BetterMost, Wyoming & Brokeback Mountain Forum

The World Beyond BetterMost => The Culture Tent => Topic started by: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 10:53:41 am

Title: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 10:53:41 am


In 1955, James Dean had his first major screen role as Cal Trask in East of Eden.  Here, he and Paul Newman shoot a screen test in New York for the lead roles of the Trask brothers. (The character of Aron Trask went to actor Richard Davalos.)



omg.


[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U1sLlcarbu4[/youtube]


(wait for the sound at 00:07;
Dean says "Kiss me." at 00:14.)
[youtube=425,350]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ejILKc1QrcM&NR=1[/youtube]




(in a few years, with the way technology is going, can you imagine an alternate Brokeback Mountain with...Paul Newman and James Dean?   :o
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Monika on January 08, 2011, 11:16:17 am
wow - that´s a good looking pair. And they got chemistry too! Very cool, thanks John.
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 11:31:02 am


Quote from: Buffymon on January 08, 2011, 11:16:17 am
wow - that´s a good looking pair. And they got chemistry too! Very cool, thanks John.


You're welcome, Monika!

Can't you see Paul as Ennis and James as Jack?

I'm convinced it's going to happen.


(BTW--in the screen test, Paul was 30 years old, James was 24.)
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Monika on January 08, 2011, 11:40:28 am
Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 11:31:02 am
Can't you see Paul as Ennis and James as Jack?

I can, especially James as Jack. James had such an expressive face and eyes.
It would have been interesting to have seen James tackle the role of Ennis as well - to try to rein all his emotions in and bottle it all up. Could have been quite something too.
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Jeff Wrangler on January 08, 2011, 11:49:34 am
Quote from: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 10:53:41 am
(In a few years, with the way technology is going, can you imagine an alternate Brokeback Mountain with...Paul Newman and James Dean?   :o

I'll take a pass on that, thank you, but I'd sure like to see Jake and Heath as Butch and Sundance.  :-\
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 11:59:38 am


Another image:
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/42/Richard_Davalos_and_James_Dean_in_East_of_Eden_trailer.jpg)
Richard Davalos as Aron Trask and James Dean as Cal Trask in a pivotal scene.

Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Lynne on January 08, 2011, 02:08:28 pm
Wow indeed, John.  Thanks for sharing.

I heard the "Kiss me."  And I think "Can't here"

But there was something about Dean's voice that made me hear Heath as well, so I guess I have Dean cast as Ennis in Brokeback Mountain.  I think it was the mumble about 'wanting <him> to look directly into the camera or sumpin'

Cool find.
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Aloysius J. Gleek on January 08, 2011, 02:46:35 pm



Quote from: Lynne di Licious on January 08, 2011, 02:08:28 pm
Wow indeed, John.  Thanks for sharing.

I heard the "KIss me."  And I think "Can't here"

But there was something about Dean's voice that made me hear Heath as well, so I guess I have Dean cast as Ennis in Brokeback Mountain.  I think it was the mumble about 'wanting <him> to look directly into the camera or sumpin'

Cool find.



You're welcome, Lynne!

Somehow, for me, with the unconscious-yet-naked vibe in the screen test (wow, what a treasure!) I sort of see James having Jack's neediness--and Paul having Ennis's barriers. Interesting to see the two actors as self-conscious, rather nervous men rather than polished, scripted characters--

There's a moment when I thought it looked a bit like Jack and Ennis in the trailer--interesting--

I wonder what other bits of film we might yet find--

 8)
 
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: MaineWriter on January 08, 2011, 03:54:41 pm
Um, Richard Davalos...quick, name something else he has been in!

Versus Paul Newman. Do I sense a casting mistake in this movie? Sigh...

L
Title: Re: "Kiss me." The 1955 East of Eden Screen Test with Paul Newman and James Dean
Post by: Front-Ranger on January 28, 2011, 11:53:24 pm
Yep, there's definitely a crackle of electricity there!