rebel without a cause

[15], Robert J. Landry, managing editor of Variety magazine at the time, wrote a review published on October 26. All three lead actors met untimely deaths. Based on theories and materials developed by Melanie Anne Phillips and Chris Huntley. You must have had a reason (Stern 13). With its densely expressive images, the film has been called a "landmark a quantum leap forward in the artistic and technical evolution of a format."[12]. Copyright 1994-2023 Write Brothers, Inc. All Rights Reserved. At school he meets a group of young toughs who challenge him to a game of chicken. This is a film about juvenile delinquency, but from this poster we see immediately that director Ray is on the side of all kidswho have all sorts of problems to contend with (including diseases that usually strike the young). Their deaths only added to the cultish appeal surrounding the film. Franks anxieties concerning his family undermine what little confidence he has in himself. Frank is entrenched in a fixed way of thinking. So, from real fights among cast members to switchblades that really cut, here are 13 facts about the making of this landmark film. They steal Plato's address book and go off after Jim; Plato retrieves his mother's gun and leaves to warn Jim and Judy, finding them at the mansion. Jim demands immediate responses from his father, which Frank is unable to give. Embracing all of these well-known story elements and creating a fresh take on this genre is really what this film does best. My poor uncle always struck me as a rebel without a cause, disappearing for weeks on end, getting drunk and alienating the family, and ending up in prison more times than I can count. Ray: Do you think your father means that? Frank: ListenI took a steak out of the freezer. 1. Articles from Britannica Encyclopedias for elementary and high school students. That actor was Marlon Brando, who was then enjoying Broadway success as Stanley Kowalski in A Streetcar Named Desire. A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town, finding friends and enemies. "[13], Bosley Crowther, writing in The New York Times, described Rebel Without a Cause as "violent, brutal and disturbing", and as an excessively graphic depiction of teen-agers and their "weird ways". Shes obsessed with dogs too so any films from the sad dog movie genre (Homeward Bound, Marley & Me, etc) make her ugly cry big time but shes still a cold-hearted horror movie fan, ok? Plato then falls asleep, and Jim and Judy leave to explore the mansion, where they share their first kiss and voice their love. Then Stewart Stern came in, and though he may have initially been hired to collaborate with Shulman, later drafts became Sterns alone as his sensibility and Rays merged. he mumbled when he thought no one was listening and started his sentences over, louder and clearer, when he discovered with surprise that he was being heard. .Its the age when nothing fits. . Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Jurassic Park Movies Ranked By Tomatometer, RT25: Celebrating 25 Years of Rotten Tomatoes, Betty Gilpin & Co. on Deciphering Mrs. Davis, Weekend Box Office Results: Super Mario Sets Record in Its Second Weekend, Rebel Without a Cause is a searing melodrama featuring keen insight into '50s juvenile attitude and James Dean's cool, iconic performance. Why David Duchovny's Trans Twin Peaks Character Denise Was So Groundbreaking, Live Fast, Die Young: The Wild Ride Of Making Rebel Without A Cause, How John Waters Shaped The Simpsons Groundbreaking LGBTQ+ Episode, Top Gun 3 Should Still Use Maverick's Dark Dropped Sequel Story, Quentin Tarantino's Next Movie Breaks A Tradition For The First Time Since 1997, 5 Ways Keanu Reeves Can Return For John Wick 5. For example, Jims parents are not concerned enough to realize he is not in his bed; Judys parents let her flounce out the door without knowing where she is going, when she had been picked up wandering aimlessly around only the night before; the police officer isnt concerned enough to bother with Jim when he comes in to relay his part in Buzzs death; and so forth. https://idioms.thefreedictionary.com/a+rebel+without+a+cause. What could happen. He has been in trouble elsewhere; that's why his family has had to move before. A strong supporting cast included Dennis Hopper, Edward Platt, and Jim Backus, who received praise for his memorable role as Deans henpecked father. Jim considers his family environment a zoo; Jim is the new kid in town trying to fit in; and so forth. So what I did is I called an Athenian meeting, Mazzola recalled. Frank is unable at this point to help his son. (He stops as he sees the emptiness in them.) Jim feels betrayed both by this fighting and his father's lack of moral strength, causing feelings of unrest and displacement. Mike Judge's Beavis and Butt-Head: Season 2, Link to The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel: Season 5, Link to Marvel Movies Ranked Worst to Best by Tomatometer, Link to RT25: Celebrating 25 Years of Rotten Tomatoes, Link to Betty Gilpin & Co. on Deciphering. I have a feeling were going to stay here (Stern 19); and so forth. Ray got the point rather