Reviewed by Melissa Garza
James Dean was one of the greatest actors of all time. His performance in Rebel Without a Cause still packs a punch. The edge of teen angst, doubt and self-pity was shown in such a realistic manner that in many ways it was years before its time. There is little doubt that the film at least partially inspired classics like The Breakfast Club, Cry Baby, and American Graffiti.
Rebel Without a Cause wasn’t Dean’s only contributions. East of Eden is a classic that bares much similarity to the parable The Prodigal Son. Once again, Dean was given the ability to show inner turmoil, this time in a more mature role. His last film, the epic Giant follows two generations of Texan ranchers.
One has to what other masterpieces Dean would have been a part of if not for his tragic demise.
Nearly 57 years to the day, one of the greatest actors of all time, James Dean died in a
car accident. Oddly, this was just after he had done a public service announcement denouncing speeding. He adlibbed the final line which said, “The life you might save might be mine.”
On September 30, 1955, he and his mechanic decided to drive his very rare silver Porsche 550 Spyder. Only 90 of this specific car existed. At 3:30 PM, Dean was stopped and cited for speeding. He and his mechanic continued driving. Approximately two hours later, Dean witnessed a 1950 Ford Custom coupe that was driving too quickly. He knew an accident was imminent and attempted to miss the vehicle by power-steering his car in a move called “side-stepping.” Sadly, the move failed as there wasn’t enough space or time and the vehicles hit head on. Dean was pronounced DOA. His mechanic lived but was severely injured.
Dean’s death is definitely a major Hollywood tragedy, but the incidents surrounding the vehicle have led many to believe that the car is cursed.
The car is connected to at least two deaths and multiple serious injuries.
The first death was Troy McHenry. Troy McHenry purchased the car and used the
engine to rebuild his Porsche. On October 22, 1956, McHenry participated in a race and died in a car crash. This was the first time he took his Porche out since changing the engine. During this same race, another driver William Eschrid had parts from the vehicle in his car as well. Though Eschrid lived, his car flipped over as it had locked up when he went into a curve. Both men had felt that there was something eerie about the car prior to driving it but ignored their apprehension. After the race, a young kid attempted to steal the steering wheel from Eschrid’s vehicle. Originally of course the part had belonged to the Porche. While uninstalling it, the kid severely gashed his arm
George Barkuis was yet another casualty. He was bringing the shell of the vehicle to an exhibit in Salinas. The truck skidded and then crashed. He was thrown from the truck and then the Porche fell directly on top of him. The driver was killed and the shell disappeared never to be recovered.
George Barris was the second person to own the vehicle after Dean. He purchased it for $2500. His intent was to sell the car for parts but it rolled off the truck and onto a mechanic breaking both of his legs.
A gentleman from New York who had purchased the two front tires from Barris was injured when both simultaneously blew out while driving.
Afterwards, a doctor purchased the transmission from the vehicle and was seriously injured in a car accident.
California Highway Patrol attempted to utilize the vehicle to teach about safe driving. Just a few days after bringing the Spyder into the garage, the entire place burnt down. Everything was destroyed except for Dean’s car.
It was then put on exhibit in Sacramento. It fell and broke the hip of a young man.
Currently, no one knows where Dean’s vehicle is. Maybe that’s a good thing! One has
to wonder if inanimate objects can be cursed or can curse others. In John Carpenter’s Christine (1983), the car helps the lead character Arnie (Keith Gordon) get revenge on the bullies who made his life hell. Ultimately, the car turns on anyone close to Arnie as it grows jealous.
In The Car (1977) a possessed vehicle goes on a murderous rampage killing everyone who it encounters. In The Twilight Zone episode You Drive (1964) Oliver (Edward Andrews) is a driver in a hit-and-run. The vehicle forces him to drive to the police station in effort to make him confess.
Of course, all these examples are fiction, but what of James Dean’s car. Is it just a series of coincidences? If all the injuries and deaths are true, can it merely be a bunch of tragedies that are unrelated? I don’t think so….but then what is it? And whatever it is, was it the reason that James Dean didn’t get to live a long life?
We may never know the answers to all these questions but they will always rest in the recesses of your mind. The need to know the unknown is such a strong emotion that it can easily drive one mad. All I can say is that until we know the truth, it’s a good idea to be extra nice to your car. Talk sweet to it, bring it for a wash and wax and keep the inside looking nice. Otherwise, who knows what it will do?
FREAKY! Thanks for sharing this because I really had no idea how James Dean died, or even who he really was. Several of the older women I work with at DISH talk about him as if he was the cat’s meow, and recommended that I check out his movies so I could see what they’re talking about. I’ve added a few that I’ve found on IMDB to my Blockbuster @Home queue, so shortly I’ll have a ton of his movies to see what the big hype was all about. Thanks again!
Thanks for the comment! Definitely check out some of James Dean’s movies. Rebel without a cause is amazing.
Rebel Without a Cause was so sad, and I wasn’t expecting it to be so deep. I’ve also taken to being more kind to my car, especially after the mishap with that door of the car that crashed in RWaC. Thanks so much for the recommendation!
So glad you liked it!!! Great taste indeed. You must try East of Eden next. Usually the local library has it. I know it’s fairly cheap on Amazon too. If you have a roku or don’t mind watching it on your computer you can rent it on AMazon for $2.99. Otherwise, the cheapest is about $9.00 used.
I’m always nice to our car too. I always sweet talk it …even if it breaks down, I’m like, “don’t worry buddy we’re gonna fix you right up. Doesn’t that feel nice?”
I’m a freaking weirdo though 🙂 LOL
Thanks for the suggestions! James Dean made East of Eden far more memorable than when I read the book in high school. I didn’t buy the DVD since I can rent as many as I want without paying for them individually with my monthly subscription through Blockbuster @Home. It really comes in handy because it takes the hassle out of getting my hands on movies like this. 😉
Agreed. The book is wonderful but Dean’s acting is amazing! I think the online streaming from home websites are awesome. My husband and I own a Roku so we can stream from netflix, Amazon, Hulu, etc. They’re pretty cheap and absolutely fantastic!
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