September 30, 1955 (1977)

Synopsis: September 30, 1955--the day James Dean died. This heartfelt tale follows the effect James Dean's death has on a small circle of friends in an Arkansas town. Russell Thomas stars as Jimmy, a young college undergrad who, like his cinematic hero, feels alienated and misunderstood. Dean's... September 30, 1955--the day James Dean died. This heartfelt tale follows the effect James Dean's death has on a small circle of friends in an Arkansas town. Russell Thomas stars as Jimmy, a young college undergrad who, like his cinematic hero, feels alienated and misunderstood. Dean's untimely death only intensifies his already strong feelings of misery and self-loathing. Jimmy and his close friends gather for a memorial, and what begins as a soul-searching assemblage gives way to youthful revelry, drinking binges, police chases, midnight seances, graveyard mischief, and, ultimately, tragedy. As Jimmy wallows in drink and anger, his grief begins affecting the lives of his friends. Finally, in a desperate act of rage, Jimmy plays a prank that badly backfires. Shaken, Jimmy forces himself to confront his victim and accept responsibility--and to tackle the personal demons that surfaced after Dean's fatal car crash. James Bridges directed this powerful look at the effect celebrity lives can have on troubled individuals. [More]