September 30 1955

From James Bridges, the acclaimed director of The Paper Chase, The China Syndrome, Urban Cowboy, Mike’s Murder, Perfect and Bright Lights, Big City, comes this classic 70s drama about the tragic death of James Dean on September 30, 1955 and the effects it has on a circle of friends in a small Arkansas town. Their leader Jimmy J. (Richard Thomas, TV’s The Waltons) is a college undergrad who, like his cinematic hero, feels alienated and misunderstood. At the news of Dean's death, Jimmy J. gathers his friends, including fellow spirit Billie Jean (Lisa Blount, An Officer and a Gentleman), girlfriend Charlotte (Deborah Benson, Just Before Dawn), roommate Hanley (Tom Hulce, Amadeus), sidekick Eugene (Dennis Christopher, Breaking Away) and jock Frank (Dennis Quaid, Dreamscape), for an emotional vigil. What begins, however, as a soul-searching assemblage gives way to youthful revelry, drinking binges, police chases, midnight séances, graveyard mischief and ultimately, tragedy. Beautifully shot by the great Gordon Willis (The Godfather, Manhattan) and co-starring Susan Tyrrell (Fat City).