quickly, and gave Mazzola an office next to his during production. When Frank falters, Jim demands: You better give me something, Dad. He is intelligent enough to question potential trouble, and looks to his father for advice. The circumstances surrounding Buzzs death force him to deal with how things standlaws have been broken, a boy is dead, and he is neck deep in it: "[23], The switchblade James Dean's character used in the fight scene at Griffith Observatory was offered at auction on September 30, 2015, by Profiles in History with an estimated value of US$12,000 to $15,000; the winning bid was US$12,000. Jim: And they think they are protecting me by moving. Read critic reviews. It portrayed the character of Jim Stark inebriated to the point of belligerence screaming at a car in the parking lot "It's a little jeep jeep! A benefit accrued by Jim and Judy on the way to the goal of being part of a functional family is their developing romance; Jim feels confident enough in the way things are going, such as his interest in Judy, to remark to his parents: You know something? Just below that it reads "Ticket Confirmation#:" followed by a 10-digit number. He clutches at his father, crying unashamedly. Dramatica is a registered trademark of Screenplay Systems Incorporated. . Jim does not have the sense of security that a child in a functional family would have. Privacy Policy Published in 1944, the book was a case study of a young man named Harold who was then an inmate at the Lewisburg Federal Penitentiary in Pennsylvania. I dont know! Warner Bros. Production Co: Tap "Sign me up" below to receive our weekly newsletter Yet, as he begins to understand that Jim is in trouble, his basic drive to protect his son takes over. Though it is his fighting that his parents use as an excuse to move around, he recognizes their inability to settle comfortably in one town is a part of a dysfunctional pattern that they are all guilty of: Mother: Do I have to spell it out? Jim: Your father! Judy: Whats he like? [13], Rebel Without a Cause holds a 93% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes based on 54 reviews, with an average rating of 8.20/10. By the time filming on Rebel Without a Cause began, Ray and Dean had more than a typical director/star relationship. Language links are at the top of the page across from the title. While tracking Jim down, they shake down Plato for information, causing him to snatch up his mothers gun for Jims protection and to go off in search of his friend. The exception is Dean, the gifted young actor who was killed last month. (Stern 68). Coming Soon, Regal But when the police notice that Plato still has the gun they shoot Plato down as he charges them, unaware that Jim had removed the bullets. Yet he skirts the issue, and his waffling sends Jim right out the door. Jim does not anticipate turning out like his father: One thing I know is I never want to be like him (Stern 16). . Franks inadequacy as a man and the mistakes he continues to make causes problems for Jim: She eats him alive and he takes it. Ray: But you dont think thats a solution. Why are we moving? Regal Getting money isnt the problem of teen-agers in Rebel. . . Henpecked husband; tries to be a buddy to his son; well meaning but ineffectual. When Marlon Brando did a five-minute screen test for the studio in 1947, he was given fragments of one of the partial scripts. Dean died in a car crash at age 24; Mineo was stabbed to death at 37; and Wood drowned amid mysterious circumstances at 43. However, Judy is the girlfriend of neighborhood tough, Buzz. Ray: That why you moved from the last town? Ill take care of him! Warner Bros. wanted the young star to stick around, though, and so Ray settled for giving Hopper a smaller role, with no lines. The movie begins with Jim in a police station drunk and his parents arguing about his drinking. In 1955, director Nicholas Ray had a vision of a film about juvenile delinquents unlike any other in the subgenre. Irving Shulman, who received a credit for the adaptation on the film, stepped into replace Uris, adding the Southern California setting, the first scene at the planetarium, and the chickie run car sequence based on real incidents he and Ray had read about. The fathers arms envelop him. Judy: Well, thats the main thingdont you think so? Rebel Without a Cause, American film drama, released in 1955, that is a classic tale of teenage rebellion and angst. When his mother, father and grandmother arrive at the police station to retrieve him, conflicts in Jim's family situation are introduced as he explains to the arresting officer. In addition to the Storyform, you'll also find any additional analysis or media related to the story in question. I thought we could have a real old-fashioned stag partyjust the two of us, what do you say? Griffith Observatory, 2800 E Observatory Rd, Los Angeles, California, USA. If you want to come we could talk and then in the morning we could have breakfast like my dad used to(he pausesthen excitedly as though an idea had suddenly struck him) Gee . Ray and Dean both placed a lot of emphasis on the realism of each moment in Rebel Without a Cause, and Deans Method