The Real James Dean: Intimate Memories from Those Who Knew Him Best

by Peter L. Winkler, George Stevens Jr. Narrated by Malcolm Hillgartner

Overview

In the decades following his death, many of those who knew James Dean best--actors, directors, friends, lovers (both men and women), photographers, and Hollywood columnists--shared stories of their first-person experiences with him in interviews and in the articles and autobiographies they wrote. Their recollections of Dean became lost in fragile back issues of movie magazines and newspapers and in out-of-print books that are extremely hard to find. Until now.



The Real James Dean is the first book of its kind: a rich collection spanning six decades of writing in which many of the people whose lives were touched by Dean recall their indelible experiences with him in their own words. Here are the memorable personal accounts of Dean from his high school and college drama teachers; the girl he almost married; costars like Rock Hudson, Natalie Wood, Jim Backus, and Raymond Massey; directors Elia Kazan, Nicholas Ray, and George Stevens; entertainer Eartha Kitt; gossip queen Hedda Hopper; the passenger who accompanied Dean on his final, fatal road trip; and a host of his other friends and colleagues.

Editorial Reviews

From the Publisher

"A fascinating compendium..." —Library Journal


“Editor Peter L. Winkler … provides cogent commentary on the validity of the various stories presented here.” —Edge Media Network


“A rich and remarkably well-done anthology.” —The National Book Review


“The Real James Dean by Peter L. Winkler is a fascinating read with each essay offering a unique reflection from one of Dean’s contemporaries. It’s much more approachable than a full in-depth biography.” —Out of the Past


“The book reveals an individual of complexity, admired by some and despised by others, but always fascinating. … It’s a must read for anyone interested in James Dean and Hollywood.” —Twenty Four Frames



“[A] corrective to fans, and crazies, who have done so much to keep Dean’s flame alive and shape his image since he died.” —Critics at Large


“[T]he most balanced and courageous portrait of Dean we’ve seen.” —Classic Movie Chat 

Library Journal

06/15/2016
James Dean is a legendary screen icon who only made three movies before his untimely death in 1955 at age 24: Rebel Without a Cause, East of Eden, and Giant, all on the American Film Institute's list of the 400 best movies of all time. Yet many don't realize that Dean never saw stardom in his lifetime; of those three movies, two were not released until after the actor's death. That could account for Dean's almost mythic status. At the time of his shocking death, scores of interviews were given by those who knew him, and according to film historian Winkler (Dennis Hopper: The Wild Ride of a Hollywood Rebel), those recollections would have been lost if not gathered here. There are personal accounts from many, from his grandmother to ex-lovers to fellow actors with whom he worked. The volume paints a picture of a talented but complex and tortured man. VERDICT A fascinating compendium that may be of interest to film buffs; however, one wonders how many readers care about this level of detail on Dean anymore.—Rosellen Brewer, Sno-Isle Libs., Marysville, WA

Product Details

BN ID:	2940178467282
Publisher:	Tantor Audio
Publication date:	11/16/2021
Edition description:	Unabridged

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