Brando sticks to his guns

Marlon Brando on Larry King Live in April 1996


MB - Hollywood is run by Jews; it is owned by Jews, and they should have a greater sensitivity about the issue of - of people who are suffering. Because they've exploited - we have seen the - we have seen the Nigger and Greaseball, we've seen the Chink, we've seen the slit-eyed dangerous Jap, we have seen the wily Filipino, we've seen everything but we never saw the Kike. Because they knew perfectly well, that that is where you draw the wagons around.

LK - When you say - when you say something like that you are playing right in, though, to anti-Semitic people who say the Jews are...

MB - Sure. That's what I'm talking about. You're making my point for me.

LK - Sorry? You're talking about anti-semitism?

MB - No. You are. I'm talking about how Jews in Hollywood treat others in a way they would never allow for their own people.

LK - But what's the point I'm making for you?

MB - That the wagons will get circled and the conversation will not be permitted.

LK - But when you say Jews control Hollywood you're playing into the hands...

MB - Yeah. I'm uninterested in what others may make of it. Nothing to do with me. Meanwhile here we are, nervous that this discussion is taking place.

LK - Yes, well of course. After the suffering of the Jews you have to be sensitive about that... how they...


MB - Yeah, yeah, I get it. I'm not disputing the suffering of Jews. What I'm saying is that you'd think they'd have a heightened sense of other's suffering. You know, because of what they went through. But they don't. They paint them in the broadest of racial epithets. Like I said.

LK - Epithets like Kike?

MB - No Larry. That's the one you'll never hear. That's what I'm saying.

LK - Never hear it? I'm hearing it now. And I'm hearing that Jews control everything. And I'm sure anti-semites are taking great comfort in it. I mean it's exactly what anti-semites would say.

MB - Forget them Larry. Forget anti-semites. I have nothing to do with them and they have nothing to do with me. I told you that. I'm merely pointing out that that's how Hollywood is and that no discussion may be permitted on it. Do you get it?

LK - Well I don't know, Marlon. We're out of time now... but I wonder... you know I wonder at you for saying such things. Honestly I thought you'd know better than to say things that...

MB - No, no, because I will be the first one who will appraise the Jews honestly and say 'Thank God for the Jews'.


Actually Brando didn't stick to his guns. He folded up at the first mention of the anti-semite voodoo talisman. All he actually uttered was the last piss-weak line. Everything in between was imaginary. It was me channelling a more resolute Brando, unfazed by the magic words. Those words only held their power when they were used sparingly. The phrase is thrown about with such abandon now that it's an object of scorn. At this rate it'll end up a badge of honour. Otherwise Brando was right.