Please lock me up. I'm gonna hit some someth about it. I'm gonna
do something I don't try to desk. Go ahead? Is that where you're
moving the last town or you're in trouble? They think then they can protect
me by thinking around the time you had a good start in the wrong direction
back there. Why'd you do it? What do you mean? Mess a
kid up? Yeah? Call me chicken, and your folks didn't understand I
never do. They think that I can make friends if we moved. Since
just move, everything will be roses and sunshine. But you don't think that's
the right solution. If she eats him alive and he takes it, thing's
pretty rough for you at home? Just zo? Why at the zoo?
I mean, he always wants to be my power? You know, how
can I give him anything? If he's I mean, I love him and
all that type of stuff at night? I mean, I don't want to
hurt him, But then I don't. I don't know what to do anymore
except maybe ye on. I mean, if if he had guts to knock
mom cold ones, then maybe she'd be happy, and then she'd stopped picking
on him. Does they make much shout at him, you know, just
mush No. I'll tell you one thing. I don't ever want to be
like him. Chicken, but just teenage Yanks is a condition that is old
as time. It has been depicted in film many times over, even to
the point where the stories in films have somehow become blurred together. However,
one film, despite being released nearly sixty eight years ago, is still as
transcendent, emotional and powerful now as it was then. It also features one
of the most landmark career defining performances in cinema history. Shrouded in Tragedy,
released in nineteen fifty five, directed by Nicholas ray Rebel, Without a Cause,
shows troubled teens in an effluent California suburb. The three key teens are
Jim, James Dean and his landmark generational role Judy, the late Natalie Wood
in Plato Sala Menino, all troubled in their own way, facing problems at
home that have far reaching consequences when they act out. Our opening clip was
Jim after being arrested for public drunkenness as a miner, he is released to
his parents. The heart to heart we heard is what he has with the
police chief. In our next two clips show the pain both Judy and Jim
have in regards to the turmoil and issues in their home. Who's arguing and
overreaching has caused this emotional turmoil within Jim? And then we meet Judy who
is just wanting her father's attention and is acting out to get it, including
staying out past curfew. Well, I don't see what's so bad about taking
a little drink. You don't know. I definitely he's a minor, missus
dark and it looks to me like he had more than a little drink,
don't It was pretty good in my day too? Oh? Really, Frank,
when was that? Can't you wait till we get home? Got anything
to say for yourself? Not interested? Hugh? Can't you answer? What's
the matter with you? Anyhow? He's just loaded? Honey? I was
talking to Jim. Well, I had to like to just explain. You
see, we just moved here, you understand, and the kid hasn't got
any friends moved into it. Will you hold a gem? Tell him?
Man? While we moved here, will you hold it? You can't protect
me? Do you mind if I tried? Do you have to slam the
door in my face. I try to get to him. What happens?
Don't I buy everything you want? A bicycle, you get a bicycle,
a car, You buy me many things? No, no, well not
just buy Will we give you love and affection? Don't we? Well?
Then what is it? Was it because we went to that party? Well,
you know what kind of drunken brawls. Those kind of parties turn into
it's not a place for kids. A minute ago, you said you didn't
care if he drinks. He said a little drink. You're tearing me appar
what you say one thing, he says another and everybody changes back again.
That's a fine way to behave. You know who he takes after? And
now Judy, he nets me, makes you think he hates you, Judy,
I don't think. I know. He looks at me like I was
the ugliest thing in the world. He doesn't like my friends, He doesn't
like one thing about me. He called me, He called me a dirty
trip my own father. Do you think your father really means that? Yes?
No, I don't know. I mean, maybe he doesn't mean it,
but he acts like he does. We were all together, we were
going to celebrate Easter, and we were going to catch a double bill,
big deal. So I put on my nude dress and I came out in
grabbed my face. He started rubbing off a little lipstick. M does that
needn go off my lips? And I read out of that house? Is
that why you were wandering around at one o'clock in the morning. Weren't looking
for a company? Were you? I don't even know why I do.
Maybe you think you can get back at your dad that way. I mean,
if you're not as close to him as you'd like to be, maybe
this is one way of making him pay attention. Did you ever think of
that. I'll never get close to anybody. Would you like to go home,
Judy? If we can arrange it. What's your number, Judy?
We'll ask your dad to come down and pick you up. Unless you really
don't want to go home, would you rather stay here? As I mentioned
at the beginning of this review, this film is really known for delving into
the human condition of teenage angst. One of those symptoms of that condition is
disagreeing with your parents, clashing with your parents, fighting for control it within
your life from your parents. While the writing and direction of this film help
convey all of this the performances are really what gets the viewer into the inner
crisis these young people are facing. While there are many scenes throughout this film
that depict this, our next clip is the one that, in my opinion,
is the best example. Following a game of Chicken that has a tragic
ending, Jim wants to turn himself in, much to his parents' dismay.
