Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe

Season

Please note : this season finished in June 2015

To accompany the reissue this month of John Huston's The Misfits, (screening from Fri 19 - Sun 21 June) we celebrate two enduring icons of American cinema - Marilyn Monroe and James Dean.

James Dean and Marilyn Monroe are fixed in the imagination as two of the most recognisable movie stars, exuding rebellious attitude and sex appeal. However the mythologising of Dean and Monroe deflects from their screen presence and huge impact they had on a buttoned-up and suited 50s America. They predated and predicted the style, cultural and sexual revolutions that were just around the corner.

We present some of the most influential American movies of the period and this is a chance to revisit the enduring charisma of two of the most iconic performers ever to grace a cinema screen.

Previous screenings in this season

Some Like It Hot

U Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe

Please note: This was screened in June 2015

Film

Arguably the best and most popular comedy ever made, Marilyn Monroe, Jack Lemmon and Tony Curtis star in Billy Wilder’s classic screwball tale of cross-dressing Jazz musicians, gangsters, and a credulous blonde.

Giant

PG Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe

Please note: This was screened in June 2015

Film

James Dean plays nouveau oil barron Jett Rink in George Stevens’ all American epic. A sprawling saga of family conflict and social consciousness set in rural Texas amidst the economic geyser that was the dawn of the age of oil.

East Of Eden

PG Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe

Please note: This was screened in June 2015

Film

Elia Kazan’s brilliant adaptation of John Steinbeck’s novel set in a small farming valley in 1917 California was James Dean’s first leading role, as a troubled youth who, along with his competitive brother vies for the affection of his devout father.

Rebel Without a Cause

PG Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe

Please note: This was screened in June 2015

Film

James Dean’s iconic performance is the touchstone of Nicholas Ray’s portrait of teenage angst and torment in 1950's America. A classic of American cinema, that encapsulated post-war American teen culture and immortalised its young lead as the definitive symbol of rebellious youth and cool defiance.

We are closed all day Mon 28 April for staff training.

We are closed all day Mon 28 April for staff training.

Screen Icons: Dean & Monroe