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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
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On the Waterfront 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 “TC... 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&#8... 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

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On the Waterfront Quotes:

Terry: You know you're not too funny today, fat man.
Edie: Shouldn't everybody care about everybody else?
Terry: Boy, what a fruitcake you are!
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!
Edie: I want you to stay away from me.
Terry: Edie, you love me... I want you to say it to me.
Edie: I didn't say I didn't love you. I said, "Stay away from me."
Edie: Which side are you with?
Terry: Me? I'm with me, Terry.
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On the Waterfront Facts
While filming the scene in the back of the cab Marlon Brando would leave every day for a psychiatrist appointment before Rod Steiger could film his lines with a double standing in for Brando. Steiger was very hurt by Brando's apparent disregard to a fellow colleague and was not able to forgive him until many years later.
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".
Many real longshoremen from Hoboken, New Jersey were used as extras.
The real-life model for the film's Johnny Friendly character (played by Lee J. Cobb) was International Longshoremen's Association boss Michael Clemente (Johnny Friendly also has aspects of former Murder Inc. head Albert Anastasia, who was a top enforcer for the crime family that ran the Hoboken docks, the Luciano - later Genovese - family). In 1979 Clemente and other members of the Genovese family were indicted for corruption and racketeering on the New York waterfront.
Film debuts of Johnny Seven, Michael V. Gazzo, Pat Hingle, Martin Balsam, and Eva Marie Saint. The last gave a debut performance that won her the Best Supporting Actress Academy Award.
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