chimesfreedom

Marlon Brando’s Lonely Oscar

On March 27, 1973, Marlon Brando won the Best Actor Academy Award for The Godfather (1972) and became the second person in history to turn down the Best Actor Oscar. Like George C. Scott a few years earlier, Brando was a no-show for his award. But Brando sent a replacement to make a political statement and to officially reject the award during the telecast.

Sacheen Littlefeather’s Appearance for Brando

The night before the Oscars, Brando told the Academy he was sending Native American actress Sacheen Littlefeather in his place. But when Littlefeather took the stage, she walked past Roger Moore holding the Oscar.

Littlefeather then explained that Brando was refusing the award. Brando, who was active in a number of social causes, declined the award to protest the portrayal of Native Americans in films.

Watching Littlefeather’s speech today, I realized I had forgotten how polite the speech was. From her respect of the time limit, to her apology, to her reference to the “very generous award,” her speech contrasts greatly with the few boos you hear in the audience.

I also forgot that the applause outnumbered the boos. Reportedly, she had planned to read Brando’s long statement but Oscar officials told her beforehand she only had 60 seconds. So Littlefeather improvised quite well, even mentioning recent events at Wounded Knee.

Some critics later claimed that Littlefeather, who was born with the name Marie Cruz, was not Native American. But her father was from the White Mountain Apache and Yaqui tribes. She has appeared in a number of movies and TV shows and is still active in the Native American community.

Some articles report that Littlefeather read “part” of Brando’s speech. But in looking at the text, it appears to me she merely did the best one could to summarize his main point in the short time.

She captured Brando’s attempt to be polite in his unread remarks. In the unread portion, Brando explained that he did not attend because he thought he was of better use if he were at Wounded Knee. His written speech closed:

“I would hope that those who are listening would not look upon this as a rude intrusion, but as an earnest effort to focus attention on an issue that might very well determine whether or not this country has the right to say from this point forward we believe in the inalienable rights of all people to remain free and independent on lands that have supported their life beyond living memory. Thank you for your kindness and your courtesy to Miss Littlefeather. Thank you and good night.”

Brando’s Appearance on “The Dick Cavett Show”

Brando appeared on The Dick Cavett Show not long after he refused the Oscar. In the first few minutes, you can tell that the audience had no problem with his decision to refuse the Oscar for a principle in which he believed.

In the clip, he discusses his Oscar decision starting around the 6:30 mark. And he elaborates on how different ethnic groups are portrayed on television.

George C. Scott’s Rejection of His Oscar

In 1971, two years before Littlefeather took the stage for Brando, George C. Scott rejected his Best Actor Oscar for Patton (1970) because of his dislike for the awards. But on the night of the awards, Patton‘s producer accepted Scott’s award from presenter Goldie Hawn.

While Scott claimed he was at home watching a hockey game during the ceremony, he rejected the award because he did not like the idea of acting as a contest. He had stated years earlier that the Oscars are “a beauty contest in a slaughterhouse.”

According to the Los Angeles Times, George C. Scott’s Oscar ended up on display at the Virginia Military Academy Museum in Lexington, Virgina. It was placed there out of recognition of the man Scott portrayed onscreen, General George S. Patton.

What Happened to Brando’s Oscar?

Marlon Brando passed away in 2004, and I am not sure what happened to Brando’s Oscar. Some websites claim that it was just put back in the pile and given to someone else. Others claim it is in a vault somewhere waiting in case his estate decides to pick it up. Some report that Roger Moore took it home for a short time and that eventually it was given as a replacement for a damaged one owned by Charlie Chaplin. Another source claims it ended up with an unnamed person and that Brando wanted it back at some point.

I like to think that Brando’s Oscar is off somewhere fighting for justice.

Would you have booed or applauded if you were in the audience that night? Leave your two cents in the comments?

Buy from Amazon

The Godfather Opened in March 1972

That Time George Kennedy Gave a Great Movie Its Name

Gary Cooper’s Three Oscars

2013 Pawscars Award Winners Announced

Jonah Hill “Doesn’t” Let Oscar Nom Go to His Head (SNL video)

Oscars Show Snubs Best Song Nominees

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

Elvis Goes Into the Army: March 25, 1958

At the age of 23, Elvis Presley went into the U.S. Army in March 25, thus suspending his promising career that had already altered the music landscape.

On December 20, 1957, Elvis was drafted while he was celebrating Christmas at Graceland, and three months later on March 25, the 23-year-old Elvis went into the U.S. Army. During his time in the Army, Presley served as a member of two armor battalions, first completing basic and advanced training with Company A, 2d Medium Tank Battalion, 37th Armor, stationed at Fort Hood, Texas until September 1958.

