| Author | Message | ||
     Jerry_haughton |
 Ride in Peace, James Byron Dean | ||
| Jb2 |
Fifty years ago and he still has a cult following that rivals Elvis Presley and John Lennon. Note the irregular edges of his headstone, that is not the way the stone was placed. Many people have chipped pieces from it for souvenirs. I can't remember which headstone number this is... at least the fourth or fifth. There used to be a full size bust that was stolen and replaced several times. Finally the townfolk gave up and put this very plain stone in it's place but it too has been replaced after it became illegible. Your pic Jerry is from last year and the stone is considerably changed today. There's just something about that tragedy that tugs at the hearts of Hotrodders. We had a total washout of rain last weekend for the James Dean Annual Rod Run but still they came by thousands and many left with a piece of James's headstone as a souvenir. Ride Hard, Ride Free James Dean | ||
| Bruce_bueller |
The king of cool. There will be many toasts tonight.  | ||
| Cruisin |
You guys are really starting to show your age...  | ||
| Nevar |
Died like an idiot, driving twice the speed limit. What a hero. If acting cool (and doing nothing else) qualifies you for hero worship, sobeit. I tend to think that hero worhsip should be reserved for 'heros'. A 'celebrity' is not necessarily a 'hero'. If someone can point to something Dean did to benefit humanity other than being cool, I'll apologize and retract this rant. | ||
| Hattori_hanzo |
All this for a guy who makes sausages? I don't get it.  | ||
| Jerry_haughton |
Nevar, back up your statement that he was "driving twice the speed limit." and tell me where anyone said he was a hero? i started the thread and posted the pic for several reasons, one being that i visited his hometown, boyhood home, and gravesite on a 10,000-mile ride i took last September with my friend JB2, and these events had a positive impact on me. another reason is that the crash site where he died is near my home here in California. i visited there recently, on my way to Laguna with Denise and Unibear. this visit also had a positive impact on me. do you have nothing positive to contribute? you don't care for James Dean's legacy, i'm ok with that. but raining a buttload of your attitude on this thread isn't warranted nor is it appreciated. you tell me where i'm wrong and i'll retract this rant. Ferris | ||
| Nevar |
Go ahead and worship who you please. I'm happy that Dean's crash site and grave have made your life better. | ||
| Jb2 |
Nevar, I only worship God. Second, James Dean is no hero of mine. My post was all fact and observations from living a few minutes away from his hometown. As a comparison how many films have you starred in? How many times have you yourself twiced the speed limit and had a close one? That's right. I could tell from the self-righteous nature of your post you've never doubled the speed limit. Sorry, I digress. | ||
| Panic |
IMHO vastly over-rated as an actor, very annoying as a person. | ||
| Nevar |
JB2, I don't expect anyone is idolizing me either. I know what and who I am. Do you know what Dean was all about? If you did know him, please tell us if it was anything other than 'being cool'. | ||
| Typeone |
FYI, one of the Discovery type channels was running a Dean special re-evaluating the crash. I didn't catch the whole program but they ruled out the 'double the limit' accusations as well as Dean 'attempting a racer move' to accelerate past the turning car. this was all based on new tools we have to examine photographs from that day. is it rock solid? who knows. I don't see what the big deal is, we all know the facts... speed is exhilarating, speed can kill you or the innocent, speed doesn't mean 120+ either... freak things happen in life. Play the cards ya gots. I know I'd be guilty of a lead foot in that P-car he was rockin. (although not in town through red lights like he was know to do) | ||
| Jb2 |
Nevar, I did not know James Dean. He died three years before my birth. My pop played against him on the 1949 varsity basketball team and ran against him in track and field. Other than the three movies James Dean starred in and his passion for high performance sports cars and motorcycles there isn't a lot to tell. His age of death sealed that but I would say that he was a highly motivated achiever who was more critical of himself than most of his critics. In car circles he is one of the poster boys for leadsleds, '49 & '50 Mercs and the very word cool(or kool depending on your preference). Considering the positive nature in which Ferris started this thread I'm still trying to figure out why everytime a fun thread gets started here someone has to take a big old •••• on it. 'Tis one of the very reasons I mostly lurk here - too many people with agendas. What have you got against cool anyway? | ||
| Nevar |
JB2, Cool is OK. I just don't idolize it. It would be great if more 'cool people' did something with their lives besides that. If you thought I was taking a dump on this thread - you're right. This is the internet. If you don't want to be criticized or get your wee little feelings hurt, then don't post. Just lurk - like you do. Got it? | ||
