to become a performer like him. He's truly one of the greats.

[@BertieW0oster]

I don't know why everyone is so critical, I thought Reagan did a fine job acting here.

[@PoliticalWeekly]

extremely stiff, as is dean

[@waynej2608]

@@PoliticalWeekly I didn't see it like that. I did think that Reagan was a tad stiff, but thought Dean did real well. Dadio.

[@emmabauer1906]

Politics

[@davidmoser7849]

Victrola Fix your the only one

[@dunstonbrooks6886]

@@emmabauer1906 Correct.

[@philomeanasandopenocen8368]

Dean has such depth in his character here. He looked deep inside his own fears and loneliness. And put those emotions into his character. Great acting .

[@ThatGuy-kv1kw]

it was probably the quaker in him..lol

[@delmanpronto9374]

he's crying about something all the bloody time.

[@ericfarkas9199]

@@delmanpronto9374 that’s all he ever does. To me he was overboard here .

[@Xargers]

@@ericfarkas9199 he's always "overboard" for some of y'all... but that's just great method acting.

[@ericfarkas9199]

That’s called “chewing the scenery”

[@aaronhusar24]

I bet if James Dean lived longer he would've played the joker.

[@reechel4390]

An old joker

[@waynej2608]

Maybe, he would've been president.

[@samw.8734]

Adam West's Joker? Dude would've been in his 60's with Michael Keaton's Batman.

[@gonzalofelixpanchowhartons4993]

Fighting on

[@deanwille8130]

Aaron Husar maybe in the tv series! He would’ve been in his mid 30’s in 1966

[@rachelames5894]

rip ronald reagan and james dean

[@ibtunesoriginals2629]

*rip james dean

[@therealmcs1]

Man Ronald Reagan is a great actor and so is James Dean

[@underzog]

Reagan was unappreciated as an actor and James Dean was simply great.

[@underzog]

I still wonder if the war hadn't come along whether Ronald Reagan would have joined the a listers in Hollywood. I think he might have.

[@mickeymouse2able]

Soooooo true. This is mesmerizing. People watching this then must have been on the edge of their seats. Crazy good. "....this is a gun man..."

[@Nikes62]

Reagan was not a great actor, not at all. If he were he'd have stayed an actor and not gone into politics. He probably knew that. Reagan was a great showman. The smoke and mirrors kind.

[@Nikes62]

Reagan was one dimensional and of the wooden variety, his acting career came to a grinding halt. He became successful as a spokesperson for Westinghouse, then as the narrator on the TV western "Wagon Train", his last acting job, then shortly after he started his long foray into politics as gov of California. Even his first wife, Jane Wyman did not think that much of him as an actor.

[@GiovanniCloud]

Wow, cool to see two future presidents in the same room together!

[@ArunKumar-ym3hq]

Y 🥺

[@GiovanniCloud]

@@ArunKumar-ym3hq I'm sorry. I don't understand what you're trying to say.

[@truelove11.11]

​@@GiovanniCloud (S)He is referring to the Monument Mythos, a pseudo-analog horror series which takes place in an alternate history where James Dean became president.

[@GiovanniCloud]

@@truelove11.11 That's right!

[@csp0503]

😀😀😀😀😀

[@Yobbie72]

Great to see an American President play opposite an American Icon.

[@stevecochrane8799]

They were both icons.

[@mariarusso4385]

😁

[@amaneyugihanako-kunofthesi8849]

@@stevecochrane8799 And in another reality, they were both presidents

[@GiovanniCloud]

@@amaneyugihanako-kunofthesi8849 There's not enough reference to Monument Mythos in the comments.

[@amaneyugihanako-kunofthesi8849]

@@GiovanniCloud Then we make some. As it should be

[@matrox]

James Dean always ends up bawling about something in all of his performances.

[@jjcmark1]

There's a lot to ball about

[@CarmelMcQueen]

+jjcmark1 lol well said

[@caitlinjoy6332]

Lol true

[@jimbeck3230]

He was a natural born crybaby who, like John Wayne, was great at playing himself. Unlike Dean Wayne was great.

[@EBUNNY2012]

His mother. They're tearing him apart!!!!!

[@gregorydelascelles9962]

That line, "and if your not lucky that bullet won't stop me." Guess we found out a few decades later that a bullet didn't stop him. :-)

[@chiefmangas2367]

Gregory de Lascelles you honestly made me laugh so hard- on the inside.

[@mariarusso4385]

Literally tho 😁

[@jpcmd]

Wow. I knew of this TV appearance by Dean with Ronald Reagan as the 'Hepcat Killer' and have heard about it for the last 30 years, but I've never seen the actual and complete footage like this. Amazing. Thank you.

