James Dean quiz

More questions about James Dean

These visible examples show the question style. LearnClash turns the full topic into ranked duels and spaced repetition.

1. 1 Easy

   How did James Dean's Rebel character show family pain?

   Answer: By yelling at his dad

   Why: In the police station Jim screams "You're tearing me apart!"; later he begs his father, played by Jim Backus, to stand up for him.

2. 2 Medium

   Why did James Dean drive his Porsche to Salinas instead of towing it?

   Answer: To break in the engine

   Why: His mechanic advised him to drive the car to get familiar with its handling before the race competition.

3. 3 Hard

   What was James Dean's character name in the film East of Eden?

   Answer: Cal Trask

   Why: Cal Trask was the only leading role Dean lived to see released; the part brought him the first posthumous Best Actor Oscar nomination ever.

4. 4 Easy

   Besides Marlon Brando, who was James Dean's other acting idol?

   Answer: Montgomery Clift

   Why: Dean was so star struck he phoned Clift just to hear his voice. Kazan judged Clift too old to play Dean's brother in East of Eden.

5. 5 Medium

   Which actor did Elia Kazan first want for the role of Cal in East of Eden?

   Answer: Marlon Brando

   Why: Kazan first imagined Brando as Cal and Montgomery Clift as brother Aron, but at 30 and 34 they were too old to play Steinbeck's teenage sons.

6. 6 Hard

   What was the first TV commercial James Dean ever appeared in?

   Answer: Pepsi-Cola

   Why: The 1950 Pepsi spot was Dean's first paid acting job; its producer then cast him in a 1951 Easter special that sparked his first fan club.