September 30, 1955 (1977)

September 30, 1955: Directed by James Bridges. With Richard Thomas, Susan Tyrrell, Deborah Benson, Lisa Blount. When Jimmy’s idol, James Dean, dies on September 30, 1955, the small-town Arkansas college undergraduate goes berserk. He and his friends hold a vigil which turns into a drunk and, finally, a tragedy.

“Richard Thomas of u0026#39;Waltonsu0026#39; fame stars here as Jimmy J., an Arkansas undergrad in the 1950s who idolizes rising film star James Dean. He feels a kinship with the young actor, thinking that their lives have mirrored each othersu0026#39;. When he learns of Deansu0026#39; death, he goes a little crazy, dragging his friends into assorted escapades that ultimately have a sad result.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eWritten and directed by James Bridges (u0026quot;The China Syndromeu0026quot;), this little period piece seems to be somewhat forgotten nowadays. Itu0026#39;s not always terribly compelling or interesting, but itu0026#39;s still worthy of some respect, considering the way that it examines the fascination that some people feel for movie stars. Dean in particular had an iconic presence that resonated with a generation; itu0026#39;s not hard to believe that his passing was deeply felt by people like Jimmy J.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA mixture of comedy and drama, u0026quot;September 30, 1955u0026quot; is sometimes amusing and sometimes poignant, leaving us with one memorable showcase speech for Thomas, and the idea that life is not really u0026quot;like a movieu0026quot; as some folks might think.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eThe period recreation is pretty good, and the film benefits from a touching score by Leonard Rosenman, who had scored the Dean vehicles u0026quot;East of Edenu0026quot; and u0026quot;Rebel Without a Causeu0026quot; once upon a time. But the main reason to watch is the talented, engaging young cast, some of them making their feature-film debuts. Thomas is wonderful, and his supporting actors make for an endearing ensemble: Deborah Benson (leading lady in the superior slasher u0026quot;Just Before Dawnu0026quot;) as Jimmy J.u0026#39;s girlfriend, Lisa Blount (u0026quot;Prince of Darknessu0026quot;) as the fellow free spirit and Dean devotee, Thomas Hulce (u0026quot;Amadeusu0026quot;) as the roommate, Dennis Christopher (u0026quot;Breaking Awayu0026quot;) as the sidekick, and Dennis Quaid as the jock. Collin Wilcox Paxton (u0026quot;To Kill a Mockingbirdu0026quot;) plays Jimmy J.u0026#39;s mother, and Susan Tyrrell (u0026quot;Forbidden Zoneu0026quot;) plays Billie Jeanu0026#39;s mom.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eA semi-autobiographical tale for Bridges, who grew up in Paris, Arkansas himself.u003cbr/u003eu003cbr/u003eSeven out of 10.”