September 30, 1955

September 30, 1955

Year: 1977

Runtime: 101 mins

Language: English

Director: James Bridges

Drama

The day it all came apart… A young Southerner loses his grip on reality when his favorite movie star James Dean suddenly dies in a car crash.

Warning: spoilers below!

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Timeline & Setting – September 30, 1955 (1977)

Explore the full timeline and setting of September 30, 1955 (1977). Follow every major event in chronological order and see how the environment shapes the story, characters, and dramatic tension.

Time period

September 1955

The movie takes place during the fall of 1955, a period marked by post-war American prosperity, the rise of youth culture, and the tragic death of James Dean. This era reflects a time of cultural transition, teenage rebellion, and societal change, encapsulating the tone of mid-1950s Americana.

Location

Conway, Arkansas

Conway is a small town in Arkansas known for its close-knit community and scenic river surroundings. It's where the story unfolds, capturing the essence of mid-1950s American suburban life with local gatherings, high school events, and the nearby Arkansas River serving as a backdrop for pivotal scenes.

🌆 Small Town 🎒 College Town 🌳 Riverbanks

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

Main Characters – September 30, 1955 (1977)

Meet the key characters of September 30, 1955 (1977), with detailed profiles, motivations, and roles in the plot. Understand their emotional journeys and what they reveal about the film’s deeper themes.

Jimmy J. (Richard Thomas)

Jimmy J. is a passionate and sensitive college student overwhelmed by grief over James Dean's death. His obsession with Dean's persona drives him toward rebellious acts and a spiritual quest, expressing his struggle to find identity and purpose amidst emotional turmoil.

🌟 Sensitive 😢 Grieving 🧙️ Rebellious

Billie Jean (Lisa Blount)

Billie Jean is a working-class girl and Jimmy J.'s friend who shares his admiration for James Dean. She is portrayed as intense and impulsive, experiencing trauma from her accident and struggling with silence and scars, symbolizing emotional and physical scars.

🔥 Intense 💀 Traumatized 🧙‍♀️ Rebellious

Charlotte (Deborah Benson)

Charlotte is Jimmy J.'s girlfriend who appears supportive yet distant. She symbolizes societal pressures and the contrast between youthful innocence and the reality of growing up, ultimately withdrawing from Jimmy J. as he pursues his obsession.

💖 Caring 💍 Young Love 🎓 Supportive

Frank (Dennis Quaid)

Frank is Jimmy J.'s friend who is pragmatic and often skeptical of Jimmy J.'s emotional pursuits. He acts as a foil to Jimmy's idealism, representing the more grounded perspective of their peer group.

💼 Practical 😐 Skeptical 🤝 Loyal

Eugene (Dennis Christopher)

Eugene is a fellow student and part of Jimmy J.'s circle, portrayed as a more reserved and observant character who accompanies Jimmy J. on his spiritual and rebellious endeavors, reflecting peer influence and group dynamics.

🧑‍🎓 Observant 🤝 Supportive 🎶 Youth culture

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

Major Themes – September 30, 1955 (1977)

Explore the central themes of September 30, 1955 (1977), from psychological, social, and emotional dimensions to philosophical messages. Understand what the film is really saying beneath the surface.

🖤 Grief and Mourning

The film explores deep emotional struggles with loss, particularly Jimmy J.'s intense mourning of James Dean's death. It portrays how grief can lead to destructive behaviors and a search for meaning, difficult acceptance, and the longing for connection with the departed.

🎭 Identity and Rebellion

The movie examines teenage identity, rebellion, and the desire for individuality. Jimmy J. emulates James Dean's rebellious archetype, navigating societal expectations, parental disapproval, and his own internal conflicts while seeking his place in the world.

Last Updated: August 19, 2025 at 05:00

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Explore Movie Threads

Discover curated groups of movies connected by mood, themes, and story style. Browse collections built around emotion, atmosphere, and narrative focus to easily find films that match what you feel like watching right now.

Movies about theatrical teen grief like September 30, 1955

Stories where young people process profound loss through performative, misguided rebellion.If you liked the way September 30, 1955 portrays a teenager's theatrical response to loss, you'll find similar stories here. These films explore characters who process profound grief through performative rebellion, often damaging their real-world relationships in the process.

grievingrebellioustheatricalintrospectiveaimlessnostalgicisolated

Narrative Summary

These narratives typically follow a young protagonist who experiences a seismic personal loss, often the death of an idol or loved one. Instead of conventional mourning, the character adopts a theatrical, rebellious persona inspired by their idol or their own angst, leading to a collision between their romanticized fantasy of grief and the messy consequences of their actions in reality.

Why These Movies?

Movies are grouped here for their shared focus on the specific, performative nature of adolescent grief. They share a melancholic tone, a steady pacing that allows for deep character study, and a bittersweet ending where self-awareness is gained at a significant personal cost.

Single day character crisis movies like September 30, 1955

Character-driven dramas where a single, pivotal day forces a psychological breaking point.Fans of September 30, 1955's focused, day-long narrative will appreciate these similar films. These movies capture a character's intense psychological journey and breaking point within a tightly confined timeframe, creating a potent and immersive viewing experience.

intensepsychologicalfocusedclaustrophobicunravelingtransformativedescent

Narrative Summary

The narrative pattern is defined by a linear, straightforward plot that occurs within a single day or very short period. A triggering event—such as news of a death—sends the protagonist into an emotional tailspin, and the film charts their escalating, often reckless behavior as they confront their crisis, leading to a consequential climax.

Why These Movies?

These films are united by their condensed timeline, which creates a unique pacing and intensity. They share a focus on deep character exploration over complex plotting, a steady build of psychological tension, and a tone that is often deeply melancholic or tense as a life comes apart in a short span.

Unlock the Full Story of September 30, 1955

Don't stop at just watching — explore September 30, 1955 in full detail. From the complete plot summary and scene-by-scene timeline to character breakdowns, thematic analysis, and a deep dive into the ending — every page helps you truly understand what September 30, 1955 is all about. Plus, discover what's next after the movie.

September 30, 1955 Summary

Read a complete plot summary of September 30, 1955, including all key story points, character arcs, and turning points. This in-depth recap is ideal for understanding the narrative structure or reviewing what happened in the movie.

September 30, 1955 Summary

September 30, 1955 Timeline

Track the full timeline of September 30, 1955 with every major event arranged chronologically. Perfect for decoding non-linear storytelling, flashbacks, or parallel narratives with a clear scene-by-scene breakdown.

September 30, 1955 Timeline

September 30, 1955 Spoiler-Free Summary

Get a quick, spoiler-free overview of September 30, 1955 that covers the main plot points and key details without revealing any major twists or spoilers. Perfect for those who want to know what to expect before diving in.

September 30, 1955 Spoiler-Free Summary

More About September 30, 1955

Visit What's After the Movie to explore more about September 30, 1955: box office results, cast and crew info, production details, post-credit scenes, and external links — all in one place for movie fans and researchers.

More About September 30, 1955