The Defiant Ones (1958); The Wild One (1954)

August 10, 2013 - 7:30 pm

Billy Wilder Theater

In-person:

actors Theodore Bikel and Cara Williams.

The Defiant Ones (1958)

Directed by Stanley Kramer

Two escaped convicts, a proud black man and a white bigot, escape from a convoy of prisoners. Making a break for freedom while chained at the wrist, they find that they are connected in more ways than one. Controversial, even reviled in some parts of the U.S., the film garnered several Academy Award nominations, securing an Oscar for its screenwriting team, including formerly blacklisted Nedrick Young (writing as Nathan E. Douglas).

United Artists Corp. Producer: Stanley Kramer. Screenwriter: Nathan E. Douglas, Harold Jacob Smith. Cinematographer: Sam Leavitt. Editor: Frederic Knudtson. Cast: Tony Curtis, Sidney Poitier, Theodore Bikel, Charles McGraw, King Donovan.

35mm, b/w, 96 min.

Watch the trailer below.

The Wild One (1954)

Directed by Laslo Benedek

Producer Stanley Kramer’s second project with director Laslo Benedek was this timely genre prototype about restless youth’s challenge to established order. Marlon Brando as “Johnny” heads a group of ruffian bikers who terrorize a small town until Johnny himself becomes attracted to a local girl. Framed as a cautionary tale, the film simultaneously served as an apotheosis of disaffected youth…for better or worse.

Columbia Pictures Corp. Producer: Stanley Kramer. Based on a short story by Frank Rooney. Screenwriter: John Paxton. Cinematographer: Hal Mohr. Editor: Al Clark. Cast: Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy, Robert Keith, Lee Marvin, Jay C. Flippen.

35mm, b/w, 79 min.

Watch the trailer below.

Part of:

Champion: The Stanley Kramer Centennial

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The Defiant Ones (1958); The Wild One (1954)

The Defiant Ones (1958)

The Wild One (1954)

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