Page "Marlon Brando" Paragraph 96

Marlon Brando is a cultural icon whose popularity has endured for over six decades.

His rise to national attention in the 1950s had a profound effect on the motion picture industry and influenced the broader scope of American culture.

According to film critic Pauline Kael, " Brando represented a reaction against the post-war mania for security.

As a protagonist, the Brando of the early fifties had no code, only his instincts.

He was a development from the gangster leader and the outlaw.

He was antisocial because he knew society was crap ; he was a hero to youth because he was strong enough not to take the crap ... Brando represented a contemporary version of the free American ... Brando is still the most exciting American actor on the screen.

" Sociologist Dr. Suzanne Mcdonald-Walker states: " Marlon Brando, sporting leather jacket, jeans, and moody glare, became a cultural icon summing up ' the road ' in all its maverick glory.

" His portrayal of the gang leader Johnny Strabler in The Wild One has become an iconic image, used both as a symbol of rebelliousness and a fashion accessory that includes a Perfecto style motorcycle jacket, a tilted cap, jeans and sunglasses.

Johnny's haircut inspired a craze for sideburns, followed by James Dean and Elvis Presley, among others.

Dean copied Brando's acting style extensively and Presley used Brando's image as a model for his role in Jailhouse Rock.

The " I coulda been a contenda " scene from On the Waterfront, according to the author of Brooklyn Boomer, Martin H. Levinson, is " one of the most famous scenes in motion picture history and the line itself has become part of America's cultural lexicon.

" Brando's powerful ' Wild One ' image was still as of 2011 being marketed by the makers of his Triumph Thunderbird motorcycle in a range of clothing inspired by his character from the film and licenced by Brando's estate