The Next Reel Film Podcast

Does the icon James Dean deliver the goods that warrant his status? How believable are he and Natalie Wood together? How does Sal Mineo fit in with the pair? And what’s with Mr. Magoo’s crazy apron? Tune in to this week’s show to hear us chat about all this and more!

Show Notes

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"You’re tearing me apart!"

Possibly James Dean’s most iconic role, Rebel Without a Cause hit theaters in the fall of 1955 – less than a month after Dean’s tragic car crash that took his life – and immediately found its audience. The movie was a success, thanks in a large part to all of the teens that connected with the characters and the story, seeing more of themselves on-screen than they had before. Dean’s death made the film something to talk about, but the fact that the film had something to say too has made it a classic. Join us – Pete Wright and Andy Nelson – as we continue our James Dean series with Nicholas Ray’s 1955 film Rebel Without a Cause.

We talk about how the film struck us and why, looking at how Ray sets his characters up in the opening sequence and allows them to develop their problems over the course of the film. We chat about the tragic trio of young actors helming this film – Dean, Natalie Wood and Sal Mineo – reflecting not just on the tragedy their characters work through in this film but also the horrible deaths they all suffered at young ages. We look at Ray as a director and how his passion for CinemaScope led to some brilliant images here, not to mention a huge following with European cinéastes who tagged him as one of the great auteurs. We continue our discussion about the CinemaScope images as we look at what cinematographer Ernest Haller brings to the table. And we look at how iconic this film has become and how it’s influenced the arts since its creation.

It’s a fascinating film that we thoroughly enjoy and have a great time talking about. Yes, some of the story and performances may be a bit laughable by today’s standards, but when taken in context of the time and what Ray was trying to say, it’s all in context and works to make Ray’s point. So give it a try, then tune in! The Next Reel – when the movie ends, our conversation begins.

Film Sundries

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Creators and Guests

Host
Andy Nelson
With over 25 years of experience in film, television, and commercial production, Andy has cultivated an enduring passion for storytelling in all its forms. His enthusiasm for the craft began in his youth when he and his friends started making their own movies in grade school. After studying film at the University of Colorado Boulder, Andy wrote, directed, and produced several short films while also producing indie features like Netherbeast Incorporated and Ambush at Dark Canyon. Andy has been on the production team for award-winning documentaries such as The Imposter and The Joe Show, as well as TV shows like Investigation Discovery’s Deadly Dentists and Nat Geo’s Inside the Hunt for the Boston Bombers. Over a decade ago, he started podcasting with Pete and immediately embraced the medium. Now, as a partner at TruStory FM, Andy looks forward to more storytelling through their wide variety of shows. Throughout his career, Andy has passed on his knowledge by teaching young minds the crafts of screenwriting, producing, editing, and podcasting. Outside of work, Andy is a family man who enjoys a good martini, a cold beer, a nice cup o’ joe. And always, of course, a great movie.
Host
Pete Wright
#Movies, #ADHD, & #Podcasting • Co-founder @trustory.fm🎥 The Next Reel Family of #Film Podcasts @thenextreel.com🎙️ Taking Control: The ADHD Podcast @takecontroladhd.com📖 Co-author of Unapologetically ADHD • https://unapologeticallyadhdbook.com

What is The Next Reel Film Podcast?

A show about movies and how they connect.
We love movies. We’ve been talking about them, one movie a week, since 2011. It’s a lot of movies, that’s true, but we’re passionate about origins and performance, directors and actors, themes and genres, and so much more. So join the community, and let’s hear about your favorite movies, too.
When the movie ends, our conversation begins.