THE WILD ONE -- László Benedek, dir

©1953
studio: Sony Pictures
production company: Stanley Kramer Productions
dir: László Benedek
cast: Marlon Brando, Mary Murphy, Robert Keith, Lee Marvin, Jay C. Flippen, Peggy Maley, Hugh Sanders, Ray Teal, John Brown, Will Wright, Robert Osterloh, Robert Brice
screenplay: John Paxton (from the novel The Cyclists' Raid by Frank Rooney)
B&W

Stuck in town following an accident to a Black Rebel gang member, Johnny falls for the Sheriff's daughter, and tries to impress her with a stolen trophy. When a rival gang, The Beetles, ride into town, trouble is just around the corner.

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This was a damned good movie. Brando conveys a lot through his quiet and child-like demeaner. Lee Marvin was a hoot to watch.

There was a definitely a sense of 1950's simplicity to the film and occassionally I chuckled at the thought that these bikers were scary at the time, but I also felt that when more rucus was being raised, there was a well-developed sense of fear at what might happen in the town.

I enjoyed how Brando struggled to impress someone out of his league on the one hand, and tried not to give a damned on the other.

Glad I watched this and would recommend it.