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MEET MARLON BRANDO (TV)

Summary

This documentary depicts a rare press conference for Marlon Brando's film "Morituri." Brando, notorious for avoiding the press, takes a tongue-in-cheek attitude with the reporters, who take the press conference seriously. The short film is set at the Hampshire House Hotel and is produced by pioneering filmmakers Albert and David Maysles. The film's only narration notes that although the reporters have standard questions Brando has unpredictable answers. Brando first argues with a reporter who insists that, because Twentieth Century Fox is paying for the conference, they should talk about the movie. He next tells a woman reporter, who asks for an explanation for his reticence in talking to the press, that news is hawked the same way products are -- so celebrities who do not cooperate are bad for the news industry's business. As part of a running commentary, he again tells another reporter not to say that "Morituri" is a good film if she has not seen it, likening this practice to propaganda. Speaking French with a French reporter outside the hotel, he is distracted by an African-American woman who is passing by. The reporter has asked whether an actor should be responsible for social issues, and Brando responds that everyone is responsible. He next asks the African-American passerby to respond to the question. Back inside the hotel, Brando and a reporter discuss race and violence in society. In the next interview, Brando succeeds in getting the reporter to speak more than he, although he does volunteer some information about his involvement with Native Americans. In the last interview, he easily coaxes reporter Bobbie Johnson to talk about her experience as Miss USA. The film closes as Brando quips, "For God sakes, see the film."

Details

  • NETWORK: ORF (Austria)
  • DATE: November 30, 1964
  • RUNNING TIME: 0:26:58
  • COLOR/B&W: B&W
  • CATALOG ID: T:64066
  • GENRE: Arts documentaries
  • SUBJECT HEADING: International Collection - Austria; Motion picture actors and actresses; Press conferences
  • SERIES RUN: ORF - TV
  • COMMERCIALS: N/A

CREDITS

  • Albert Maysles … Production (Misc.), A Film by
  • David Maysles … Production (Misc.), A Film by
  • Charlotte Zwerin … Production (Misc.), Film edited by
  • Marlon Brando
  • Bobbie Johnson