One day my friend Pete Tambunga took me down to the Dick Cavett Show.
The show started in 1968 and went on for a few years. He was friends with Marlon Brando and wanted to introduce me to Marlon!
(Pete was also friends with Marlon's son Miko.) He knew Brando from their mutual Native American involvments. I'm also a bit Native American, a great grandmother was Cherokee, now Eastern Band Cherokee, near Murphy, North Carolina.
Dick had a talk show and interviewed so many of the famous over the years. He was (and is) an intellectual and so the conversations could be sophisticated. But when we met, Pete, who had a way of turning phrases around (I still use Tambungaisms), and me started telling jokes.
Someone took out a camera and took a picture of me, Marlon and Pete. Then Pete took one of me and Marlon. So I want to see those pictures again, though not as much as I'd like to talk to Pete again!
On the show Marlon is talking about social causes, in particular the racism experienced by Native Americans. Surprise! We're linking to the DICK CAVETT BLOG website THE OPINION PAGES from the New York Times above!
PS: FROM WES : This is the show! Marlon was coming out of the studio and yelled "Hey Pete!" And then Pete introduced us. He gave Pete a hug and then me a hug.
Showing posts with label Marlon Brando. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Marlon Brando. Show all posts
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
Wednesday, March 30, 2011
(353) MARLON BRANDO or JAMES DEAN THE SCREEN TESTS
Recently we found these screen tests on YouTube and thought you'd enjoy taking a look at them. James Dean and Marlon Brando have both become acting legends.
AND MARLON BRANDO testing FOR THE ROLE THAT JAMES DEAN GOT
AND MARLON BRANDO testing FOR THE ROLE THAT JAMES DEAN GOT
Sunday, March 6, 2011
OUR ARCHIVE REVISITED (127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES/MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
From Thursday, April 3, 2008
(127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES / MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
Now, friends, Elvis is criticized for his movie roles these days and I have to admit that he came to be disappointed with his acting career and where movies took his music, but in the early 1960's Elvis was generally open and enthusiastic with making movies. Hollywood was still a movie-making town and it was important to Elvis to be in the Los Angeles area to make them.
Elvis was being offered roles that had been written for actors with great prestige like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
"King Creole" was written by Harold Robbins with the original title, "A Stone For Danny Fisher." James Dean was supposed to star in it. (The movie James Dean is most often known for, "Rebel Without a Cause," was also offered to Marlon Brando, who did a screen test for it.) Marlon Brando was supposed to star in "Flaming Star," which had been written with him in mind but Elvis stared instead.
Elvis would think "If this role is good enough for Marlon or James Dean it's good enough for me." The studios would add some songs, turn a script into a musical, give the job to Elvis... Elvis could read a script one time through and know his lines and he was the consummate professional on the set, treating people from all walks of life with courtesy.
(127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES / MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
Now, friends, Elvis is criticized for his movie roles these days and I have to admit that he came to be disappointed with his acting career and where movies took his music, but in the early 1960's Elvis was generally open and enthusiastic with making movies. Hollywood was still a movie-making town and it was important to Elvis to be in the Los Angeles area to make them.
Elvis was being offered roles that had been written for actors with great prestige like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
"King Creole" was written by Harold Robbins with the original title, "A Stone For Danny Fisher." James Dean was supposed to star in it. (The movie James Dean is most often known for, "Rebel Without a Cause," was also offered to Marlon Brando, who did a screen test for it.) Marlon Brando was supposed to star in "Flaming Star," which had been written with him in mind but Elvis stared instead.
Elvis would think "If this role is good enough for Marlon or James Dean it's good enough for me." The studios would add some songs, turn a script into a musical, give the job to Elvis... Elvis could read a script one time through and know his lines and he was the consummate professional on the set, treating people from all walks of life with courtesy.
Friday, December 4, 2009
PHILIP RHODES MY FRIEND and MARLON BRANDO'S
This is a memorial for an old friend - old? He must have been 95!
