On the Waterfront (1954) August 18, 2012

Marlon Brando is Terry Malloy, an ex-prize fighter struggling against union corruption along the New York waterfront, in Elia Kazan's film classic. Malloy's battle takes him all the way to the witness stand, where he finds himself testifying against union leaders. The film was Kazan's response to his decision to turn in the names of his Hollywood contemporaries during Senator Joe McCarthy's anti-Communism hearings. Lee J. Cobb, Rod Steiger, and Karl Malden were all nominated for the Best Supporting Actor Oscars. The film was Nominated for 12 Academy Awards, winning 8 including Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor--Marlon Brando, Best Screenplay.