Question 1

What real-life tragedy occurred just before the film's release, leading to myths about James Dean's involvement?

Accepted Answer

James Dean died on September 30, 1955, nearly a month before the film's release on October 27, 1955, sparking myths that he directed, wrote, or improvised much of it.

Question 2

Which location used in the film previously appeared in another classic movie, and what was built there for that earlier film?

Accepted Answer

The mansion exterior and empty pool used for confrontations previously appeared in Sunset Boulevard (1950), with the pool built specially for that film as a rental condition from Mrs. Jean Paul Getty.

Question 3

What injury did James Dean sustain during filming, and how did he react when the director stopped the scene?

Accepted Answer

James Dean was injured several times during the switchblade fight using a real weapon, and he got angry when director Nicholas Ray stopped the scene after Dean was cut on the ear, saying, "Don't you ever cut a scene while I'm having a real moment."

Question 4

What was the original opening scene in the screenplay, and why was it cut before release?

Accepted Answer

The original screenplay opened with a man mugged by Buzz's gang dropping a toy monkey, which a drunken Jim later finds and plays with; this sequence was cut before release, leading to myths about the toy monkey in the credits.

Question 5

Which festivals have featured this film, including multiple appearances at one major European festival?

Accepted Answer

The film has been featured at the Academy Awards (1956), Berlin International Film Festival (1993, 2000, 2014, 2023), International Film Festival Rotterdam (1991), and Transilvania International Film Festival (2025).

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