How Bernstein shook up the status quo with ‘On the Waterfront’


"In his autobiography A Life (1988), director Elia Kazan outlined the reasons 'On the Waterfront' (1954), universally regarded as his greatest film, was a success. ... Curiously, Kazan failed to mention Leonard Bernstein’s music, the only score that the American composer-conductor ever wrote specifically for a film. 'On the Waterfront' received 12 Academy Award nominations, including one for its score; it won eight Oscars, including best picture, director, screenplay, cinematography, and of course, actor. ... With its tortured history, however, 'On the Waterfront' was a surprising Oscar winner, and remains a polarizing film in some quarters to this day. Many viewed the film’s subject — corruption on the East Coast docks — as Kazan’s allegorical response to his naming names during the House Un-American Activities Committee hearings in 1952. Because of Kazan’s pariah status, Brando and Bernstein initially refused to work with him on 'Waterfront.' As newcomers, Eva Marie Saint (as Edie Doyle, Terry’s love interest) and Rod Steiger (as Charley, Terry’s brother, and underling of corrupt union boss Johnny Friendly, played by Lee J. Cobb) presumably were in no position to object to Kazan’s politics. ..."
Chicago Symphony Orchestra (Audio)
Leonard Bernstein - On the Waterfront
On The Morality Of 'On The Waterfront' (Video)
LA PHIL: On the Waterfront (complete film with live orchestra)
W - Leonard Bernstein
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YouTube: Symphonic Suite from 'On the Waterfront' 19:41

2015 January: On the Waterfront - Elia Kazan (1954)

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