REAL-LIFE STORIES, RECALLED BY HARRY HARPER
JAMES DEAN AND ALEC GUINNESS
The Villa Capri, Hollywood, September 23, 1955
He identifies the renowned English actor Alec Guinness, known for many of his beloved Ealing comedies, including Kind Hearts And Coronets. Known for a bit of superstition, Guinness is about to apply his intuition to James Dean.
He takes pleasure in sharing tales of his psychic abilities. On New Year’s Eve in 1943, while resting in the cabin of the naval ship where he served as a lieutenant, he seemingly heard a foreboding voice declare, ‘Tomorrow.’ This event left him convinced it was a warning of impending death.
Later that evening, the ship faced a hurricane and crashed against the rocks while entering the quaint Italian port of Termoli. He ordered an evacuation, thereby defeating the ominous voice.
Fast forward 12 years, now in Hollywood and weary after a 16-hour journey. The screenwriter Thelma Moss has invited him to dinner, and they choose the Villa Capri. However, upon learning from the maître d’ that it is fully booked, they start to leave.
Just then, Guinness hears the sound of running footsteps approaching from behind. He turns to see a young man, clad in sneakers, a sweatshirt, and blue jeans.
‘You want a table?’ the young man asks. ‘Join me. I’m James Dean.’
‘That’s very kind of you,’ Guinness replies, eagerly following Dean back to the Villa Capri.
Before entering, James Dean remarks, ‘I’d like to show you something,’ leading them into the courtyard.
There, he showcases his newly acquired racing car, one of only 90 Porsche 550 Spyders ever created.
It has been customized with tartan seats and two red stripes at the rear of the wheel well, designed by George Barris, the future creator of the Batmobile.
‘It’s just been delivered,’ Dean shares proudly.
At that moment, a premonition grips Guinness.
‘What’s the maximum speed you can reach in that?’
‘I can hit 150 in it.’
‘Have you driven it yet?’
‘Not a chance, I haven’t been in it at all.’
Then, feeling ‘exhausted, hungry, and a little short-tempered,’ Guinness hears himself deliver a warning in a voice that feels unfamiliar: ‘Look, I … need to say something. Please do not get into that car.’
He checks his watch.
‘It’s currently 10 o’clock on Friday, September 23, 1955. If you enter that car, you will be found dead by this time next week.’
Despite the grave forecast, Dean laughs it off.
‘Oh, come on!’ he exclaims. ‘Don’t be so negative!’
Guinness apologizes, attributing his outburst to his exhaustion and hunger.
The trio proceeds to enjoy ‘a lovely dinner’ together before parting ways.
A week later, on September 30, Dean drives his new Spyder through the intersection of Route 46 and Route 41 near Cholame, California, colliding head-on with a Ford Custom Tudor coupe driven by a student named Donald Turnupseed.
Transported by ambulance to Paso Robles War Memorial Hospital, James Dean is pronounced dead upon arrival at 5:59 PM.
by Harry Harper
