We all know ‘Rebel Without a Cause’ represents an era of Hollywood cinema that defined ideals of American masculinity. But the film about teenage angst and suburban households was less ambitious. It was billed as “Entertainment of unforgettable emotional impact!” and “A story that daringly meets the challenge of today’s most vital controversy!” without ever mentioning the controversy. It was a decent film and Dean’s first lead role. It was nominated for three Academy Awards.
‘Rebel Without a Cause’ (1955) was an unprecedented success. James Dean’s tragic car crash a month before the film was released surely secured the film’s box office command and placed it in the eternal vault of popular culture. In life and in death, everything he touched turned cool. To the point that Dean, playing Jim Stark, immortalized the 1949 Mercury Coupe in the halls of cool, despite the fact it was considered a middle-class family sedan prior to filming.
Two for the Road
Audrey Hepburn and Albert Finney star in 'Two for the Road' (1967). It’s essentially a love story that takes place on the road. Accompanying the drives through the South of France are a white Mercedes-Benz 230 SL, a Roadster, an MG TD, an Alfa Romeo, and a Triumph Herald. The various cars from different eras serve to remind the viewer of the setting’s time and place since the story is presented non-linearly. It takes place through a 12-year time period beginning when the couple fall in love.
AV Club calls it “a clear-eyed, openhearted, and ultimately open-ended portrait of a marriage.” Directed by Stanley Donen, 'Two for the Road' was nominated for a Best Original Screenplay Oscar. It was filmed on location in France.
Speed
'Speed' is one of those stressful movies that has you hanging on to the edge of your seat and your jaw clenched tight for the duration. A speeding city bus, full of people, is wired to explode by a crazed bomber, but only if it slows down to under 50 mph.
The race is on for stars Keanu Reeves, Sandra Bullock, Joe Morton, and Jeff Daniels. This is what they are up against. Reeves plays LA Bomb Squad specialist and Dennis Hopper plays the mad bomber with an explosive extortion scheme. The 1994 movie features a bus most prominently. Critics liked it. Audiences agreed. All told, 'Speed' brought $350 million to the box office.
Bullitt
'Bullitt' was billed with its chase scene, rightfully so. It’s one of the most famous car chases that has ever hit the silver screen. The trailer screeches and squeals through the recognizable hilly avenues of San Francisco. It’s a classic film that was released in 1968. Frank Bullitt, a tough-as-nails S.F. police detective played by Steve McQueen, the embodiment of ’60s-era cool, goes after mobsters in the city.
He drives the famous green ’68 Mustang Fastback, like a madman. 'Bullitt' also stars Robert Vaughn, Jacqueline Bisset, and Don Gordon. Robert Duvall makes an appearance as a cabbie. The action-thriller was directed by Peter Yates. The appeal of Bullitt lives on. Just recently, the dark green ’68 Mustang from the film sold for $3.74 million at auction.
Thelma and Louise
Not many car movies star two women behind the wheel. Perhaps that’s why 'Thelma and Louise' is such an iconic road trip movie. Geena Davis and Susan Sarandon are Thelma and Louise. The women plan a weekend getaway to escape boyfriend problems. To that end, they hop into Louise’s ’66 Ford Thunderbird and unwittingly become outlaws as they wind their way through the vast entrails of the country’s landscape from Oklahoma to Colorado. A cop is on their tail, and he chases them all the way to the Grand Canyon.
'Thelma and Louise' won an Oscar for Best Original Screenplay. Incidentally, this movie was Brad Pitt’s breakout film for which he was paid a paltry $6,000.