I'd been thinking about Philip and couldn't find the address book I had his number in. When I called yesterday, it was only to learn from Philip's grieving wife, Marie, that Philip had passed away early this year.
Phil was a true genius in the art of movie make-up - a silent giant - and collaborated with Marlon Brando for years, to get his look just right for his films. He had known John Barrymore and was a friend to Orson Wells. Phil and I spend hours talking about Hollywood and James Dean. I enjoyed listening to Phil's stories, and his philosophizing. He was a true gentleman of the kind they don't make any more, an ascot tucked into his shirt, immaculate. The last time I saw him he was having a little "power lunch" at DuPars, a diner famous for its pies, with a group of his friends. -Wes Bryan
I met Phil through Wes at the library where he and I first met. One time Phil talked to me about making noses and adding to chins with wax. He was one of those artistic individuals who always had a project. And he would go to book sales and giveaways and load up the trunk of his car, because he had the kind of mind that always craves knowledge.
He had vivid blue eyes and a youthful quality that defied his years; he had lived in Paris in the 1920's. I can only hope that I will live as long and be able to contribute creatively as much as Phil did. - Christine Trzyna
I'd been thinking about Philip and couldn't find the address book I had his number in. When I called yesterday, it was only to learn from Philip's grieving wife, Marie, that Philip had passed away early this year.
Phil was a true genius in the art of movie make-up - a silent giant - and collaborated with Marlon Brando for years, to get his look just right for his films. He had known John Barrymore and was a friend to Orson Wells. Phil and I spend hours talking about Hollywood and James Dean. I enjoyed listening to Phil's stories, and his philosophizing. He was a true gentleman of the kind they don't make any more, an ascot tucked into his shirt, immaculate. The last time I saw him he was having a little "power lunch" at DuPars, a diner famous for its pies, with a group of his friends. -Wes Bryan
I met Phil through Wes at the library where he and I first met. One time Phil talked to me about making noses and adding to chins with wax. He was one of those artistic individuals who always had a project. And he would go to book sales and giveaways and load up the trunk of his car, because he had the kind of mind that always craves knowledge.
He had vivid blue eyes and a youthful quality that defied his years; he had lived in Paris in the 1920's. I can only hope that I will live as long and be able to contribute creatively as much as Phil did. - Christine Trzyna
Tuesday, October 6, 2009
JAMES DEAN SCREEN TEST MARLON BRANDO
Don't know the date on this but the rumors are true, Marlon screen tested for the role Jimmy got. We'll never know what would have become of James Dean and his career if he had lived...
NEW CODE FOR VIDEO NEEDED
NEW CODE FOR VIDEO NEEDED
Thursday, April 3, 2008
(127) ELVIS AND MOVIE ROLES / MARLON BRANDO? JAMES DEAN? ELVIS PRESLEY?!
Now, friends, Elvis is criticized for his movie roles these days and I have to admit that he came to be disappointed with his acting career and where movies took his music, but in the early 1960's Elvis was generally open and enthusiastic with making movies. Hollywood was still a movie-making town and it was important to Elvis to be in the Los Angeles area to make them.
Elvis was being offered roles that had been written for actors with great prestige like Marlon Brando and James Dean.
"King Creole" was written by Harold Robbins with the original title, "A Stone For Danny Fisher." James Dean was supposed to star in it. (The movie James Dean is most often known for, "Rebel Without a Cause," was also offered to Marlon Brando, who did a screen test for it.) Marlon Brando was supposed to star in "Flaming Star," which had been written with him in mind but Elvis stared instead.
Elvis would think "If this role is good enough for Marlon or James Dean it's good enough for me."
The studios would add some songs, turn a script into a musical, give the job to Elvis...Elvis could read a script one time through and know his lines and he was the consummate professional on the set, treating people from all walks of life with courtesy.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
(98) ELVIS and FLAMING STAR : MY FIRST PARTY AT ELVIS' LOS ANGELES
The first party I attended at Elvis' he was in the process of making the film "Flaming Star" at Twentieth Century Fox. The film also stared Barbara Eden who would become famous for her long runing TV series "I Dream of Jeannie." The script was about a "half breed" Indian (Native American) and was originally written with Marlon Brando in mind.
