User Reviews

For many years, I have wondered why James Dean is considered such an iconic figure. After all, he only made three movies in his short life, though he did make quite a few TV appearances....mostly on various teleplays. Of these TV performances, I've seen most and think his work on "The Unlighted Road" might just be his best.

Dean plays a guy who arrives at a diner in the middle of no where and he soon is hired to be a cook. Things go just fine...that is until he gets tangled up with some crooks. Then, on his first night out with them, he thinks he's killed someone...and the gang leader is thrilled because now he can blackmail him into working for him for good.

The story is decent and the twist is not entirely unexpected. But Dean's easygoing performance it the reason I think the show is worth seeing. It can be found on YouTube along with many of his other TV performances.

I've been a fan of James Dean for the last decade - that is, since my Tumblr days, which was back in 2013/2014. He was an incredibly talented actor. Plus he had the face of an angel. It's really sad he lost his life at only 24. Who knows where his acting career would've taken him. I've never seen any of his films, so I was excited when I discovered this TV episode from Schlitz Playhouse. He became synonymous in pop culture with the angsty, disillusioned teenager. I'd rather not have that image of him in my head, so I don't plan on seeing Rebel Without a Cause. Just looking at a gif online of the scene where he cries out to his parents "you're tearing me apart!" I could tell it's hard to watch. It was nice to see him portray a different type of character in The Unlighted Road - one that was more congruent to his age. He plays Jeff Lantham, a Korean War veteran who stops at a roadside diner for something to eat. He fixes the coffee machine, which prompts the owner to offer him a job, and he accepts. He also gets room and board. Then he meets a young woman (Ann Burnett), and they start dating. Things seem to be going well for him, until he gets caught up in a scheme as the transporter of stolen items after his boss promises him extra money. I know I posted a review of The File on Thelma Jordon saying I get annoyed watching a film (well, this is a show, but same difference) that has a lead character who's an idiot and gets talked into doing unscrupulous activities. But I made an exception in this case. Jeff is young and going through life with no loved ones or friends. Young people are often coerced into doing something that they know is wrong, especially when a much older person is telling them to do whatever it is. That's not the same as a middle aged man who built a household with a wife and children having an affair, and then helping his mistress cover up her past crimes. The story in The Unlighted Road is more believable. If you love James Dean like I do, don't just watch his films - his television performances are a must see. I'll be sure to watch more of them!

James Dean says this "play is the story of a young man named Jeffery Latham, who opened the door of a very ordinary, innocent-looking roadside diner, and he saw his whole life change…" Mr. Dean (as Latham) plays a restless young man from Wisconsin, who has just ended his stint in Korea. With little luck hitchhiking after dark, Dean enters the diner, and orders coffee and a sandwich. Dean goes behind the counter to fix proprietor Murvyn Vye (as Mike Deegan)' s broken coffee pot, revealing he's worked in diners. Mr. Vye needs help in the coffee shop, and offers Dean a job, and a room. With no place to go, Dean happily accepts.

While tending tables, Dean meets pretty Pat Hardy (as Ann Burnett), who becomes his girlfriend (Hardy was a real-life friend of Dean). Dean feels his restless drifting may have ended, with a stable job, and relationship. After a date with Ms. Hardy, Dean overhears a conversation revealing his trusted benefactor is involved with local crime lord Edgar Stehli (as Matt Schreiber). Though disillusioned, Dean stays in town, intending to avoid criminal activity. Mr. Stehli and Vye , however, have other plans. Vye tricks Dean into transporting some stolen goods; and, while driving on an "unlighted road", Dean's car draws gunfire. Dean's speedy attempt to get away causes the other car to swerve out of control, and crash. Racing back to the diner, Dean learns the other driver, a state trooper, has died. Now a "cop killer", Dean must choose to work for gangster Stehli, or turn himself over to the police...

Appearing after the premiere of "East of Eden", this short drama was no great shakes, relatively speaking. Still, "The Unlighted Road" is a neat little play. Writer Walter C. Brown, Dean, and the cast perform admirably. With Brown's script, Dean is able create a sympathetic character. And, it's nice to see Dean, newly a big screen "movie star", still appearing in an occasional small screen drama.

****** The Unlighted Road (5/6/55) Justus Addiss ~ James Dean, Murvyn Vye, Pat Hardy, Edgar Stehli