Coat of Armor

In the film Drive, which opened in theaters September 16, Ryan Gosling plays a Hollywood stunt driver by day, getaway driver for hire by night. He’s a hard-to-read loner without a name, but it could be argued that his identity is right there on his sleeve - the sleeve of his satin scorpion-emblazoned bomber jacket. The jacket is elevated to iconic status by film’s end. He never takes it off, even as it becomes increasingly tattered and bloodstained the deeper into trouble he gets. Needless to say, I was intrigued by this “iconic jacket.” The concept is decidedly retro - and totally cool. Here are my two fave examples.

Marlon Brando as Val “Snakeskin” Xavier in The Fugitive Kind (Instead of a scorpion jacket, he had his prized snakeskin outerwear.)

James Dean as Jim Stark in A Rebel Without a Cause (The red jacket that revolutionized rebellious teens’ wardrobes.)

UPDATE: You can now buy Gosling's scorpion jacket! Halloween, anyone?

Ethical Entertainment?

So director George Lucas apparently thinks he has the power to raise the dead. He’s certainly a high and mighty presence in Hollywood, but he ain’t no God. Here’s the deal: A bizarre rumor began floating around the internet back in December that the Star Wars creator has been buying up the rights to dead movie stars, so he can “bring them back” with the use of new technology. Imagine James Dean and Marilyn Monroe co-starring in a new film together. Weird, right? And kind of creepy.

A Lucasfilm spokesperson quickly shot down the story, but according to ABC News, it might not be as far-fetched as we think (or hope). CMG agency, which has represented the estates of such late movie legends as Ingrid Bergman, James Dean, Errol Flynn and Bette Davis, said they have indeed reached out to Lucasfilm. No word on whether any definitive deals have been made, though.

Up until now, dead stars have appeared only as digital cameos in films - like Laurence Olivier in 2004’s Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow, or Marlon Brando in 2006's Superman Returns. Could a digitally rendered likeness of one of these films greats carry an entire movie? Or, more importantly, would anyone even see a movie like this? It’s almost like cloning or cryogenics - it prompts ethical debate. Shouldn’t we preserve the memories of these stars and just leave well enough alone? Computers can capture their likeness, but not their essence. It’s like when Leonardo DiCaprio’s character in Inception realizes his dream wife will never be the real thing. “I can't imagine you with all your complexity, all your perfection, all your imperfection,” he says. Yup, these digital characters would be just a shade, and therefore just not good enough.

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James Franco Wants to Revisit Rebel

James Franco just can’t shake the James Dean connection. Back in 2001, the actor won a Golden Globe for his portrayal of Dean in a made-for-TV movie (the resemblance and mannerisms were uncanny). Now, he’s taking on a project about Dean’s Rebel Without a Cause co-star, Sal Mineo. Franco optioned the rights to Sal Mineo: A Biography and is interested in writing and directing a screen version. The book details Mineo’s life as a rising young star in films like Rebel and Exodus (1960) as well as his conflicted sexuality, friendships with Dean and Natalie Wood and his untimely murder at the age of 37. Hmm...wonder if Franco's gonna reprise his role as James Dean for this one.

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Wanna See James Dean Point a Gun at Ronald Reagan?

Back when Ronald Reagan only had a Screen Actors Guild presidency under his belt and back when James Dean was just a quirky young actor and not the icon of rebellious youth he is today, the unlikely duo appeared on screen together in an episode of General Electric Theater which aired live on December 12, 1954. Check out rare snippets from this episode called "The Dark Dark Hours." Reagan plays a straitlaced doctor, Dean plays a loose cannon criminal. It's glorious.



"Do. The. Best. You. Can. Ya dig me?"

Oh yes, James Dean, we dig you.

What If James Dean Didn't Die?

What if James Dean hadn’t died in that fateful car crash in 1955? It’s a question people have been asking since the tragic accident happened – and it’s one I ask myself every time I watch his films. But now a South African advertisement is hypothetically answering it. The eerie clip, entitled Legend, shows what Dean’s life might have been like, had he lived past 24. There are shots of Dean receiving a lifetime achievement Oscar, directing a film, protesting against the Vietnam War and working as a humanitarian ambassador.

Not gonna lie, this is pretty freakin’ cool. It was shot over 14 months and a combination of make-up, prosthetics, body doubles and CG face replacement were used to bring Dean “back to life.”

The ad finishes with the tagline: “Given more time, imagine the possibilities.”

I think I just got chills.

Quick Quips for March 19th

"Mr. Dean appears to be wearing my last year's wardrobe and using my last year's talent."

- Marlon Brando on James Dean

Revisiting Eden

I haven’t yet read John Steinbeck’s novel, “East of Eden,” but I already love it—simply because I love the 1955 movie version (how very scholarly of me, I know). It was James Dean’s first film, and the one that sparked my fascination with him. He plays Cal Trask, a frustrated youth (surprise, surprise) that vies for his father’s love and acceptance, but never seems to get it. He’s in constant competition with his brother Aron (the “good” son, played by Richard Davalos), and Aron’s girlfriend Abra (Julie Harris) gets caught in the middle. I watched Dean’s scenes on repeat, studying every choice he made. The Ferris wheel scene, in particular. I could watch that scene a hundred times and still find something new.

So when I found out that they’re planning on remaking (more like readapting) the film sometime this year, I didn’t know whether to be excited or worried. I think I’m worried. So far all that has been announced is the director and screenwriter, and it sounds tentatively promising. According to Variety, John Adams’ Tom Hooper will direct (he ain’t no Elia Kazan) and Atonement scribe Christopher Hampton will adapt (I liked Atonement, so Hampton will do). The real worry is the cast. Who can possibly fill the role James Dean made famous? Thoughts? Suggestions?

(A fun piece of trivia: Dean and Paul Newman screen-tested together for this movie. Newman was originally considered to play the role of Aron. Check out the clip, if only for this priceless exchange: Dean: “Kiss me.” Newman: “Can’t here.” Man, they would’ve made a great team!)