If James Dean was alive to make this... - The Left Handed Gun (1958) Discussion

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] dysfunky 17 years ago

No not neccesarily, it's just the fact that had Dean been alive atleast to the point of making this film, in much the same way Elvis and his films[though I just want to say that Elvis is a musical entertainer 1st and an actor somewhere below in prioritized value, Dean was a devout actor], he would have made the roll both more iconic and memorable. It's not a shot at Newman as an actor or anything else of the sort, in my opinion he's a damn good actor and has made some of the greatest films of the 20th century, but Dean, being the personafication of youth angst that he was, in my opinion would have taken the roll to a more deeper level. Or, as fate might have had it if by some means he was still alive to do so [and by this statement I mean no disrespect to James Dean whatsoever], it would have been his on screen downfall.

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper." - Jean Cocteau

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[–] UGLYINTHAMORNING 16 years ago

I think this film would of still been a Five star with James Dean in it.
He had a way to make the worst movie plot come to life. with just his ability to act.

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[–] CoolHand996 16 years ago

James Dean was not a better actor then Paul Newman.....dont even try and say he is. Come on guys.

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[–] UGLYINTHAMORNING 16 years ago

Paul Newman has been in over 100 films, cut Dean some slack he was only in three film which were all 5 stars.

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[–] 16 years ago

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[–] midwestmike9 16 years ago

Agree with McClane...Dean was a great actor of iconic youth who may or may not of become a truly great actor, but Newman WAS a great actor. Period. I think too many of you have elevated Dean to a status that is not deserved just because he died young.

"I'm just a big, hairy American winning machine."

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[–] sanziano 14 years ago

Marlon Brando is a 9,5 (the best ever)
James Dean is a 8,5 (massive actor)
Paul Newman is a 7+ (good actor)

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[–] dysfunky 14 years ago

I agree with that! Well, not necessarily on Newman's part, because he had the years to spread his abilities around. Brando...well, let's face it, Brando is to them like The Beatles is to almost every rock band in existence.

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper." - Jean Cocteau

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[–] SeanJoyce 15 years ago

Dean was born for this role. Newman came off as awkward and forceful.

This was one of several Dean roles that Newman inherited after the former's death, but it was the ripest one for Dean. I've not yet seen Somebody Up There Likes Me to comment, Newman was probably better as Brick in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof than Dean would have been, but this one has JD all over it.

"...if that was off, I'd be whoopin' your ass up and down this street." ~ an irate Tarantino

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[–] 15 years ago

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[–] ryancm 14 years ago

James Dean played...JAMES DEAN... The three films he made he played the SAME character. No range at all. If he lived and made more films perhaps he could have shown some versitility...Yes, he would have done well in GUN, but it wouldn't have varied from his other three perfomances. Broody, moody, morose and sullen. That was all Dean did. See him once and you've seen all his perfomances. I'm almost sure he couldn't have done much with the talent he had..but again, he wasn't given the chance.

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[–] dysfunky 14 years ago

In a general sense, you're right. But the character of James Dean, what he conveyed and the depths he reached with that one character, carried more versatility throughout than most character actors have with their subjects. He has become the epitome of the angst of misunderstood youth.

Tom Cruise is another actor that can be generalized in the same manner as you have James Dean. But do you honestly think that years down the line people will be studying and writing out analyses of person of Tom Cruise?

James Dean's method of acting was based on digging into the core of one's self to find the subject. Many character actors are emulators and imitators to the point of obsession. Dean came from a different strain of actors whose work was purely a product of their soul.

The difference between being yourself and finding within yourself, and evidently in everyone else, the piece of humanity that makes the part you play.

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper." - Jean Cocteau

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[–] movies789 8 years ago

Well said, ryancm. It's heresy to say so, but Dean wasn't all that. He was a one-note actor, with limited range.

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[–] Ericthedoc 15 years ago

When I watched this film, I was unaware that Newman had replaced Dean in the casting of the film, but I couldn't get over the fact that he seemed like he was acting in a very similar style to Dean's. I haven't seen any of Newman's films before The Hustler (1961), so I am just guessing as to whether this was the style in which he acted and that he evolved into the smoother style he became known for, or whether he was directed to act as if he were James Dean. I really thought he seemed to be imitating Dean's character from Rebel Without a Cause.

Just my opinion

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[–] dysfunky 15 years ago

I honestly think that Newman's approach was too "mature" for the roll. Hell, he looked too old. Not a crack at Newman whatsoever, may he rest in peace. He was just all too perfect in Cool Hand Luke, and freakin AWESOME in Butch Cassidy & The Sundance Kid. But, honestly, how many people remember him for this roll?

When people say James Dean was MADE for this roll, I think it's safe to say he was just as much as Bela Lugosi was perfect for Dracula. Had it not been the man with the Hungarian accent and the widow's peak, how many movies, cartoons, cereal boxes and the like would not exist?

"Film will only become an art when its materials are as inexpensive as pencil and paper." - Jean Cocteau

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[–] jamesalbertson 10 years ago

I agree if James Dean was alive he would have done a great job as Billy The Kid. But he wasn't. Paul Newman did do a great job. I was 16 when it first played in the theater. It will always be my favorite movie along with Thunder Road of my yputh.

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