Search - A Tribute to James Dean on DVD

The legendary James Dean

Annie Van Auken | Planet Earth | 10/03/2008

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Pictured is the collector's tin of MADACY's A TRIBUTE TO JAMES DEAN, issued December '06. This set was also available in a May '05 pack made of standard heavy paper. It was created to commemorate the 50th anniversary of Dean's car accident death. Extras: a Dean filmography, a bio and slide show.

DISC ONE has a 78 minute documentary from 1998 that includes Dean's life story, plus photos, interviews and clips from three TV dramas he participated in: The Bells of Cockaigne ("Armstrong Circle Theatre" - 1953), Hill Number One ("Family Theatre" - 1951) and I'm a Fool ("General Electric Theater" - 1953).

DISC TWO contains a 1957 Warner Bros. documentary, directed by Robert Altman and narrated by Martin Gabel (Marlon Brando turned down the narration job). Family members and friends from Dean's hometown are interviewed. Several stars are seen at the premiere of "Giant." Highlight is a James Dean screen test/outtake from "East of Eden."

DISC THREE features a made-for-TV film written by a man who was Dean's roommate when both were struggling actors. The story is primarily about their friendship.


A related item is the highly regarded 2001 TV biopic, JAMES DEAN.


Parenthetical numbers preceding titles are 1 to 10 viewer poll ratings found at a film resource website.

DISC ONE--
The James Dean Classic (doc.)

DISC TWO--
(6.3) The James Dean Story (1957) - narrated by Martin Gabel, plus archive footage of: James Dean/Clark Gable/Dennis Hopper/Rock Hudson/Jayne Mansfield/Clint Walker/Natalie Wood

DISC THREE--
(6.8) James Dean (TV-1976) - Michael Brandon/Stephen McHattie/Brooke Adams/Candy Clark/Dane Clark/Meg Foster/Katherine Helmond/Amy Irving/Jayne Meadows"