Haines His Way

Here is something new and a little different to get the conversation rolling again.  I noticed that Entertainment Weekly and one of their columnists have been receiving some flak in the last two weeks, based on the statement in a recent issue that called Marlon Brando the greatest actor of all time.  They did not say the greatest actor of his generation, or even, arguably the best actor of all time; but instead they simply called him, “the greatest actor of all time.”  Now, presumably, the writer and / or the magazine truly believe this statement to be true.  But I would have to question what criteria they used to reach this decision.  Was this choice based on his body of work, or was it based on one particular performance?  Was it the stage or the  screen?  Or both?  And if Brando is the greatest, then where do you rank Olivier?  Or John Gielgud?  Or Richard Burton?  Or Henry Fonda?  And who has been around long enough to judge some of history’s legendary actors, such as Edwin Booth or James O’Neil or even John Wilkes Booth?

At the same time, should we limit the definition of actor, to only men?  Or could the greatest actor of all time be a woman?  What of Helen Hayes, Bette Davis, Meryl Streep, Sarah Bernhardt, or Katharine Hepburn?

How would you ever compare all these different styles of acting to determine who is or was the best of all time?

The whole thing kind of boggles my mind.  Did some organization or another award Brando this title?  Anyone have an opinion on the subject?

I [ Laurie Beechman was the best narrator and the show itself (based on the recording) was just absolute delightful.  

DR George, I saw that production; a friend from college was the wardrobe mistress and I knew an actor in the show.  Your guess is correct:  it was an absolute delight and Laurie, God bless her, was quite wonderful!

Wow, for some reason it has taken me FOREVER to catch up on all the posts today and yesterday.

Let me join in and say to DR WFO: I'm so happy Joe is home!

DR Emily: when you said it was -11C, you forgot to mention that with windchill this morning it was -25C.

This makes no sense.  On Wed it is supposed to be +6C (43F). And by Friday it is supposed to be in the 50sF.

I just hope this cold front leaves. I want Spring!

To each his own, but I'd NEVER consider Brando as the greatest actor. He has certainly given devastating performances (my mother and father saw Tandy and Brando in STREETCAR on their honeymoon), but I don't find him especially compelling in the last three or four decades, certainly not since the 1950s. Never understood the hosannahs he got for LAST TANGO IN PARIS, and he and Al Pacino should have been in the opposite Oscar categories for THE GODFATHER. Brando was the supporting actor to me; it was Pacino's picture. For me, that was one of the least worthy Oscars ever given (much less refused).

Please refer me to a specific quotation where I said any such thing about the "rape" bromide being what you say I said.

I can recall using it as an example of things that were said to a Navy audience, of which I was a member, at a time when the audience laughed and was not offended BECAUSE AT THAT TIME we were not sensitized to it.

I have never taken the position that the bromide itself was inoffensive...only that in another time and another place, I heard it in a context that was unaware of its insensitivity.  If you took it any other way, I am sorry.

And I apologize if I misinterpreted your original remarks; I also agree that sensitivity and manners can only make the world a better place.

I don't have anything against Brando, but I've also never understood all the "brilliant/genius/best actor EVER" hoo-ha that's always surrounded him, either.

I suspect (just because I'm cynical) that there's a DVD box set of the Compleat Works of Marlon Brando due out soon; that would nicely explain EW's declaration.  

I think that steaming a vegetable is when you make unflattering remarks about its parentage.

Thanks TCB. LOL

Panni:  I think steamed veggies are vastly preferable to cooked veggies because:

*They retain their vitamins and minerals (when vegetables are cooked in water, a lot of the nutrients "escape" into the water)

*They retain their vivid colors and crisp texture (provided they're not oversteamed).

We use a bamboo steamer, which has the added benefit of three levels (so you can steam three different vegetables separately but simultaneously, or, say, steam two veggies and some potstickers, etc.).  Steaming works quite quickly, as well.

An unpopular observation about a Brando performance:

I thought him brilliant in "Mutiny on the Bounty."  I thought his Fletcher Christian very complex, multi-layered and fascinating.  It's one of the screen's great underrated performances.

Add me to the list of those whom do not consider Brando the greatest actor.  I thought what he was paid to be Superman’s father was obscene.

I have never used a bamboo steamer.  I just toss my veggies together in a metal steamer that sits in any pot.  

DRLULU did you watch The Midwestern Hayride?

My parents did.  Is LULU from Cincinnati?

I am steaming an artichoke in an electric steamer.

Only here at haineshisway.com could you have such a sentence.  I am playing my Goldsmith Box Set - very handsome.

Thank you for the steaming info!

And yes, I'd neglected to send health vibes to the wilds of Canada. Feel better, Emily!