The Speech Marlon Brando Didn't Give on Oscar Night

Dublin Core

Title

The Speech Marlon Brando Didn't Give on Oscar Night

Description

A Los Angeles Times article containing the text of the speech Marlon Brando provided Sacheen Littlefeather to be read upon his refusal of the Academy Award. The speech was not read during the ceremony due to time limitations, but Littlefeather read it to the press after the ceremony and its contents was published in several major newspapers. In the statement, Brando writes that while he does not wish to insult the Academy or its members, he would like to "focus attention" on the mistreatment of Indigenous Americans by the United States and their negative representation by Hollywood. While there have been attempts to redress the situation, Brando states that they are "too faltering and too few so I as a member in this profession do not feel that I can as a citizen of the United States accept an award here tonight." He concludes the statement by thanking the audience for their "kindness and courtesy" to Littlefeather, assuming that she would be well-receieved at the Oscars ceremony.

Creator

Marlon Brando

Source

Los Angeles Times

Publisher

ProQuest Historical Newspapers

Date

March 30, 1973

Contributor

Joella Shearer