Elvis came home wearing the heavy makeup that the studio artists had put on him to give this "half breed" effect. He welcomed me into his home and went off to remove the makeup which must have taken a couple hours.
Link above to the IMBd datebase information on "Flaming Star." The makeup looks heavy and fake to me now.
Elvis came home wearing the heavy makeup that the studio artists had put on him to give this "half breed" effect. He welcomed me into his home and went off to remove the makeup which must have taken a couple hours.
Link above to the IMBd datebase information on "Flaming Star." The makeup looks heavy and fake to me now.
Tuesday, November 13, 2007
(70) THERE'S A HOUSE PARTY TONIGHT !
The first party I attended at Elvis' after moving to LA, Johnny Rivers and I drove up to Bel Air. Elvis was making the movie "Flaming Star" at 20th Century Fox. It was his 6th movie. Johnny had been over to Elvis and he said "I know he wants to see you." So we got into Johnny's car and drove up to Bel Air.
In the movie "Flaming Star," Elvis played what we referred to then as a "half breed," someone who was half Native American. It was Marlon Brando who the writers had in mind to play the part Elvis did. It wouldn't be the first or last time that a script written with James Dean or Marlon Brando in mind ended up staring Elvis Presley.
The femme fatal of the film was actress Barbara Eden, who would become known for her signature role in the television series "I Dream of Jeannie."
At the house Elvis came through the door still covered in the body makeup the studio had him wear to appear darker. (He also wore brown contact lenses to cover his naturally blue eyes.) When you look at some of the stills of the film today, you can see how unnatural it looks.
He welcomed me with a hug and told us to make ourselves at home until he got all that makeup off. It took him near an hour.
This was the beginning of my being a regular at Elvis Presley's house parties - the time of my life! Elvis' as my second home!
In the movie "Flaming Star," Elvis played what we referred to then as a "half breed," someone who was half Native American. It was Marlon Brando who the writers had in mind to play the part Elvis did. It wouldn't be the first or last time that a script written with James Dean or Marlon Brando in mind ended up staring Elvis Presley.
The femme fatal of the film was actress Barbara Eden, who would become known for her signature role in the television series "I Dream of Jeannie."
At the house Elvis came through the door still covered in the body makeup the studio had him wear to appear darker. (He also wore brown contact lenses to cover his naturally blue eyes.) When you look at some of the stills of the film today, you can see how unnatural it looks.
He welcomed me with a hug and told us to make ourselves at home until he got all that makeup off. It took him near an hour.
This was the beginning of my being a regular at Elvis Presley's house parties - the time of my life! Elvis' as my second home!
IMBd movie database for "Flaming Star" link above!
Friday, August 31, 2007
JAMES DEAN OR MARLON BRANDO?
If you could be either
the Next James Dean or The Next Marlon Brando
which would you be?
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
(13) ACTORS STUDIO : LEE STRASBERG & JAMES DEAN & MARLON BRANDO
United Artists had me audition with Lee Strasberg at the famous Actors Studio in New York City, where James Dean and Christine White and Marlon Brando had studied acting.
Stasberg accepted me and I began to take Method Acting classes. He reported to United Artists that I was "a natural."
I was strong and muscular from home building and I actually thought I was more a Marlon Brando type than a James Dean type. Marlon had taken Method Acting but then switched over to studying with Stella Adler.
I was being groomed to play James Dean in a bio pic, they would call it today, about his life.
I was strong and muscular from home building and I actually thought I was more a Marlon Brando type than a James Dean type. Marlon had taken Method Acting but then switched over to studying with Stella Adler.
I was being groomed to play James Dean in a bio pic, they would call it today, about his life.
Link above to the OFFICIAL WEB SITE OF THE STRASBERG THEATRE INSTITUTE!
http://www.marlonbrando.com
OFFICAL WEB SITE OF MARLON BRANDO!
The Official Web Site of Marlon Brando has links to his biography, pictures and much more.
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