[@marcparella]

Gorbachev still watches these late at night.

[@InalienableLiberty]

So do I

[@Melancolombia]

Gorbachev sounds like a rejected pokémon...

[@richardfolkman]

You know too much, buddy!

[@martind349]

He'll lose his ibeck-damsel like that

[@gerardobrual6004]

Hwf-mFtc-FH-HMxu6lvLx73EskOVPhX2I_PRJ1CnNDRYz9mI8DS1qbZYA46lvcM6YFleaolcgtsC7KIAlSKIqUfS0IzsbLp6_L1up4AkeDfzAixNTC7CCXFhX2JGCoGvvsPykforkoFGCFseUgVL2PRH-g0x5JqYG1F-H7jMlyEoAXaja1SAjOZ0FtT6-6-W-0NG62Eb016wX2Dw4sfbVIZhgAElFZLZdUgiKBg1Birm740leAulNzHeapwtWJTbKCVnuUIx7otY3IKfEqe8IQETUJeSp7bYCLkj6CfF9qU6iD4tN_P-gYz3QLiRLjJjrXOyj-q_er8BrSnqs187-Lm_vb-zSFGJIpSm0tvpl-qw84blqfUY088S5S3tp2FQCg5ZBdQWTIQl1916SSKNofGeYwvYoUzsRTlYZxWbh584kifmTHFrcg5n9obwdVFeMppQ1Sskrp2KJiA3eJJyvT0IGxI9NBtZuXXirqjT84Jk4xLvFLKaxIxz1h-XadyKsKHHMbL40tOG5k9U5vCk1oNEI8IdXcMuc2LZ7FE_IegywJU_FPLjqNfJWXS7ROy53yArOoHElm7AxBkekHWj13DbnDIXoDaTGZ77Sm-0ZBlXMQOZGHVA_OrU7Cqma_4Thh1KgxS1736RCR4DXsrLY4YsbJtPijx38KJ52PMwMLXEImy73Ht9EoPPfblXjiAuljkeoF9HDGz348OWHpFZOsZvIhcMsJvWbKM-PwyJePip5PWWJ5QZ3T7VAk_47iGZuFoKtA7szmfh15amx3Ad5WQG3n-QgZkvyfI5pUzrLSPqrtR3kjHFfkaiV2rwpHVP7AzObERDV28Qf-v9PyvkhHmkl-UAmHJAc5yzeZgDftdFXLNKpGbz-_WtSoUIzF3NEwR35TRvCSUEnwnBVhZoDSX3v-jIAXC6ZUN6-EzH2GbF34Q6gFCMiqnWY4ruE983lsaCE_&query=Phoenix%20Dental%20Implants&afdToken=3B1gkXLwHPCa1AEg0fXXvjuv871NoIgDrDCnCmRPCDk7pvH3TKRvbp6o0CB7LwGJxGnv4VwLMajsgZ1JqLJkIXuCx3JzA_XgGalUlLeEUGw

[@barbarellagb]

nobody played demented like James Dean. He had tortured down ! that carved face isn't hard to look at either. mmm mm

[@lisajack5108]

That "mmm mm" killed me😂

[@IshijimaKairo]

God Bless President Dean.

[@sagiriizumi8079]

The President w/o a cause

[@ric7053]

😂

[@stardustgirl2904]

He was just crazy,behind the camera he could do any part.I wish he would of lived longer so he could of played more interesting roles. You can somehow feel his soul, when you look at him.James Dean was haunted by his tragic life he had.His mother dying, him being molested ,his dad not loving him etc!And he had the most beautiful face I have ever seen.

[@griff6413]

He could have been a good Joker in Batman

[@cindchan]

I interested in what kind of movies he would have directed!

[@stardustgirl2904]

@@cindchan I think Franko Zeffirelli's Romeo and Juliet ,is something he would of been into, being Shakespeare and all! He seemed to be a deep thinking!

[@mariarusso4385]

So true.... 😔

[@maijaliisa7339]

James Dean, you always touch my soul ❤️ Why you had to die so young... 😪💜

[@acousticguitarfan55]

Wow! So cool seeing this clip of Reagan and Dean acting together! The quality is pretty good!

[@sounds73]

Well played, Mr President.

[@jerrytraub8645]

Dean could act circles around Bonzo.

[@bmwii7876]

Frank , or Nancy Pelosi

[@dunstonbrooks6886]

@Frank Graham I'm sure she could do the crying really well.

