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Does Dean Do an Exaggerated Backus Voice?


Does James Dean do an exaggerated Jim Backus voice--almost an island Millionaire (after Dean's time) or Magoo-sounding voice in any scene? I thought he had in my prior viewing of the film, but I didn't catch it this time, though I may have missed it.

I thought he may have been mocking his dad.


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He was indeed mocking his dad - when the three leads are playing house in the old mansion, Wood plays the mother, going on about what a nuisance children are and what to do with them - Dean snorts "Hanh! Drown them like puppies!" in a great Backus voice. One of my favorite moments in a superb movie.

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Yeah, that was classic Backus. But awfully weird that he talks about drowning puppies after Plato has shot a few.




I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

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That is very somber, jgroub. Was he trying to lighten up a dark subject by talking about it?

But thanks for additional confirmation. Someone else I know doubted that he mimic'd Backus but I was sure it was there.

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Ah, but did he know that that was what Plato had done? He wasn't there when they were talking to Plato about it, and they never showed Plato fessing up. Not something you'd really volunteer, either.




I want the doctor to take your picture so I can look at you from inside as well.

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Thanks, vmacek!

My attention must have been diverted. Thought he did a spot-on imitation, but I couldn't remember what part of the film.

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He did Mr. Magoo PERFECTLY when he said 'drown 'em like puppies, ha!'

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It was a reference to Mr. Magoo.

"Forget reality, give me a picture"-Remington Steele

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