This is when I believe the full emotional range of James Dean is on display.
I'm going to the place. Did anyone see you there? Did anyone
see your license? But I don't. I don't know. I don't other
boy, Do you think they'll go to the police. It doesn't matter,
It doesn't matter, It doesn't matter. Why should tell you what? Why
are you trying to preach? Do we have to listen to a sermon now?
When I'm only trying to tell him? What do you mean? You
can't be idealistic all your life? Jim? Nobody, nobody getting a neck
to yourself. Wait a minute, you don't want me to go? No,
no, I don't want you to go to the police. There were
other people. Why should you be the only one involved? But I am
involved. We are all involved. Mom, A boy a kid was killed
tonight. I don't see how I can get out of that by break tending
that it didn't happen. Well, you know that you did the wrong thing.
That's the main thing. Isn't nothing. That is absolutely nothing. Dad.
You told me, you said you want me to tell the truth.
Now, didn't you say that you can't turn it off? Well, he's
not saying that. He's saying, just don't volunteer. Just tell a little
white guy you learn when you're older, Jim. Well, I don't think
that I want to learn that way. Well, it doesn't matter anyway,
because we're moving. I'm not telling me loose again. Well, this is
news to me. Just why are we moving? Do I have to spell?
I'm not going to use me as an excuse again. I don't.
Every time you can't face yourself, you'll blame it on me. That is
not true. But you say it's because of me. You say it's because
of the neighborhood. No, you use every other funny excuse. Mom.
I just once I want to do something right, and I don't want you
to run away from me again that this is all going too fast. You're
gonna give me something, you better give me something fast. Jimmy, you're
very young. A foolish decision, not gonna your whole life in ten years.
You'll never know this even had that answer her? Tell her ten years,
dad, Let me hear you answer her? Kay? Did stand up
for me? Stand up? You want to kill your own father. While
this film is wrought with emotion and difficult scenery, it does feature a heartwarming
romance between Jim and Judy. Our final two clips show this. First,
after a glancing pass at the police station, Jim tries to be friendly towards
Judy and is rudely rebuffed. Then, in our final clip, Judy apologizes
to Jim and beautifully confesses her love. Hi. Hi, wait a minute,
Hi, I've seen you before. Well stop the world. Well now
that's true, but life is crushing in on me. Life can be beautiful.
I know where it was? Where? What was where I first saw
you? Everything going? Okay? Now you live here, don't you?
Who lives? Hey? Where's Dawson? And I at university in ten Thanks?
You want to carry my books? I got my car? You want
to go with me? I go with the kids. Yeah, yeah,
all right, you know. I bet you're a real young yo. I
love you too. What's that? Oh that's a new disease A friend of
yours. I'm glad they let you out. Nobody Chicken. They always live
Which way university? Which? Which way is the university? And tenth is
that way? That way? Don't worry. Finally, Judy's confession of love.
I'm sorry. I'm sorry that I treated you mean today. You shouldn't
believe what I say when I'm with the rest of the kids. Nobody,
nobody act sincere. Mhm, why did you do that? So like it?
Ellipsy? So are you going? I don't know. We can't stay
here. I know one thing. I'm not going back in that suit.
I'm never going back. Listen, I know a place Plato told me before.
It's knowledge. I didn't mention I put the planetarium. What we're doing.
You can trust me, Judy. Upon release, many critics admonished this
film. They felt it was violent and disturbing. Those that praised it raved
about the performances of the three stars, the direction by Ray, the realism
that the film depicted and didn't dare shy away from. Filmgoers cited with the
ladder. The film generated over seven million dollars theatrically, making it the second
highest grossing film for Warner Brothers that year. It was nominated for three Academy
Awards, including Best Actress for Wood and Best Supporting Actor for Menino's Trail of
Plato. Inexcusably, James Dean did not receive a nomination, and the film
did not win any Oscars. Sadly, that is not the most tragic aspect
of this film. Neither are the tragedies depicted in scenes within it. It
has to be the tragic end of the three stars of the film. Wood
died by questionable drowning that to this day has never been solved. Menino was
staged, abbed fatally by a mugger who didn't even know who he was.
And finally James Dean, who would die in a car accident one month prior
to this film's release. He never was able to relish in the acclaim in
praise that his performance garners to this day. Everyone should view this film not
just out of appreciation to cinema, but to a once in a lifetime talent
that we never will know the heights he could have climbed. I hope you
join me next week when we will dive into the sinister minister with tattooed hands
with the nineteen fifty five suspense noir film Night of the Hunter starring Robert Mitchum.
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wm n H in Matt Conterton Unleash. This has been a classic film review
with Eric Pilcher