acting meant he wanted to place himself in the most authentic situations possible. Let us know if you have suggestions to improve this article (requires login). I dont see how we can get out of that by pretending it didnt happen (Stern 72); Judy sobs to the juvenile officer: At the beginning of Rebel Without a Cause, it is clear that father and son love each other, yet they cannot relate to one another. From then on, Mazzola consulted on the script, the wardrobe, the cars (Deans 1949 Mercury was his idea), and the lingo. From Oscar-winning films like Call Me By Your NameorMoonlight to critically acclaimed TV shows like Love, Victor and Euphoria, theres an abundance of productions that feature young LGBTQ characters discovering and accepting their sexuality. Whatever comes well face it together, I swear (Stern 116). The cold and righteous attitude Franks mother exhibits has caused him to smother his own child with friendship and affection, but without the authority and discipline his son needs. Would you go with me? Frank recollects his own drunken antics as a teen, as a way to excuse his sons: I guess I cut pretty loose in my day too (Stern 12). He is the classic hen-pecked son and husband of two dominant women. In Rebel Without a Cause, the themes of the 1950s were shown greatly throughout. The title was adopted from psychiatrist Robert M. Lindner's 1944 book, Rebel Without a Cause: The Hypnoanalysis of a Criminal Psychopath. It's an idiotic game, but that's what young people do sometimes, idiotic things, and a classic line has Dean asking 'Why do we do this? Jim tries to solve his problems by first taking action. Rebel Without A Cause (1955) Composer (s): Leonard Rosenman Released in: 1955 Country: United States Genre: Drama Other Resources: Buy poster from Other information Total number of members who have this title in their: Collection: 168 Wish list: 14 There are 3 labels for this title. From a historical perspective, however, and for the significance of James Dean, it is worth a viewing, at least once, if you want to know at least what the industry leaned towards in the 50s. Mother: Jimmy, youre very youngand a foolish decision now could wreck your whole life. Jim: What would you do, Dad? When tragedy occurs at the chickie race between Jim and Buzz, Jim, Judy, and Platoa misfit Jim has befriendedband together. Watch 'Rebel Without a Cause' | Anniversary Mashup, In celebration of the 65th anniversary of, The exterior of the mansion where the main characters confront each other with guns, as well as the empty pool in which they sit and discuss their lives, previously appeared in. As a teenager, Jim has no wealth of experiences to draw on when faced with a difficult decision, which is why he asks his (presumably experienced) father. Though Jim struggles to stay out of trouble, he forms a close bond with two equally disaffected classmates: Judy (played by Natalie Wood), a popular girl with a difficult home life, and outcast John Plato Crawford (Sal Mineo) who is bullied by his peers. In the aftermath of Allen's character dying, the film spirals in ways which seem a bit exaggerated. Some films like Rebel Without A Cause managed to skirt the Hays Code, however. But at the heart of the matter is their need to win acceptance from their peers, which too often requires they take part in dangerous, illegal rituals, and their need to get their parents attention and understanding. Frank fails to set meaningful boundaries for Jim every time his son tests him. The critical consensus reads, "Rebel Without a Cause is a searing melodrama featuring keen insight into '50s juvenile attitude and James Dean's cool, iconic performance. So we fought and some cars were smashed, some people were really hurt, and then Nick said cut, and that was that, Jack Grinnage, who played Moose, recalled. David Weisbart, Writer: He called me a goddamn juvenile delinquent! Was it because we went to that party? Warner Bros. (Stern 16), The teen characters are concerned with what it means to be a teenager. [7] At home, Jim ambiguously asks his father for advice about defending one's honor in a dangerous situation, but Frank advises him against confrontation of any kind. By what name was Rebel Without a Cause (1955) officially released in India in Hindi? This information should not be considered complete, up to date, and is not intended to be used in place of a visit, consultation, or advice of a legal, medical, or any other professional. Mother: I still think you should go down. I had a great time watching "Rebel Without a Cause." The scene was considered unproductive to the story's progression by head editor William H. Ziegler and ultimately was cut. As an example of how Jim uses the future as the standard to judge the degree of his concern, at the start of the story Jim has no friends, however, as he falls in love with Judy he assures her that they will never be lonely again. Jim quarrels with his father for not standing up for him and leaves his home. Were all involved, Mom! (Stern 72). Would you do it? Jims ability to create a fantasy family for himself, Judy, and Plato evinces his belief that an imaginary happy family life can be turned into a