In a film as explosive as the famed rebel, September 30, 1955 follows the effect James Dean's death has on a circle of friends in a small Arkansas town. Their leader Jimmy J. (Richard Thomas) is a college undergrad who, like his cinematic hero, feels alienated and misunderstood. At the news of Dean's death, Jimmy J. gathers his friends, including fellow spirit Billie Jean (Lisa Blount), girlfriend Charlotte (Deborah Benson), roommate Hanley (Tom Hulce), sidekick Eugene (Dennis Christopher) and jock Frank (Dennis Quaid), for an emotional vigil. What begins, however, as a soul-searching assemblage gives way to youthful revelry, drinking binges, police chases, midnight séances, graveyard mischief and ultimately, tragedy.