Watched Rebel without a Cause on DVD. The DVD itself is pretty interesting, containing screen tests, etc., but I was disappointed in the film itself. The first part was good, up until Buzz Gunderson's death, then it started to drag unmercifully.
The film wasn't terrible; I just expected more considering its reputation. The symbolism was in some places so obvious as to be inept (Jim Backus wearing a Shirley-Booth-as-Hazel-style apron), and the plot contrived, dangly, and obvious. The last 45 minutes or so were interminable.
Contrived: Sal Mineo writes down Jim Stark's address so he won't forget it. Like he would? Because he writes it down, the toughs can find Stark's house later after they accost Mineo and find the notepad within two seconds.
Dangly: What happened to Natalie Wood's family?
Obvious: Sal Mineo might as well have been wearing a red Star Trek uniform.
Natalie Wood was pretty good in it, I thought. Why did those push-up bras go out of style, anyway? Too many eye injuries? A conspiracy by the silicone industry?
(I expect Cellar to offer an outraged defense of Rebel and point out why my opinion is so Phillistine, BTW.)