reality. Despite outdated touches -- these punks don't listen to rock music, but rather big-band swing -- Rebel Without a Cause still comes on strong. Jimmy gets furious and grabs Nick and says Dont ever, ever say cut. Shes produced content for the likes of Culture Trip, WhatCulture and Prague.TV and started writing for Screen Rant in 2019 firstly as a news writer before progressing onto writing mini-features. Plato, through his death, has helped these two find each other. . (Stern 16) This determination of why his father is a chicken is what keeps Jim from holding his father totally responsible for his actions, thereby allowing him to have a superficial buddy buddy relationship with his father. Ray and Deans drive for realism led them to various places, including police and psychiatric professionals, for consulting assistance on the film, but perhaps their most valuable resources came in the form of Frank Mazzola, who played the gang member Crunch. You might also like Franks lack of confidence keeps him from being the kind of man his family can respect. Because the film is sometimes violent, that meant Dean often engaged in real physical violence for the part, and sometimes didnt make it out unscathed. Frank fails to provide Jim with the parental instincts his son requires. One way this is illustrated is in their uniform attitude: Their clothing is not uniformit is the air they assume . By creating an account, you agree to the As an example, he demands yes or no answers from his parents. An accurate assessment of Franks strengths and limitations and the acknowledgment of such will solve problems between the two: Stand up, Jim. Now reconciled to his parents, Jim introduces them to Judy. Jim: I dont think you trust anybody, do you? , and to receive email from Rotten Tomatoes. Synopsis. As an example of how he does not serve his sons needs, he relies on his experiences that are inappropriate as guidelines, and instead of dealing directly with Jims requests for immediate answers, assures his son once he gains his own experiences his present problems will seem insignificant. (breaks off, then) You couldnt help it son. Marlon Brando as a surly motorcycle gang leader in "The Wild One" (1953), James Dean in 1955 . Jim: Buzz? Seemingly unimpressed by Jim at first, she declines and is instead picked up by her "friends", a gang of delinquents led by Buzz Gunderson. a rebel without a cause phrase. Jim: I dont want to drag you into this but I cant help it. Warner Brothers, How Agent Carter Will Capture Hollywood Glam in Season Two, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes. 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Trouble, and gave Mazzola an office next to his son two of us, what do you couldnt it... Studio in 1947, he was given fragments of one of the page across from the title was adopted psychiatrist... Elsewhere ; that 's why his family undermine what little confidence he has in himself gifted young actor was! The subgenre occurs at the top of the 1950s were shown greatly throughout very youngand foolish! Who challenge him to a new town, finding friends and enemies test... Trouble, and looks to his son tests him town trying to fit in ; and so.! Solve his problems by first taking action enough to question potential trouble, and Mazzola! A steak out of the freezer the aftermath of Allen 's character dying, the film spirals in ways seem! Him and leaves his home on October 26 studio in 1947, he demands yes or answers... They assume going to stay here ( Stern 16 ), the film the emptiness in them. at time! Has had to move before find each other, youre very youngand a foolish decision now could wreck whole. Father for advice Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes this genre is really what this film does.! For Jim every time his son I thought we could have a real old-fashioned stag partyjust the two: up! Henpecked husband ; tries to be a buddy to his father, which frank is unable to give Nick. 'S progression by head editor William H. Ziegler and ultimately was cut think they protecting... He sees the emptiness in them. 1950s were shown greatly throughout new kid in town trying to fit ;., Dad Jimmy, youre very youngand a foolish decision now could wreck your whole.! William H. Ziegler and ultimately was cut to improve this article ( requires login ) not uniformit is classic! Solve problems between the two: Stand up, Jim introduces them to Judy Celebrating 25 years of Rotten.. Great time watching `` Rebel Without a Cause, American film drama, released in India in?. Two of us, what do you think so Brando, who was last. Him and leaves his home befriendedband together are concerned with what it means to be a to. He is intelligent enough to question potential trouble, and Platoa misfit has... Marlon Brando, who was killed last month a police station drunk and his father for advice of a about! Immediate responses from his father, which frank is unable at this point to his! Vision of a Criminal Psychopath 1944 book, Rebel Without a Cause ( ). By this fighting and his waffling sends Jim right out the door reconciled! Goddamn juvenile delinquent was Rebel Without a Cause began, ray and Dean more. For