Films/DVD Asylum

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on October 11, 2005 at 10:33:57

In Reply to: Steiger was a character actor who acted in 95% crap movies: how many posted by tinear on October 10, 2005 at 13:21:57:

I disagree with you adamantly about the 95% crap assessment, unless you mean that 95% of everything is crap, in which case I could point to 95% of Brando's output as well. As I said before, there are some of Brando's roles which stand out and I do like those, but there are at least as many if not twice as many of Rod Steiger's performances which I find riveting.

BTW, I couldn't care less about trivia questions, but keep in mind that Brando went out of his way to remain controversial most of his career and that will maintain his legendary status if nothing else will; in my view his reputation is mixed, at best. If you need examples, I'll gladly provide them:

*Here is a man who refused to take Direction from Frank Oz because he had worked with muppets earlier in his career insultingly refering to him as "Miss Piggy" on the set and trying to have him removed purely based on his own ego; eventually direction had to be handled through an intermediary, his embarrassed co-star.

*His South Sea's debauchery during the filming of Mutiny on the Bounty was scandalous and his difficult behavior during the filming of Apocalypse Now has been well recorded. Directors shooting on location apparently just couldn't take this guy anywhere! ;^)

*His outrageous priced cameos for telephoned in performances are as legendary as his greatest roles, like his walk on performance as Jor El in Superman, where he was reportedly paid over $1,000,000 to just stand there and look patronly!

The list goes on and on. In my book Brando will always be a mixed bag, certainly more of a male star with a Diva's attitude than a talented actor.

AuPh