Early in 1954, while they were still working on the script, Paul Osborn suggested to Elia Kazan that he go see James Dean, attracting much attention for his small role in Andre Gide's "The Immoralist" on the New York stage. Kazan was familiar with Dean from the Actors Studio, the famous theatrical training ground he had helped to found. The two had even worked briefly on a small project there. Kazan didn't think much of Dean but, responding to a quality he thought might be right for the part of Cal, decided to call him into the Warner Brothers office. He said Dean just sat there surly and unresponsive. Unable to carry on an articulate conversation, he offered Kazan a ride on his motorcycle. It was a risky and harrowing experience Kazan regretted agreeing to, but he also realized right then that he had his Cal. He sent Dean to meet Steinbeck. The author's reply after the meeting was that he didn't like Dean personally but "He's it!" Dean gave notice to the producers of "The Immoralist" and was out of the play in two weeks.

Film

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