On the Waterfront Overview:

On the Waterfront (1954) was a Crime - Drama Film directed by Elia Kazan and produced by Sam Spiegel.

The film was based on the newspaper article Crime on the Waterfront from the New York Sun, 24-part series written by Malcolm Johnson published in Nov-Dec 1948.

SYNOPSIS

One of the most powerful film dramas of all time springs from the lives of hard men who work the docks and their resistance to the brass-knuckle politics of the waterfront unions. Union corruption wasn't a popular film subject, and neither were director Kazan and writer Schulberg after testifying to the HUAC. But the product of their collaboration forged a powerful impression on generations of moviegoers. Brando gives a remarkable, intuitive, physical performance as a washed-up boxer turned errand boy for the corrupt union boss. But when he contributed to a killing and falls in love with the victim's sister (Saint), he begins to see the consequences of the union grip on the waterfront. Under the wing of crusading priest Malden, Brando begins to challenge the mob, eventually becoming a bloody symbol of resistance. Stirring, important filmmaking.

(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).

.

On the Waterfront was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.

Academy Awards 1954 --- Ceremony Number 27 (source: AMPAS)

AwardRecipientResult
Best ActorMarlon BrandoWon
Best Supporting ActorLee J. CobbNominated
Best Supporting ActorKarl MaldenNominated
Best Supporting ActorRod SteigerNominated
Best Supporting ActressEva Marie SaintWon
Best Art DirectionRichard DayWon
Best CinematographyBoris KaufmanWon
Best DirectorElia KazanWon
Best Film EditingGene MilfordWon
Best Music - ScoringLeonard BernsteinNominated
Best PictureSam Spiegel, ProducerWon
Best WritingBudd SchulbergWon
.

BlogHub Articles:

?TCM Big Screen Classics: On the Waterfront? Movie Event Ticket Giveaway (April 1 – April 16)

By Annmarie Gatti on Apr 1, 2016 From Classic Movie Hub Blog

Win Tickets to see ?On the Waterfront? on the Big Screen! in Select Cinemas Nationwide?April 24 &?April 27! Okay, here we go? our?next round of monthly?movie ticket giveaways, courtesy of Fathom Events!?That said, this month, we?ll be giving away?SIX PAIRS?of tickets to see??TCM Big Screen Class... Read full article


Chicago Film Club field trip: “On the Waterfront” April 24 at ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Road

By Stephen Reginald on Mar 30, 2016 From Classic Movie Man

Chicago Film Club field trip: “On the Waterfront” April 24 at ShowPlace ICON at Roosevelt Road Where: ShowPlace ICON, 150 W Roosevelt Road, Chicago, IL 60605 When: April 24 Time: 2:00 p.m. Hosted by Stephen Reginald Run Time: 2 hours (approximate) Ticketing: Tickets are avail... Read full article


On the Waterfront (1954)

By Beatrice on Dec 27, 2015 From Flickers in Time

On the Waterfront Directed by Elia Kazan Written by Budd Schulberg based on his original story suggested by articles by Malcolm Johnson 1954/USA Columbia Pictures Corporation/Horizon Pictures Repeat viewing/Netflix rental #281 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die Terry: Edie, you love me... Read full article


On the Waterfront (1954, Elia Kazan)

By Andrew Wickliffe on Jul 3, 2015 From The Stop Button

On the Waterfront is relentlessly grim until the strangest moment in the finale. As the film finally reaches the point of savage, physical violence–it opens with the implication, but not the visualization of such violence–a supporting character (familiar but mostly background) makes a wi... Read full article


On the Waterfront, 1954, Elia Kazan

By Aaron West on May 17, 2015 From Criterion Blues

May 17 Posted by aaronwest Waterfront Week was quite an experiment. This is not something I’ve done before but I’ll most likely do it again for important films as they come along. Here are the posts from the week: Kazan Naming Names – This is about Elia Kazan’s experiences w... Read full article


See all On the Waterfront articles

Quotes from

Father Barry: You'd better get rid of that gun, unless you haven't got the guts, and if you don't, you'd better hang on to it!


Terry: Conscience... that stuff can drive you nuts!


Terry: You know you're not too funny today, fat man.


read more quotes from On the Waterfront...

Facts about

Karl Malden: [name] At the hearing, Slim gives his name as "Mladen Sekulovich", actor Karl Malden's real name. Malden always deeply regretted having had to change his real, very ethnic name for the sake of his movie career, and attempted to make amends over the years by making sure his real name always showed up in his movies, one way or another.
Near the movie's beginning, it's amusing to see character actor James Westerfield, playing Big Mac, calling out names of men selected to work, and paying tribute to himself by yelling, "Westerfield."
Was one of the first films named to the National Film Preservation Board's National Film Registry in 1989.
read more facts about On the Waterfront...
Share this page:
Visit the Classic Movie Hub Blog CMH
book or play


See All Film Adaptations >>
Best Picture Oscar 1954






See more Best Picture awards>>
Related Travel Sites


See All Related Sites >>
National Film Registry

On the Waterfront

Released 1954
Inducted 1989
(Sound)




See All Films in National Registry >>
Also directed by Elia Kazan




More about Elia Kazan >>
Also produced by Sam Spiegel




More about Sam Spiegel >>
Related Lists
Create a list




See All Related Lists >>
Also released in 1954




See All 1954 films >>
More "Book-Based" films



See All "Book-Based" films >>
More "True Story (based on)" films



See All "True Story (based on)" films >>
More "Integrity" films



See All "Integrity" films >>