THE WILD ONE (1953) ** Marlon Brando is the most morose of the relatively non-intimidating big-band-jazz-on-the-jukebox bikers. He delivers the best of his lines with something entertaining that isn't conviction. His gang (the Black Rebel Motorcycle Club) leaves half open beers on the bar, he runs from businessmen, they say that it's based on a true story. The tone is set in the opening minutes when the badass bikers sway on motorcycles that obviously aren't actually going anywhere in front of a wall with a film of a road on it. The shot of Brando riding his bike with a stolen second-place trophy on the front is great. Lee Marvin is tremendous as the drunken, philosophical rival, and as in his other great roles he's soon awaking in jail with a hangover. I understand that this was an important film in its day, what I don't understand is why they so desperately needed a wakeup call regarding societal hypocrisy.
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