THE REBEL LIVES James Dean is back by Blase DiStefano

Actor James Franco (remember him in TV’s Freaks and Geeks?) is obviously the reincarnation of James Dean (proof that Shirley MacLaine knows whereof she speaks). Forty-five years after his death, the legendary rebel comes back to life in James Franco, whose title role in James Dean is truly remarkable, for he so embodies the actor, it is as though he gets into James Dean’s soul.

The 22-year-old Franco prepared extensively for the part by reading as many books on Dean as he could find, by meeting his old friends, and by watching his films. "My favorite was East of Eden," Franco says. "I think I can honestly say that I have seen that film 75 times." Franco also learned how to play the congas and ride a motorcycle, "which I had never done before," he says. Apparently, Franco was willing to jeopardize his health for the part of the legendary actor: "I also smoked two packs of cigarettes a day, and I was not smoking before I made the film."

Franco even went so far as to isolate himself during the filming of the TNT original movie. "I did this because I think he had a pervasive loneliness throughout his life, and I wanted to experience that. Not talking to my family or loved ones had quite an emotional effect on me."

Directed by Mark Rydell, who worked with Dean at one time, James Dean is based on fact, the story of a genuinely tortured boy. "It is a psychological portrait of James Dean," says Rydell, "rather than a straight biographical story."

"Straight" being the operative word here. Though the film doesn’t delve into Dean’s bisexuality, it is hinted at. And what’s important is the tone of the film, the feel of Dean’s openness and sensitivity. It’s worth the watch.

James Dean premieres on TNT (Turner Network Television), Sunday, August 5 at 9 p.m. Repeats:

Sun., Aug. 5, 11 p.m.

Fri., Aug. 10, 7 p.m.

Sat., Aug. 11, 3 p.m.

Sun., Aug. 12, 9 a.m.

Thu., Aug. 16, 7 p.m.

Wed., Aug. 22, 9:30 p.m.

For more info: www.tnt.tv/index.html.

SOME LIKE IT HOT, HOT, HOT
TCM (Turner Classic Movies) in August
Dean-related films

• The James Dean Story (1957): This is a hot documentary by Robert Altman. Mon., Aug. 6, 7 p.m. & Tue., Aug. 7, 2 a.m.

• Rebel Without a Cause (1955): James Dean has the hots for Natalie Wood, and Sal Mineo has the hots for James Dean. Mon., Aug. 6, 8:30 p.m. & Thu., Aug. 16, 5 p.m.

• Giant (1956): Rock Hudson and James Dean do not have the hots for each other! Wed., Aug. 1, 12:15 p.m. & Mon., Aug. 6, 10:30 p.m.

Gay-related films

• Victor/Victoria (1982): Julie Andrews is a woman who plays a gay man who is really a woman, and James Garner has the hots for him/her. Thu., Aug. 9, 10 p.m.

• Strangers on a Train (1951): Farley Granger & Robert Walker play gay men who have the hots for each other, but their mood for murder is much hotter in this Alfred Hitchcock thriller. Thu., Aug. 16, 3 p.m.

• The Children’s Hour (1962): Shirley MacLaine has the hots for Audrey Hepburn, and she kills herself to prove it! Thu., Aug. 16, midnight.

• Cabaret (1972): Helmut Griem has the hots for Liza Minnelli and Michael York. Mon., Aug. 20, 10:30 p.m.

• Forbidden Planet (1956): This is the hot film that gets sung about in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. Wed., Aug. 29, 3 p.m.

• They Only Kill Their Masters (1972): Sugar-sweet June Allyson plays a hot killer lesbian! Fri., Aug. 31, 1 a.m.

MADONNA LIVE

HBO brings the summer to a close with Madonna Live: The Drowned World Tour. Part of Madonna’s first tour in eight years, the exclusive concert event will be presented from the Palace of Auburn Hills in her hometown of Detroit before a standing-room-only crowd of more than 17,000.

One of the most influential artists of the last two decades, Madonna has sold more than 110 million albums worldwide and produced 10 number-one hits in the United States, beginning in 1984 with the title track of her second album, Like a Virgin, which also topped the album charts. Music, her current CD, entered the Billboard album charts at No. 1 in the U.S. and in 22 other countries, and has sold 10 million copies internationally. Her previous album, 1998’s Ray of Light, also topped the chart and went four times platinum.

Madonna Live: The Drowned World Tour airs live on Sunday, August 26, at 8 p.m. on HBO.