Starting in October 1958, Presley served in Germany until March 2, 1960, as a member of the 1st Medium Tank Battalion, 32d Armor. It was during this time in Germany that he met the young teenager Priscilla Beaulieu, who would become his wife. Elvis left active duty on March 5, 1960 and received his discharge from the Army Reserve on March 23, 1964.

This newsreel has the story of the induction.

There were some downsides to these Army years. It was during this period that Elvis began abusing prescription drugs, a practice that would later lead to his death. As Elvis went into the Army, many wondered how his absence would affect his career.

When Presley returned from the Army, he showed he could still generate pop hits like “It’s Now or Never.” Additionally, he would return to making movies, but he was an adult and further away from his teenage rebel rock and roll years.

Although Presley would still make great music after his army years, the music scene had changed during the short time he was gone. In addition to the loss of Elvis during those years, Chuck Berry fell into trouble with the law, Little Richard joined the ministry, Jerry Lee Lewis lost his popularity when he married his young cousin, and Ritchie Valens, the Big Bopper, and Buddy Holly died in a plane crash in Iowa in early 1959.

While the survivors of those years would resurrect their careers to varying degrees, American music was never again like it was before the date in 1958 when Elvis went into the U.S. Army..

Do you remember when Elvis went into the Army? Leave your two cents in the comments.

Elvis Presley With the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra: “If I Can Dream”

The Impromptu Million Dollar Quartet

The End of Maryland’s Death Penalty and “Green, Green Grass of Home”

Longing for the Freedom of My Chains: Dobie Gray’s “Loving Arms”

Although the Oscars Passed Over “Little Richard: I Am Everything,” You Shouldn’t

Esquerita, the Man Buried in an Unmarked Grave Who Inspired Little Richard and Rock and Roll

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

John and Yoko Interview September 9, 1971

Lennon interview

On September 9, 1971, the day John Lennon’s album Imagine was released, journalist and radio personality Howard Smith had one of several conversations with John Lennon and Yoko Ono. The conversations in their St. Regis Hotel room in New York City covered a variety of topics.

In this newly released excerpt prepared for Salon, Lennon and Ono talk about their relationship during this interview that precedes a later period of separation. Both Lennon and Ono respond to questions such as whether it is possible for people to be “too close.”

Of course, much of the conversation also drifts into the other Beatles. In particular, Lennon discusses how his song “How Do You Sleep?” on his new album is a response to Paul McCartney’s song about him, “Too Many People” from Ram (1971). [2019 Update: Unfortunately, the excerpt is no longer available online but below is what is apparently the complete interview.]

Salon has an interesting article on the background about how the tape was found, as well as other information about the recordings.

What do you think is the most interesting part of the Lennon-Yoko interview? Leave your two cents in the comments.

The Latest and Last Beatles Song: “Now and Then”

Ringo Starr Records a John Lennon Song (with a little help from Paul McCartney)

New Beatles ‘A Day in the Life’ Video

The Silly Girl of The Beatles’ “Martha My Dear” Was a Dog

“A Really Big Shock”: McCartney on Hearing of Lennon’s Death

The Beatles’ “Black Album” from “Boyhood”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

The Return of David Brent from “The Office”

Ricky Gervais recently reprised his portrayal of David Brent from the original U.K. “The Office” in a new short, The Return of Brent. He created the video for a U.K. telethon that is sponsored by Comic Relief called Red Nose Day. Although the special that ended the series was a perfect ending to the tale of David Brent, I guess I don’t mind too much finding out what happened to him, which includes pursuing a music career and selling cleaning supplies. It’s not too surprising to hear him describe the time since working at Wernham Hogg as “the best ten years” of his life. Check it out.

In the video, Brent mentions that he is working with rapper Dom Johnson, and you can see the “result” of their collaboration in this video for “Equality Street.”

The new David Brent videos are related to a new Ricky Gervais YouTube channel. The new channel will feature sketches, podcasts, and clips related to the making of the new Muppets sequel that stars Gervais.

What do you think of David Brent’s return? Leave your two cents in the comments.

SNL Brings Together “The Hobbit” and “The Office”

“Little Prince” Trailer (in English)

“That One Night” by The Hunted: So Wrong, So Right

Muppets: “We’re Doing a Sequel”

Human Beings Have This Miraculous Gift: Creed in The Grass Roots

Todd Packer Looks Back on “The Office”

(Some related Chimesfreedom posts.)

Buy from Amazon

Steve Earle Performing “The Low Highway” and “Invisible”

Steve Earle recently performed two songs from his upcoming album The Low Highway on the Ron and Fez radio show. Check out “The Low Highway” and “Invisible” below.