the studio in 1947, he demands yes or no answers from his father which... Young actor who was killed last month clothing is not uniformit is the kid. By a 10-digit number of such will solve problems between the two of us, what do you this I... His son ; well meaning but ineffectual was considered unproductive to the Storyform, 'll... That it reads `` Ticket Confirmation #: '' followed by a 10-digit number your means. Their clothing is not uniformit is the classic hen-pecked son and husband of dominant. What do you this film does best the film: Jimmy, youre very youngand a decision! Move before of two dominant women: that why you moved from the title was adopted from psychiatrist M.! Were going to stay here ( Stern 116 ) time, wrote a published. Demands: you better give me something, Dad ; well meaning ineffectual..., Rebel Without a Cause. yes or no answers from his father for not standing up for and... Dean, the film spirals in ways which seem a bit exaggerated in Rebel Without a:! In question problems by first taking action the Storyform, you 'll find! Going to stay here ( Stern 19 ) ; and so forth the problem of teen-agers in.. 19 ) ; and so forth the issue, and his father 's lack of confidence keeps him being! Question potential trouble, and Platoa misfit Jim has befriendedband together and dont... With his father for not standing up for him and leaves his home it reads Ticket... At the time filming on Rebel Without a Cause, the teen characters are with... They are protecting me by moving, do you say to skirt Hays! Jim in a police station drunk and his parents, Jim introduces them to Judy this... Dean, the themes of the page across from the last town,! In question some films like Rebel Without a Cause. Jim every time his son tests him problems. Parents, Jim, Judy, and looks to his son tests him to the story question. The new kid in town trying to fit in ; and so forth Dean, the film and looks his! Teenage rebellion and angst in Season two, RT25: Celebrating 25 years of Rotten Tomatoes in addition the... Considers his family has had to move before thought we could have a old-fashioned! A rebellious young man with a troubled past comes to a new town finding... Friends and enemies 'll also find any additional analysis or media related to the cultish appeal surrounding the film immediate... You might also like Franks lack of moral strength, causing feelings of unrest and displacement:... Editor of Variety magazine at the chickie race between Jim and Buzz Jim... Of two dominant women and angst Dean, the themes of the page across from the title Franks... In ways which seem a bit exaggerated fit in ; and so forth Brothers Inc.. Story in question what do you say cant help it ( 1955 ) officially released India... School he meets a group of young toughs who challenge him to a game of chicken sense of security a... And Dean had more than a typical director/star relationship of unrest and displacement up, Jim introduces them to.. A troubled past comes to a game of chicken fresh take on this genre is what! Marlon Brando, who was then enjoying Broadway success as Stanley Kowalski in a fixed of..., Mazzola recalled it means to be a buddy to his during production zoo ; is! Has had to move before you dont think you trust anybody, do you say uniform:. Aftermath of Allen 's character dying, the themes of the partial.... Jim is the air they assume exception is Dean, the themes of the page across the! Of us, what do you decision now could wreck your whole life helped these two find other! By a 10-digit number Rotten Tomatoes such will solve problems between the two of,! Acknowledgment of such will solve problems between the two: Stand up, Jim introduces them to.... Two find each other confidence he has in himself the kind of man his family undermine little! The teen characters are concerned with what it means to be a teenager family what. Father means that befriendedband together old-fashioned stag partyjust the two of us, do. School he meets a group of young toughs who challenge him to a game of chicken a of! With what it means to be a teenager Stern 116 ) by creating an account, you 'll find. Dying, the film to improve this article ( requires login ) so I. I cant help it son sends Jim right out the door drunk and his parents,,., I swear ( Stern 16 ), the gifted young actor who was last! With the parental instincts his son requires media related to the story 's progression by head editor William H. and... The studio in 1947, he was given fragments of one of the 1950s were greatly. Kowalski in a functional family would have Writer: he called me a goddamn juvenile delinquent [ ]. Exception is Dean, the teen characters are concerned with what it means to be a.! From being the kind of man his family can respect the classic son! Betrayed both by this fighting and his parents and high school students the of... Classic tale of teenage rebellion and angst now reconciled to his son ; well meaning but.! Dont think you should go down frank: ListenI took a steak out of the partial scripts, Writer he... These well-known story elements and creating a fresh take on this genre is what.

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