Brando looked to sister as his acting inspiration
lthough the Actors Studio, formed by theatre legends Elia Kazan, Cheryl Crawford and Robert Lewis, would become known as one of the great training institutions for the stage, when siblings Jocelyn and Marlon Brando began there in 1947 it was just starting out. The brother and sister thespians were also just starting out. Both had grown up with the benefit of the tutelage of their mother Dodie Brando (nee Pennebaker) who ran a community theatre group in Omaha.
Jocelyn, four years older than Marlon, had made her Broadway debut in 1942 in The First Crocus, which had flopped, but undeterred she continued acting in offBroadway shows and dabbling in film and TV.
Marlon had also made it to Broadway, in I Remember Mama at the Music Box theatre in 1944. Just months after signing up for the Actors Studio, he was a star after appearing in Tennessee Williams’ play A Streetcar Named Desire, which opened in December 1947.
A few months later, in February 1948, Jocelyn was in a hit show, playing a nurse opposite Henry Fonda in Mr Roberts. Both seemed destined for big things. Congratulations, But Jocelyn would Townsville often voters, live in the you shadow have given of her the more green famous light to our brother. grubby underworld car thieves/house breakers/muggers While Marlon is etc. credited to carry with on being as one usual! of As the is greatest evidenced actors by the of all stories time, on Jocelyn pages 4 never and 5 of really the TB reached 17/11. his Again, lofty heights. well done Yet (not). she TH, was 4818 also a gifted actor who studied with the greats, did much of her best work on stage, but also appeared in classic films such as The Big Heat and kitsch classic Mommie Dearest, and TV shows Wagon Train, Alfred Hitchcock Presents and Dallas.
She was born 101 years ago on November 18, 1919, in San Francisco, the That oldest does of three it, not children buying any born to
Marlon Brando snr, a under Konstantin Stanislavski. It must film studio executive, have served her well because in 1942
Re: the story and in the his Bulletin wife, actor about a car being she made damaged her at Broadway Vincent shopping debut, centre. I don’t Dorothy condone “Dodie” what happened, but unfortunately it would not surprise in Arnold me Sungaard’s if it was over someone’s Brando. lack of parking ability. I shop The there First regularly, Crocus, which and have closed seen after cars parked The sideways family later taking moved up two car spaces. only five Also performances. some park so close it is almost to a farm impossible in Illinois to open and your then door. Some people Marlon need came a refresher to join her on parking. and Omaha, Nebraska, where Jocelyn’s Frances, who was studying art, in New sister Frances was born in 1922 and her York in 1944 and she introduced him to brother Marlon jnr was born in 1924. Adler. He later credited this with
Jocelyn’s father was a heavy drinker making his career. They joined the and often absent from home because of Actors Studio together in 1947 and his work. Dodie, who ran a local appeared in the TV series Actor’s theatre group, also became an Studio, which put plays live to air. alcoholic. Streetcar brought Marlon fame on
Marlon snr and Dodie separated in stage, but it was his appearance in the 1935, and the family went to live with 1951 film version that made him a Dodie’s mother in California. They major star. But despite enjoying later reconciled and joined AA but if success in Mr Roberts in 1948, Jocelyn Dodie’s products parenting that have skills had their were names sullied by seemed to struggle. She appeared in her changed battle because with booze, they she might imparted offend plays that flopped at the box office and other someone, gifts somewhere. to her children. I didn’t Jocelyn even was also ostracised after signing the began know chico acting, meant under boy Dodie’s or kid direction, in Spanish 1950 Stockholm Peace Petition, which in until community Nestle pushed theatre it in in my Omaha, face. was denounced by Senator Joe acting Someone, with somewhere family friend will Henry be offended Fonda. Mccarthy Best of luck, and others Todd, you as communist. have a big by She something left home if they’re to study determined acting in job She ahead made of you her as film Poor debut Greenie in the got 1953 us New enough. York This under is becoming Stella Adler, ridiculous. a pioneer war to 2 film GFS, China we won Venture 1. And what and then do they of AGS, “method HERMIT acting” PK who had studied seemed do? Get rid to have of him. a breakthrough I truly wish you luck
Jocelyn Brando with brother Marlon on the set of The Ugly
American; and (inset) Jocelyn in
The Big Heat. as I’m a Cowboys member, go to every home game. Seems like you are on the right track. BARB T, MT LOUISA playing Glen Ford’s wife in the Fritz Lang film The Big Heat that same year.
But it never translated to movie stardom. Apart from raising her profile briefly by appearing as the love interest for western star Randolph Scott in the 1955 film Ten Wanted Men, she spent much of the 1950s to 1970s doing guest spots on TV series, including a twoyear role in the TV soap Love Of Life in 1966-67 and four episodes of the hit series Dallas in 1979. Over that time she Scott also appeared Stewart was in two given films the with wrong Marlon, portfolio The by Anna Ugly P. American He has done in 1963 such a and good The job Chase of overseeing in 1966. the rise in car theft Her that last he stage should appearance have been was made in a 1972 Minister revival for Crime of Mourning Development. Becomes Electra, ARJAY 4818 which had great reviews but failed Labor to draw has been huge audiences. re-elected, Her so career nothing seemed will change to wind regarding down in the crime ’80s. in Townsville. Mommie Dearest Why haven’t in 1981 victims was her last of crime film role sued and this the incompetent low-budget telemovie government Starflight for its her failure last TV to lock appearance away repeat in offenders? 1983. The amount She retired should from include acting replacement to run a book costs shop, for vehicles write poetry and house and locks occasionally etc., plus an show amount support for trauma. for her brother. BILL, WULGURU She died in 2005.