Rebel Without a Cause/Trivia

• Actor Allusion: In one scene, Jim Stark mutters at his father (played by Jim Backus) in a Mr. Magoo-like voice. (Backus being, of course, the voice of Magoo.)
  • James Dean played Cal Trask in East of Eden.
• The Danza: James Dean plays James "Jim" Stark.
• Dawson Casting: Mineo and Wood are the right age; Dean is 24 and looks it, enough that his romances with the other two feel a bit squicky.
• Hey, It's That Guy!: Keep an eye out for an eighteen year old Dennis Hopper.
  • And Ray Fremick is The Chief.
    • Don't forget Frank Stark is Thurston Howell III.
• Playing Against Type: Jim Backus.
• What Could Have Been: Rebel was supposed to be black & white. The decision to shoot the film in color meant less pay for extras which is why there were few extras in the knife fight scene.
  • Marlon Brando did a screen test for the part of Jim in the 1940s. The script was later rewritten and Brando was not offered the part, with James Dean cast instead.
• Word of Gay: Plato is supposed to be gay, but the censors at the time wouldn't let them say it, so it's only implied.