Happy 98th birthday in heaven to Marlon Brando, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, credited with popularizing method acting. In his personal life, Brando was part of the solution. He was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, a supporter of the American Indian Movement and an activist against apartheid. So, even though he arranged for movie mogul Jack Woltz to wake up in bed with the severed head of his prized stallion, overall his good deeds outweighed the atrocious.
Thanks for remembering Brando on his birthday, and The Godfather, the 1972 film that marked a turning point in his acting career.
I'm sure you'll recall, Shady, when Brando was named Best Actor for The Godfather at the Academy Awards, it was not he but a young woman by the name of Sacheen Littlefeather who came up to both turn down the Oscar on the actor's behalf and deliver a speech about the mistreatment of Native Americans in both motion pictures and in real life, alluding to the siege of Wounded Knee which had yet to be resolved. She was booed by many in the audience, and Brando was criticized for putting her up to it and bringing dishonor to the Oscars. Well, at least Brando never decked anybody at the awards ceremony.
Which reminds me, in 2016 an actress boycotted the Oscars, citing a lack of diversity in the nominations and further stating that she had been inspired by Littlefeather. The actress? Jada Pinkett Smith. No particular moral to this story, other than an ironic moment awaits at every corner. It's why I call this blog Shadow of a Doubt.
It was a calculated gentleness, JM. One that gave him an edge over the other mob bosses and allowed the people in his neighborhood, his territory, to regard him as a benevolent figure, hence the title Godfather.
In order to keep the hucksters, humbugs, scoundrels, psychos, morons, and last but not least, artificial intelligentsia at bay, I have decided to turn on comment moderation. On the plus side, I've gotten rid of the word verification.
"I'm gonna make him an offer he can't refuse."
ReplyDeleteHi,Kirk!
Happy 98th birthday in heaven to Marlon Brando, one of the greatest actors of the 20th century, credited with popularizing method acting. In his personal life, Brando was part of the solution. He was actively involved in the Civil Rights Movement, a supporter of the American Indian Movement and an activist against apartheid. So, even though he arranged for movie mogul Jack Woltz to wake up in bed with the severed head of his prized stallion, overall his good deeds outweighed the atrocious.
Thanks for remembering Brando on his birthday, and The Godfather, the 1972 film that marked a turning point in his acting career.
Have a wonderful week, good buddy Kirk!
I'm sure you'll recall, Shady, when Brando was named Best Actor for The Godfather at the Academy Awards, it was not he but a young woman by the name of Sacheen Littlefeather who came up to both turn down the Oscar on the actor's behalf and deliver a speech about the mistreatment of Native Americans in both motion pictures and in real life, alluding to the siege of Wounded Knee which had yet to be resolved. She was booed by many in the audience, and Brando was criticized for putting her up to it and bringing dishonor to the Oscars. Well, at least Brando never decked anybody at the awards ceremony.
DeleteWhich reminds me, in 2016 an actress boycotted the Oscars, citing a lack of diversity in the nominations and further stating that she had been inspired by Littlefeather. The actress? Jada Pinkett Smith. No particular moral to this story, other than an ironic moment awaits at every corner. It's why I call this blog Shadow of a Doubt.
Yeah, a gentle ruthless killer.
ReplyDeleteIt was nothing personal, Debra, just business.
DeleteYou don't go against the family!!
ReplyDeleteThere was a gentleness about him however. How else would he have become such an iconic character?
It was a calculated gentleness, JM. One that gave him an edge over the other mob bosses and allowed the people in his neighborhood, his territory, to regard him as a benevolent figure, hence the title Godfather.
Delete