James Dean, 1955

James Dean, 1955

James Dean, 1955

James Dean, March 1955. At 7:30am., I was cruising west on Sunset Boulevard, heading for Life magazine’s photo lab on the Strip. Coming down Laurel Canyon was a crazy motorcyclist who was driving through a red light. We were on a collision course. We both braked and careered through the intersection. I cam close to killing him – just a few inches saved his life. I stuck my head out the window, screaming profanities, as he got up off his bike with a dopey grin on his face. It was James Dean. We ended up having a two-hour breakfast at Schwab’s Drug Store, and I invited him over to the Guys and Dolls set, where I had a still gallery rigged to shot Brando and Sinatra. Dean was fascinated by cameras, and came along.

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James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955

James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955

James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955

James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955

James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955

James Dean with friends at Googie’s Diner, Hollywood, May 1955