James Dean: A Biography - Softcover

Howlett, John

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0859652432 ISBN 13: 9780859652438

Publisher: Plexus Publishing Ltd, 1997

Synopsis

Five decades after the death of James Dean, he is still revered as a distant myth and remains an enigma to a generation that hardly knows him. Yet it is this generation that has made him the most idolized actor of all time. While his film career lasted only sixteen months, it produced three cinematic greats: "East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause" and "Giant." John Howlett has conducted extensive research and interviews with actors and directors who knew Dean, to produce a revealing portrait of a complex and tragic man - the perfect embodiment of an eternal struggle who was an inspiration to several generations of rebels without a cause. His anguish was exquisitely genuine on and off the screen, and his moments of joy are rare and precious. Here is James Dean from all sides: his talent for interpreting and expressing his role as an actor, his rebellious nature, his personal frankness, his ever-probing curiosity, his tenacious struggle for success, and his sadness and sensitivity.

About this title

From the Back Cover

James Dean died in 1955 at the age of 24, blazing out his position as the 'first American teenager' and destined forever to exemplify the spirit of rebellion and defiance. His film career lasted only sixteen months, but it produced three cinematic greats: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant. This definitive and balanced study, now fully updated, cuts through all the different legends around James Dean and shows the man behind the myth. John Howlett interviewed many actors, friends and lovers who knew Dean in New York and Hollywood, and for this new edition has incorporated fascinating new material about James Dean's sexuality and significant information that has come to light from the opening of the Warner Brothers archives on Dean.

Edition details

• Publisher: Plexus Publishing Ltd
• Publication date: 1997
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0859652432
• ISBN 13: 9780859652438
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 2
• Number of pages: 192