| Nevar |
I've posted my thoughts. I'm done. If you want to waste some more time and flame me, be my guest - won't change how I feel about Dean and his 'poor short life'. | ||
| CJXB |
If someone can point to something Dean did to benefit humanity Are you ranting because you've done more than he to benefit humanity ?? I'm guessing not because people who are decent and do what they can to benefit humanity aren't asses, and you are an a$$ !! I'd much rather read the posts from Ferris and JB2 that actually have something good, positive and/or informative to say than your snide comments !! | ||
| Blake |
"If you thought I was taking a dump on this thread - you're right." That behavior is absolutely unacceptable on this site and is blatantly contrary to the policy you agreed to abide by when registering on this discussion board. Period. Either cease it or lose posting privileges. Your choice entirely. | ||
| Blake |
And for the record I can easily point to something Mr. Dean did to benefit humanity. He entertained and inspired millions of us. In so doing he helped to lift us up in a very positive way. His untimely death also greatly furthered the causes of automobile and highway safety. Some folks tend to view life in negatives and seek to impose their dismal outlook upon others. I try to stay as far away from such miserable people as is possible. Thus the policy of this discussion board.  So please Tim, we appreciate anything constructive you might see fit to contribute here, but otherwise, please simply practice quiet. | ||
| Jb2 |
..and something else that most right leaning capitalists(me included) would call an achievement... Every year thousands of James Dean fans flock to Fairmount and participate in the James Dean Rod Run. An annual event that literally has brought millions of dollars into that tiny little farming community. It has grown to the point that there are overflow car shows in Gas City and Marion who are also raking in money from Dean fans. These events net those communities more money in one weekend than Dean earned in his entire life. Talk about a legacy. CJ and Blake, thanks for putting the thread back on track. (Message edited by jb2 on September 30, 2005) | ||
| Newfie_buell |
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| Sarodude |
Some months back, Loli, our friend Richard, and I were riding to Ojai for lunch. Richard wanted to stop by someplace he kept referring to as Meditation Mount. We asked around town for directions and found our way up a tight little road. Rich was on his SuperHawk, Loli on her Blast, me on the Dyna. All three bikes uncorked and loud. We shut down. I was first to get my helmet off when I realized that there was NO SOUND WHATSOEVER besides that of nature. Loli still had her helmet and earplugs in and began to talk - which at that point was much more like a yell. I was gesturing madly that she should stop - and she realized why after she took off her helmet and plugs. We walked around this odd jewel of a place. We made friends with a couple of cats that live there. We checked out the various rooms - each with some distinct purpose. We marveled at how such a place exists at all - let alone one which is completely open to the public and 100% run by private donations. When we left, I insisted upon (and got no arguments) pushing and coasting our bikes down that hill so as to leave as much peace and quiet behind as we could. I even sent off an email (turns out they have a site! http://www.meditation.com/) a couple of days later apologizing to those who run the place about the racket we made upon our arrival. I received a response that, instead of fuming at our racket, was SO appreciative of our consideration in hindsight that I was astounded - as were Loli and Richard. -Saro | ||
| Rocketman |
James Dean coudn't act? Yeah right, and my arse is a citrus fruit.  For JD. Rocket | ||
| Phillyblast |
Panic, Being a real man isn't about who you sleep with. But I guess if you were a real man you'd know that. James Dean was an incredible talent who had barely scraped the surface of his potential. I suspect much of the mystique surrounding him has to do with folks extrapolating what he could have achieved in his chosen craft based on his brief body of work. I'm still not sure what his homosexuality has to do with his hobbies, though. So you're saying gay men can't ride motorcycles, but straight men can cook and garden? | ||
| Typeone |
wow, this thread continues to amaze me. keep it up boys, i'm entertained! panic + nevar, you gots issues. creepy? hahaa, now that is just comedy. i'll never understand why people take OTHER peoples lives and personal business so PERSONAL. live and let live, man. oh, but apparently you have a superHigh IQ which immediately overrides enjoyment of show biz types who are only out to make a buck at what they like to do... much like yourselves, i'm sure. who woulda thought this thread would end up like this! hey, Jerry, thanks for the original thoughts, i'm young, but I was with ya in the split second we had. | ||
| Henrik |
