Culture & Curiosities

Home
Archive
About
New
Top
Discussion
Cary Grant and the Discomfort with Ambiguity
A new Britbox docudrama sidesteps the star's sexuality, but how should we talk about historical figures' hidden feelings?
 • 
Jason Colavito
1
October 2023
"Opposable Thumbs" Can't Make Criticism into Drama
Matt Singer's fawning biography of Siskel & Ebert banks on nostalgia but never quite manages to turn memories of movie criticism into a compelling…
 • 
Jason Colavito
The Center of Weirdness
Remembering "Eerie, Indiana," one of the weirdest kids' shows of the 1990s.
 • 
Jason Colavito
September 2023
When Was James Dean Drafted?
A review of James Dean's Selective Service records clears up decades of contradictions and confusion about his draft status.
 • 
Jason Colavito
Was Werner Muensterburger Really "James Dean's Analyst"?
A passing reference in a 2013 biography gave the German-born psychoanalyst a new moniker, but the truth is less clear.
 • 
Jason Colavito
My James Dean Book Now Has a Publisher!
Applause Books will publish my new James Dean biography next year.
 • 
Jason Colavito
4
August 2023
When James Dean Was Too Queer for Disney
A documentary producer alleged the House of Mouse refused to be the first to mention Dean's sexuality--decades after it was common knowledge.
 • 
Jason Colavito
1
"Beatings, Boots, Belts and Bondage"
Uncovering a plausible source for Kenneth Anger's claims about James Dean's BDSM sex life.
 • 
Jason Colavito
June 2023
Stephen Kijak's Magnificent Obsession
The filmmaker's new documentary about Rock Hudson rewrites history to turn a stolid, fallible, and ultimately cowardly man into a hero of gay…
 • 
Jason Colavito
2
"Ascension" Is Lovecraft by Way of Camus
Nicholas Binge's new novel has lofty ambitions whose summit its familiar pastiche of Lovecraftian cosmic mysteries can't quite reach.
 • 
Jason Colavito
2
Did the "Real-Life Horse Whisperer" Bunk with James Dean?
Widely repeated claims from a massively bestselling autobiography are not supported by the historical record.
 • 
Jason Colavito
5
May 2023
James Dean Auction Scatters Historic Papers
I acquired two documents that rewrite history. I wish it hadn't come to that.
 • 
Jason Colavito
© 2023 Jason Colavito
Privacy ∙ Terms ∙ Collection notice
Start WritingGet the app
Substack is the home for great writing