The Wild One is a 1953 American crime film directed by László Benedek and produced by Stanley Kramer. The picture is most noted for the character of Johnny Strabler, portrayed by Marlon Brando, whose persona became a cultural icon of the 1950s. The Wild One is considered to be the original outlaw biker film, and the first to examine American outlaw motorcycle gang violence. The supporting cast features Lee Marvin as Chino, truculent leader of the motorcycle gang "The Beetles".
Theatrical release poster
Replica of Marlon Brando's 1950 6T Triumph Thunderbird with publicity stills from the film
Madame Tussauds waxwork exhibit of Marlon Brando in The Wild One, albeit with a later 1957/8 model Triumph Thunderbird
Stanley Earl Kramer was an American film director and producer, responsible for making many of Hollywood's most famous "message films" and a liberal movie icon. As an independent producer and director, he brought attention to topical social issues that most studios avoided. Among the subjects covered in his films were racism, nuclear war, greed, creationism vs. evolution, and the causes and effects of fascism. His other films included High Noon, The Caine Mutiny, and Ship of Fools (1965).
Kramer in 1955
Stanley Kramer receives an award at the 1960 Berlin Film Festival for Inherit the Wind.