Mr. Diamond; your current behavior brings the word "Ignoranus" to mind. Henrik | ||
| Careyj |
Posted by Blake: "That behavior is absolutely unacceptable on this site and is blatantly contrary to the policy you agreed to abide by when registering on this discussion board. Period. Either cease it or lose posting privileges. Your choice entirely. And for the record I can easily point to something Mr. Dean did to benefit humanity. He entertained and inspired millions of us. In so doing he helped to lift us up in a very positive way. His untimely death also greatly furthered the causes of automobile and highway safety. Some folks tend to view life in negatives and seek to impose their dismal outlook upon others. I try to stay as far away from such miserable people as is possible. Thus the policy of this discussion board. So please Tim, we appreciate anything constructive you might see fit to contribute here, but otherwise, please simply practice quiet." Thank you Blake. | ||
| Tom_b |
Jerry, nice try. too bad the post got ruined.  | ||
| Aesquire |
I remember reading Dean saying that his near sightedness gave him a look on screen ( without his glasses on ) that some thought "dreamy" & was liked by women. In a day of contact lenses, would he have had the same mystique? No way to know. Would Dean be as big today if he had made more movies? had flops? No one knows. Actors & Actresses are the repository of our hopes, and the inspiration of our dreams. We expect too much of the people who entertain us. They are the same guys we went to school with, got the bug to be in class plays, & maybe, someday Star Wars 7. Actors, as an overgeneralization, are more reflective of the script than whole people in their own right. They are folk that spout memorized lines with conviction. That's not a hard & fast rule, but does make you chuckle when one spouts silly stuff they know little about, ( political, religious, scientific ) because it is popular. Great actors are great because you believe in the fantasy that they are the tough guy, or the sultry babe. They aren't, & some forget that in the adulation that we give them. Their private lives are grist for the mill of gossip, yet lies & rumors should not lessen your appreciation of their art. Who John Wayne slept with is none of my business. James Dean did some good work. That's all we have left of him & many others, like Olivier & Ed Wood. (Message edited by aesquire on October 01, 2005) | ||
| Typeone |
well, i deleted my comments since the post I responded to was deleted. Analyzing latent homosexuality is just that tiniest bit more complex than using it as a rude, entirely unsubstantiated remark to insult people you don't like. oh, so now you're the 'good guy'? my point was that people shouldn't be analyzed to that degree. no ones personal preferences should be up for debate. I've been horrified to hear what close friends who are gay have gone through in life, hence my chiming in to the various remarks. This originally was a simple film star remembrance thread that was turned in a specific direction. Your turn: "you must be gay, because you're annoyed". I have no idea what you're even getting at here (?) I said nothing of the sort. If anything, you yourself made this type of accusation against another board member. And you were what age when Ms. Dean sulked and pouted off the stage for the last time? Is "minus 18" an age? Why is this even relevant? Dean was captured on film, generations beyond myself will know the man by what he left. Like I said before, I really don't understand what the big deal is. To your point, today's actors demand specific placement and brand of bubble gum for crying out loud. I could care less that he stormed off stage once. BTW, thanks for the 'adult BBS lesson'  and all the BIG NEW WORDS I've learned. | ||
| M2me |
Posted by Blake: "That behavior is absolutely unacceptable on this site and is blatantly contrary to the policy you agreed to abide by when registering on this discussion board. Period. Either cease it or lose posting privileges. Your choice entirely. And for the record I can easily point to something Mr. Dean did to benefit humanity. He entertained and inspired millions of us. In so doing he helped to lift us up in a very positive way. His untimely death also greatly furthered the causes of automobile and highway safety. Some folks tend to view life in negatives and seek to impose their dismal outlook upon others. I try to stay as far away from such miserable people as is possible. Thus the policy of this discussion board. So please Tim, we appreciate anything constructive you might see fit to contribute here, but otherwise, please simply practice quiet." No thank you, Blake. James Dean is probably rolling in his grave after reading your post. That James Dean never did anything for humanity needed to be said because maybe it's true. Maybe it's not. But you can't call anything you don't agree with negative. You shouldn't call people miserable because they have a different view point than your own. You'll never learn the truth that way. I think it's a bad idea to become so sure of yourself that you stop listening. |