[@kelsian_smith03]

Its funny how Trump was in ‘Home Alone 2’

[@Dalsemien]

Reagan was always a horrible actor. It's as if he is reading his lines directly from the script.

[@mariarusso4385]

I was so shocked when I saw this video. Just started finding out about James Dean and watched Giant and Rebel without a cause and always liked Reagan and his movies. This is was nice to see!!! Two American Icons!

[@Multi1mark]

I wish you had the full upload. This was a live performance on TV. WOW- What a great job that James Dean and Ronald Reagan did. Thank you for the upload. If you have the whole show please upload.

[@greyangelpilot]

Probably the best role I've seen Ronald Reagan. It's always nice when you have a Legend like James Dean to play off of. Nicely written, directed especially w/just a few cameras in B&W.

[@hotwax9376]

Fun fact: Ronald Reagan was fired from hosting General Electric Theater in 1962 after he criticized the TVA, an agency that gave federal government contracts to GE. His son Michael has suggested that Bobby Kennedy, who was Attorney General in his brother's Cabinet at the time, threatened to withhold future contracts unless the show was cancelled or Reagan was fired, and GE chose the latter. Two years later, the TVA was also the subject of a Democrat attack ad against Barry Goldwater in the 1964 presidential campaign, which quoted Goldwater as endorsing a sale of the agency.

[@hotwax9376]

@8 Bit Hero He didn't give the opening speech at the convention, he gave a separate speech about a week before the election.

[@ADDIDASSSSSSSSSSSSSS]

This was some of the best and most compelling acting that any of us have ever witnessed in theatre. Thank you so much for posting this outstanding and riveting video.

[@TheConsulC17]

"What are we waiting for? Let's bring them back home!"

[@immaterialimmaterial5195]

Amazing acting from both Ronald and James!

[@Htiler]

I've not seen this for about 59 years....great clip.

[@PKMNFan4664]

I seriously think James Dean would've lived had he been behind the wheel of a Volvo.

[@stevecochrane8799]

Yeah but it would have made a Nancy boy. It's better to be dead then uncool.

[@dunstonbrooks6886]

@@stevecochrane8799 Such is life.

[@mikeygoodboi]

The safest car ever designed.

[@angelracing]

good point... 😎

[@carl77242]

Great episode I remember watching it on television 📺 back in my youth years ❤it thanks for sharing this

[@rustyshadow7]

I wish James Dean were still alive, Ronald Reagan were still President, and Barry obummer were still in Kenya living in a hut with his brother.

[@waynej2608]

And I wish this James Dean vid comment section was not polluted by the likes of a scumbag like you.

[@fguy8846]

I never thought that two presidents of the US acted in the same movie

[@justlaugh87]

Damn, Dean is so in the moment.

[@Kabra2012]

Damn, Dean's work here was ahead of it's time.

[@samadams5299]

Oh James how we miss you

[@lovesfreedomtoo]

I had never seen this, didn't even know Reagan & Dean did anything together...I actually enjoyed it

[@benwasserman8223]

So moral of this story: don't threaten the gipper's family

[@FuzzehPeach]

I've watched this so many times and i can't get over it, James was so flawless!

[@Caitless]

James really was a fantastic person, and actor. I just wish we lived long enough to find out who he was, and what he really wanted to do with his life.

[@RWald8888]

What James really wanted to do was marry Marlon Brando.

[@sharksport01]

He wouldn't have survived the drugs in the 60's.

[@KolossalYouth]

James Dean was so cute! But at 23 years old here, he was a baby and too young to have those bags under his eyes!

[@jjcmark1]

It adds character

[@windstorm1000]

+Restless N Relentless Dean smoked a lot and didn't go to bed till late quite often--that will age one's face--plus his bone structure creates a more mature look.

[@sugamoppie]

+Restless N Relentless he had insomnia and he smoked a lot too

[@sophie_turner217]

Insomnia

[@sharicamonet9675]

She bags can be hereditary

[@EleyReiHer]

I love the background music from the radio

[@walterkersting1362]

That was actually pretty entertaining.

[@johnvoice815]

This is ULTRA rare. Saved it straight away.

[@frankesposito2182]

This Piece is Amazing....Reagan and Dean were Both Great actors and had Amazing chemistry together....

[@benabidnedjmeddine9234]

Maybe thre's a lot of peoples think that Dean have done just 3 movies as me in a recent time but never thought that he did a TV drama like this 'n' in addition with Reagan. Amazing.

