On the Waterfront (1954) | |
| Director(s) | Elia Kazan |
| Producer(s) | Sam Spiegel |
| Top Genres | Crime, Drama, Romance |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Integrity, True Story (based on) |
Featured Cast:
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)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Actor | Marlon Brando | Won |
| Best Supporting Actor | Lee J. Cobb | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Karl Malden | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actor | Rod Steiger | Nominated |
| Best Supporting Actress | Eva Marie Saint | Won |
| Best Art Direction | Richard Day | Won |
| Best Cinematography | Boris Kaufman | Won |
| Best Director | Elia Kazan | Won |
| Best Film Editing | Gene Milford | Won |
| Best Music - Scoring | Leonard Bernstein | Nominated |
| Best Picture | Sam Spiegel, Producer | Won |
| Best Writing | Budd Schulberg | Won |
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 BlogWin 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 ManChicago 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 TimeOn 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 ButtonOn 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 BluesMay 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
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Quotes from
Terry: It wasn't him, Charley, it was you. Remember that night in the Garden you came down to my dressing room and you said, "Kid, this ain't your night. We're going for the price on Wilson." You remember that? "This ain't your night"! My night! I coulda taken Wilson apart! So what happens? He gets the title shot outdoors on the ballpark and what do I get? A one-way ticket to Palooka-ville! You was my brother, Charley, you shoulda looked out for me a little bit. You shoulda taken care of me just a little bit so I wouldn't have to take them dives for the short-end money.
Charlie: Oh I had some bets down for you. You saw some money.
Terry: You don't understand. I coulda had class. I coulda been a contender. I coulda been somebody, instead of a bum, which is what I am, let's face it. It was you, Charley.
Edie: What kind of saint hides in a church?
Edie: Shouldn't everybody care about everybody else?
Terry: Boy, what a fruitcake you are!
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Facts about
According to Arthur Miller in his autobiography "Timebends", he had written a screenplay dealing with corruption on the New York waterfront called "The Hook". Elia Kazan had agreed to direct it, and in 1951 they went to see Harry Cohn at Columbia Pictures about making the picture. Cohn agreed in principle to make "The Hook", but his minions were troubled by the portrayal of corrupt union officials. When Cohn asked that the antagonists of the script be changed to Communists, Miller refused. Cohn sent Miller a letter telling him it was interesting that he had resisted Columbia's desire to make the movie pro-American. This film, which did include corrupt union officials, was based on articles by Malcolm Johnson. Kazan asked Miller to write the script, but he declined due to his disenchantment with Kazan's friendly testimony before the House Un-American Activities Committee. Budd Schulberg, a fellow HUAC informer, developed the story and wrote the script. The movie was produced by Sam Spiegel and distributed by Columbia, which had turned down "The Hook".
The idea for the film began with an expose series written for The New York Sun by reporter Malcolm Johnson. The 24 articles won him a Pulitzer Prize and were reinforced by the 1948 murder of a New York dock hiring boss which woke America to the killings, graft and extortion that were endemic on the New York waterfront. Budd Schulberg was captivated by the subject matter, devoting years of his life to absorbing everything he could about the milieu. He became a regular fixture on the waterfront, hanging out in West Side Manhattan and Long Island bars, interviewing longshore-union leaders and getting to know the outspoken priests from St Xavier's in Hell's Kitchen.
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