James Dean and Paul Newman Screentest

Two greats together. It's a screen test for Elia Kazan's East Of Eden, they were to play brothers in the adaptation of the John Steinbeck novel. James Dean landed the part and was subsequently nominated for an Oscar for the portrayal. Newman didn't get it. But what makes this a great bit of footage is the candid banter between the two actors. My favourite bit is when Dean says "Kiss me" to Newman. Note Dean playing with the flick knife, a weapon which would become synonymous with the kind of delinquent he would portray in Rebel Without A Cause.