[@franklinholt9520]

Two Hollywood Icons one ( Reagan) and the other ( James Dean ) worked only once On Dec.12, 1954 on C.B.S. It,s a good that we now have videos & D.V.Ds so that future generations can view classic & rare performances. R.I P Ron & Jimmy.

[@leszas872]

THEDARKDARKHOURS unironically sounds like a Monument Mythos title.

[@globalspiritualrevolutionmedia]

President Reagan was a very great actor!

[@windstorm1000]

I disagree--he was very fine--providing a contrast with Dean's rebel. Remember the character Reagan was playing.

[@SuperStinsley]

I really wish I could see the whole episode of this, it looks really cool. the pairing of reagen and james dean is pretty grand if you think about it. one represented youth and rebellion, and the other represented tradition and nostalgia.

[@pl5624]

Dean could do those crying..emotional scenes like nobody else.

[@vioricaneagu2251]

To see Reagan and Dean in this movie was a big Surprise for me..🔥.i didn't know that ex president was an actor also 😮

[@georgestevens1502]

Dean is so explosive and arresting. He demands attntion. This is a rare gem. Best thing Reagan ever did. Dean brought the performance out of him.

[@ianammarable]

Wow!! Honestly couldn't stop watching! That was really really cool

[@porflepopnecker4376]

Ronnie and Jimmy were both great in this.

[@realbland]

i bet if James dean lived longer he would've been the 37th president

[@trentbennington3332]

He did

[@noobethgamingtonthethird]

he was the 37th president wdym

[@annie-francelaparre7234]

Sure ! my eternal love and respect to Jamie and Ronnie ❤💙💌

[@MrOknoprob]

Reagan vs James Dean : The story of the USA

[@AnnaLVajda]

Yes sort of. Reagan looked pretty good in his day too though.

[@TheColdplay200]

Good one lol

[@cavejohnson2080]

Two presidents in one place? Fascinating

[@joshstoph]

Not James' best performance ever, but such a treat to see such rare footage of him! Thanks for posting.

[@sonnyspliff]

This is Amazing. Thanks for uploading!

[@LolaGK96]

I know James Dean never said that,people think he wanted to die young but its not true,he was a down to earth guy people who were close to him said he wasn't in fact a "rebel" at all,he was nice a polite and wanted to settle down and create a family all that bad boy image was in fact just cause he was a good actor in his films

[@J0hnHenrySNEEDen]

*James Dean is no Man*

[@buddyhoot]

I never thought I'd get to see this show! Very cool!!! Thanks for posting!!!

[@Brace67]

Wow! High and intense drama. I had never seen this clip before. All TV in those days was presented live and everyone was very convincing. Dean as always, so powerful. Imagine if he had lived instead of having his young life cut short so suddenly. Only 24 at the time of his death in 1955 and even then a true star which still shines brightly.

[@shawneedalegrimm9728]

Thanks! It was great to see James Dean with a big star. James would have been a big star and I guess really he was for the little we saw of him. Those three movies were so good. R.I.P. James Dean

[@whatwouldgordonramsaydo]

THANK YOU SO MUCH FOR SHARING THIS WITH US

[@iamzbacku]

Classic acting by a Classic Man, Reagan that is. Both were outstanding in this clip.

[@astearns1975]

Reagan and Dean...proud to be an American!

[@jerkchickenblog]

pretty fucking dumb reason to be proud of being an American

[@victorutu3324]

Andrew S Why they be proud ? Which reason????

[@geraldbaker4019]

If you see a President Dean reference, watch DEANDEMOCRACY on KZbin. You’ll get clarity.

[@bryanismyname7583]

Reagan may not have been a great actor, but was not a bad one. He was very dedicated to his career and had some truly good moments on film. His ability to memorize a lot of dialogue helped him become an excellent public speaker, first as a General Electric spokesman and then as a politician. Regardless of whether you agreed with his politics, he certainly succeeded in the careers he undertook.

[@waynej2608]

Blah

[@ThePkhoury10]

How funny, 2 presidents acting in a movie

[@RonaldReaganRocks1]

This is my favorite thing that Dean did. It has a slight "Pulp Fiction" feel to it. You can see where Tarantino got some of his ideas from in 1940s and '50s movies. Pill poppers getting into trouble and falling on dark times.

[@gordonowens7794]

I always thought he only made 3 films and that was it but now I see there are a lot of performances he did before Hollywood beckoned.

[@majestic7s711]

I thought the President held is own with Jimmy Dean. Nice job sir!

[@cynthiaaldridge3423]

I’ve never seen or heard of this. Thank you for sharing.

