Warner Bros release "Rebel Without a Cause". James Dean stars in Nicholas Ray's film about the moral decay of American youth.
Three actors, and friends, in the cast of this classic American film have a history with motorcycles...
James Dean (Jim Stark) - known for his 1955 500cc Triumph TR5 Trophy, he also had a CZ 125cc on which he learned to ride and earned the nickname 'One-spreed Dean', a 500cc Royal Enfield and another 500cc, an Indian Warrior TT.
Dennis Hopper (Goon) - rode his way thru bike films on chopped Harley-Davidsons, a knucklehead in "Glory Stompers" and the iconic 'Billy Bike' panhead in "Easy Rider".
Nick Adams (Chick) - Dennis Hopper's roommate. Adams would become good friends with Elvis after the death of James Dean, often staying at Graceland and taking late night motorcycle rides around Memphis with the King, both on Elvis' 1956 KH Model Harley-Davidson. The late night motorcycle friendship lasted until 1959 when Nick was forced to spend most of his time in Hollywood making the television series "The Rebel", (he starred as the main character Johnny Yuma). Nick purchased a 1958 600cc Matchless G-11, but due to the high-profile television demands he found himself with less and less time for two-wheels, though his friendship with Elvis lasted until Adams untimely death in 1968.
Directed by Nicholas Ray, "Rebel Without a Cause" offered both social commentary and an alternative to previous films depicting delinquents in urban slum environments. The film has achieved landmark status for the acting of cultural icon James Dean, fresh from his Oscar nominated role in "East of Eden" and who died before the film's release, in his most celebrated role. This was the only film during Dean's lifetime in which he received top billing. In 1990, "Rebel Without a Cause" was added to Library of Congress's National Film Registry as being deemed "culturally, historically, and aesthetically significant".
Today is the 60th anniversary of the release.
Today in motorcycle history proudly supports the National Association for Bikers with a Disability (NABD). www.nabd.org.uk
