Live Fast, Die Young: The Wild Ride of Making Rebel Without a Cause

The revolutionary film Rebel Without a Cause has had a profound impact on both moviemaking and youth culture -- not only upon its 1955 release but on generations since. In Live Fast, Die Young, the complete story behind this groundbreaking film is revealed, vividly evoking the cataclysmic meeting of actors James Dean, Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo and director Nicholas Ray -- all at crucial points in their careers as they grappled with fame, burgeoning sexuality, and increasingly reckless behavior.

Through interviews with surviving members of the cast and crew and firsthand access to both personal and studio archives, Lawrence Frascella and Al Weisel depict the explosive making of Rebel Without a Cause, complete with never-before-seen photos by famed Dean photographer Dennis Stock. A fascinating look behind the scenes of an unforgettable American film, Live Fast, Die Young tells a story that is as provocative as the film itself.

Author: Lawrence Frascella, Al Weisel
Publisher: Touchstone Books
Published: 11/07/2006
Pages: 384
Binding Type: Paperback
Weight: 0.94lbs
Size: 9.08h x 5.96w x 0.98d
ISBN: 9780743296182

Review Citation(s):
New York Times 01/07/2007 pg. 28

About the Author
Lawrence Frascella has served as chief movie critic of Us Magazine and theater critic for Entertainment Weekly, as well as an editor at Aperture. His work has appeared in numerous publications, including Harper's Bazaar and Rolling Stone.

Al Weisel is a regular contributor to Premiere magazine, a former contributing editor at Us Magazine, and has written for Rolling Stone, The Washington Post, Spin, and New York Newsday. He lives in New York City.