[@dallasjones8185]

I am surprised - Ronald Reagan's acting was quite good, especially the last scene !

[@aELVISgirlFOREVER]

oh, I love it when James Dean deances to the music :)

[@beverlykorte8581]

Yes 👍

[@saintben2008]

he was so beautiful when he was young

[@marvinwatkins8889]

Wow! What a pairing of actors! Two of California's most famous residents, and Jimmy acting the roll he was so good at. Cool, hip, tough, but when pushed or upset, so insecure snd unsure.

[@vintageparisdollanna1131]

James dean dancing had me dead lol

[@beverlykorte8581]

Me too 🤔😲

[@RWald8888]

Whilst holding his friends hand.

[@melanieperry9633]

Wow! It took me a while to watch this because I don't care for Ronald Reagan's acting, but he was actually very good in this. And I loved Jimmy's bad guy performance. It was very intense! This is truly a gem. Thanks for the upload.

[@frankwallace5934]

Someone said recently about James Dean's roles he's given a choice to do the right thing or the wrong thing,he chooses the latter then cries about it.

[@dantedantheon258]

I've seen that one before, running out the door crying, east of eden.

[@zejaguar]

I have never seen Reagan as an actor. Good actor.

[@MapleSyrupPoet]

Reagan has real nice hair 💆💚

[@TheFukaro]

Ronald Reagan was one of the best presidents the US ever had. we need another one like him

[@troybirch]

On Nov. 13, 1986, President Reagan declared in a national address, “We did not - repeat - did not trade weapons or anything else for hostages - nor will we.” He lied. Arms sales to Iran acted as leverage to assist in getting American hostages released from Lebanon. Missile shipments were huge. Two thousand and four TOW missiles, along with 18 HAWK missiles. By early 1986, profits from the arms sales were being channeled to provide unauthorized support for the Contras. Have we all forgotten the facts? Look into it. Unfortunately we need a leader with substance, not an actor.

[@capoislamort100]

MotherFuck Reagan!!

[@ilovety65]

yea,look at the jackass we have now.....

[@vanmoody]

troybirch Troy is is possible Reagan didn't know? If it was proved that he lied the Democrats would have impeached him. How many times now do we see the,"President didn't know" line with Obama? I bet you accept that he didn't know, why not Reagan?

[@troybirch]

Thanks for the civil response! Rare from either "side". Yes, it is possible Reagan was unaware of what was done- unfortunately, that is the problem. He made it clear what he wanted and fostered the environment where this could happen. It is also clear that Reagan did suffer from early stages of the horrible disease that killed him while in office. I agree that Reagan was the kind of guy you'd like to have a beer with, but we need more from our leaders then that. Thanks!

[@casperbubbles]

Wow ! Great acting .. even Reagan is great 👏👏

[@Johnsubmaker]

You're tearing me apart 😭

[@inkpenguy]

Dean slipped several comical moments into his films, especially in Rebel Without a Cause.

[@orthiconghost]

@AmazingArchive Thanks for clearing that up. I was also thinking of "The Unlighted Road".

[@giles422]

know what's amazing? it's the best acting I ever saw Reagan do.

[@RWald8888]

It isn't acting if you feel it.

[@demetrios4699]

This was brilliant.

[@jsingh974]

is this the full episode? are there more scenes or what? can anyone tell me how to watch full episode?

[@DookieLiquid]

where was this from? it's not from any of his movies right?

[@MultiMusicalheart]

thank you! I am a huge admirer of the late great James Dean. Liked Reagan too!

[@deborahbushard425]

I love James , he had so so much left to give, he would have done so well in future roles, everyone would have wanted him. RIP 😔❤️💐🕊

[@PapagenoJuan2]

That is amazing!!!! I have read about this in Dean books, but now I get to see it. thanks for posting :))) JAMES DEAN. MY LIFE IDOL :))) You can see a lot of his life pain in his work. So sad :(( He way he begins to cry ... so real :((

[@maryryder9914]

Thank you for letting us all see Great Acting!

[@thankfulrhino]

Wonderful, Do you know where the complete video can be obtained?

[@davidfrison2765]

Beautiful... Best method acting I've seen in a while... You can always tell which ones had theatre as a starting point... Al Pacino is probably one of the last ones left

[@matrox]

I wonder if James Dean had lived he would also have become President???

[@davidmoser7849]

matrox he would have done better then Ronnie

[@donaldthesavage1288]

David Moser I doubt that.

[@dunstonbrooks6886]

He'd have been really cool if nothing else.

[@baldvee]

kzbin.info/www/bejne/i33GnqKqh9SUjLM