Studio nixed James Dean & Sal Mineo gay kiss plan in Rebel Without a Cause
The latest issue of Entertainment Weekly look back at Rebel Without a Cause and reveals that there was a plan for the film to include a kiss between James Dean and Sal Mineo. Warner Brothers, however, wasn't up for it. “While vetting the Rebel script, Warner honcho Steve Trilling made it clear - in writing - that a kiss between Dean and Mineo would not be tolerated." It didn't stop Director Nicholas Ray from painting the portrait though. He asked asked a teenage Mineo what he wanted most in life. “‘My driver’s license," Mineo said. "Fine," Ray said. "Look at Jimmy as if he’s your driver’s license." Beyond the obvious adoration, the film is chock full of clues regarding Plato’s sexual preference too, like the 8x10 glossy of Alan Ladd hanging in his high school locker.
Comments
That would be the hottest DVD extra ever. Damn.
Posted by KC? on February 9, 2006 4:43 PM
I am 60 years old, and went to see Rebel Without A Cause with my parents at the Don Theatre in Alexandria, Louisiana. I already knew I was "different." However, I had no idea that my parents suspected anyting since I was still a child...yet they were careful to explain to me the relationship between Sal Mineo and Jimmy Dean. Oddly enough, I can remember how my mother and dad spoke quietly in the theatre, and then aloud in the car on the way home about how pretty Sal Mineo was...and what good friends Dean and Sal might be if they were friends off screen. But most of all, I remember the enchantment of being identified with Sal Mineo and leaving the theatre in some sort of double reverie, (first enchanted by Sal Mineo--wanting to kiss him) and secondly, entranced as if I'd fallen in love with Jimmy Dean by proxy. I remember the awakening of these feelings of gay love deep within me. Your article fascinates me, for there probably would have been only one thing I'd rather have had than either Sal Mineo or James Dean...and that would have been my drivers license! That, too, had to wait until I hit puberty and then some! Thanks for a wonderful article! Absolutely wonderful! Red.
Posted by Red Pine? on February 13, 2006 11:55 PM
That would be so Freakying HOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!:)
Posted by Lesly? on March 24, 2006 1:51 PM
Just think.. If they would have had that kiss, history would have been changed as we know it. Gay tolerance would have probably been much more accepted. In those days being gay wasn't even really thought about, let alone portrayed in music/tv/movies. If they would have that kissed, peoples minds would have opened up sooner and by today it might have been thought of as normal. it would be a legendary movie for a whole different reason lol. man if i only had a time machine
Posted by brad? on June 4, 2006 11:48 AM
Two nice men, with LOVE!
Posted by Alexandre Curado? on June 15, 2006 7:12 AM
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