"On the Waterfront" (1954)

"On the Waterfront" (1954) - Intro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM's "The Essentials"

Intro:

Hi I’m Ben Mankiewicz, thanks for joining me here on Turner Classic Movies. Up next we have Marlon Brando and Edie Doyle in “On the Waterfront.” “On the Waterfront” takes place on and around the docks of New Jersey and tells the story of ex-prizefighter, Terry Malloy (played by Marlon Brando), who has information that could bring down crooked mob boss, Johnny Friendly (Played by Lee J. Cobb). The question becomes “what does Malloy do with his information,” complicating the matter is Terry’s brother, Charlie who works for Friendly, and then of course Terry’s feelings for the victim’s sister Edie Doyle (played by Eva Marie Saint). When “On the Waterfront” was released in 1954 it was shrouded in controversy, perhaps it was the films subject matter (racketeering, the mob, and organized labor unions) or perhaps it was the director Elia Kazan himself, who in April of 1952, testified publicly in front of the “House of Un-American Activities Committee” (HUAC). Kazan had been a member of the Communist party in the 1930s during the height of the Great Depression, and in an emblematic effort to renounce his affiliations with the party , was asked to provide the names of other communists in Hollywood. Kazan initially refused to provide names but eventually named eight communist party members. In revealing members of the Communist party, Kazan was able to continue working on movies. Some of the people he named, however, could not - their careers and lives either were derailed or destroyed making Kazan thereafter a controversial figure. “On the Waterfront” earned eight Oscars including ‘Best Picture’ and ‘Best Actor’ for Marlon Brando. From 1954, here are Marlon Brando and Eva Marie Saints, along with Rod Steiger, Karl Marlden, and Lee J. Cobb in: “On the Waterfront.”

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“On the Waterfront” (1954) - Outro

Written by: Josh Lansky

TCM's "The Essentials"

Outro:

The most famous scene from “On the Waterfront” is also one of the most famous scenes in Hollywood history. It’s that “I could have been a contender” scene where Marlon Brando and Rod Steiger talk in the backseat of a car. According to Brando, the two actors did the scene as it was scripted several times but it just didn’t feel right to Brando. Something wasn’t working, finally director Elia Kazan said to the actors: “Okay, wing one.” Then the two actors improvised the scene and that’s the take they used. Marlon Brando has since been called the greatest movie actor ever. But when the screenplay for “On the Waterfront” was written it was with John Garfield in mind as the male lead. But Garfield died before the project went into production and that left the role wide open. Frank Sinatra briefly had the role but when Producer Sam Spiegel learned Marlon Brando’s schedule had unexpectedly opened up, he quickly changed course and recruited Brando to work on the film. Brando went on to win an Oscar an and Sinatra went on to file suit. Director Elia Kazan credited four things for the film’s success: Marlon Brando’s amazing performance, legendary screenwriter Bud Schulberg’s powerful script, producer Sam Spiegel’s tenacity,and Elia Kazan himself. Yes, Kazan did not forget to take his equal share of the credit. Equal shares of credit all around…Hm, sounds a little bit like communism. From TCM’s “The Essentials” I’m Ben Mankiewicz and thanks for stopping by, till next time…