MovieChat Forums > The Wild One Discussion > Introducing Marlon Brando

Introducing Marlon Brando

posted 18 years ago by UncleIgor
3 replies | jump to latest

The Men, Streetcar, Zapata and Juius Ceasar all preceded The Wild One. Even though Marlon had been already nominated for Oscars, it was The Wild One which introduced Brando to the "kids", who after all are the ones who go to the movies. I know, I was there...17 at the time....I hadn't ever seen the other films until I saw The Wild One. It was the time of James Dean and Newman all emerging at this time. Brando was first however. This film had an enormous impact on me personally. I became Marlon Brando. I copied his mannerisms, walk and speech habits for a while. Maybe 2-3 years, until I grew out of it. The film itself was mediocre, but Brando was astonishing. But, that was then, this is now....I recall July 1st, 2004....I was sitting in front of my computer with my TV on next to it. I glanced at the TV and they had a profile shot of Brando with the numbers 1924-2004 beneath it. I felt my entire body being drained and had a terrible feeling running through me. It took the announcer maybe 5 seconds before they said what had happened. It was the end of a time for me, the beginning of a world less interesting, by far. Marlon was gone.....

[–] kbrai 18 years ago

well put

"Im just a bum sitting in a motor home on a film set, BRANDO said, and they come looking for ZEUS".

[–] joanieh1937 18 years ago

Hi Kbrai..

Uncle Igor. I was first introduced to Marlon via the movies in "The Men" but "The Wild One" took me by storm, at the age of 17 going on 18 he took me and our generation by storm.He was my idol. I had the pleasure and honor of having met him during his making of "On the waterfront", he was living at Carnegie Hall Apartments. I met him of my own accord, but soon after became very good friend's with a top New York DJ named Art Ford who was good friends with Marlon, from there things took off as I was on Art's radio show being interviewed by Art about Marlon and The Wild one movie..It's all a very long story, but making it short I had spoken with Marlon on 3 different occation's and when he moved from the Carnegie to stay in Calif he let me know that Marily Monroe was taking over his Apartment. I never thought he would leave(dreamer that I was) ..As a person he was a truly sweet man,always a smile, so much humor and if you didn't know any better you'd never know you were having conversations with a acting genius with so much empathy for other living beings and four legged animals.He'll never be replaced,none equal him or will ever surpass his brilliance in his trade. I'll always miss him. So much stays in my heart over all these years.

[–] liscarkat (19418) 3 years ago

"the "kids", who after all are the ones who go to the movies. I know, I was there..."

I hope the guy who wrote that fifteen years ago is still alive. I was there too, and sure, kids went to the movies, but the movie industry at that time was still aimed mainly at adults. From the mid-1970s on it has gradually been drifting toward teenage boys to the point that mainstream movies today are dominated by comic book stories.