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Look on the Career of Marlon Brando
Aired July 02, 2004 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: He was acclaimed as the greatest actor of his generation, Marlon Brando, The Godfather, The Wild One, the one who changed American cinema, has died. He was 80 years old.
Jack Nicholson once said, he gave us our freedom, referring to Brando's legendary method of acting. It led to stunning, unforgettable, explosive performances that lit up the movie screen.
CNN's Lauren Hunter takes a look back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARLON BRANDO, ACTOR: Stella!
LAUREN HUNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marlon Brando's life was remarkable both for his professional triumphs and for his personal tragedies.
BRANDO: I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke.
HUNTER: He was widely recognized as the greatest American actor of his generation, with performances spanning from the 1950s, including "Julius Caesar," to the 1970s, with a controversial but critically acclaimed "Last Tango in Paris," to the 1990s, with "Don Juan De Marco."
BRANDO: There isn't anything that pays you as much money as acting while you're deciding what the hell you're going to do with yourself.
You know they're harping onto you from the start, and not once did you pull the wool over this boy's eyes.
HUNTER: His 1951 screen performance as the tortured young Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's "Streetcar Named Desire" made an indelible impression on audiences and critics alike. That role, and others, created the myth and allure of Brando, the image of a rebel, a dangerous and attractive sex symbol.
BRANDO: You don't understand, I could have had class. I could have been a contender, I could have been somebody.
HUNTER: His inevitable stardom from "Streetcar," and his Oscar- winning performance in "On the Waterfront" three years later put Brando squarely in the public eye, a position with which he never felt comfortable.
BRANDO: One thing that has been very problematic about being an actor and getting some measure of celebrity is the fact that you lose your identity. And everybody calls you instantly Mr. Brando instead of hey you, and then people make up notions, they want your autograph.
HUNTER: In his autobiography, entitled "Brando: Songs my Mother Taught Me," the actor wrote, quote, "I don't think I ever liked being a movie star. No matter what I say or do, people mythologize me."
BRANDO: Ship's company, I'm taking command of this ship.
HUNTER: His uneasiness with stardom and publicity drove Brando away from Hollywood and away from the United States, to live for a time in Tahiti, where he had filmed the remake of "Mutiny on the Bounty."
There, he began a relationship and a family with one of his Tahitian co-stars.
BRANDO: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
HUNTER: As Brando's professional stature continued to grow, he retreated into a personal shell, made evident to the world in his refusal to accept his second Oscar in 1972 for his performance in "The Godfather." Instead, he sent a representation to protest the treatment of Native Americans.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what Marlon Brando has in his heart is that the image of Native Americans in this country of the United States should be changed.
HUNTER: Brando later said he felt like a prisoner to his celebrity-hood.
BRANDO: And the idea of being successful and having a lot of money and having all your dreams come true is completely crazy. I've had so much misery in my life, being famous and wealthy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Total sentence imposed is 10 years in the state prison.
HUNTER: Christian Brando was the oldest of Marlon's nine children from several marriages. He was sentenced in 1991 after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of 26-year-old Dag Drollet, the boyfriend of Christian's half-sister, Cheyenne.
BRANDO: My son died (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HUNTER: Cheyenne remained in Tahiti and refused to testify against Christian. She tried many times to commit suicide, and ultimately hanged herself in 1995 at her mother's home in Tahiti.
At an earlier court hearing for his son, Marlon Brando said he felt responsible for the events leading up to the shooting. BRANDO: I think that perhaps I failed as a father. The tendency always is to blame the other parent, but I'm certain that there were things that I could have done differently had I known better at the time. But I didn't. I did the best I could.
HUNTER: Christian Brando was released from prison in early 1996. Marlon Brando had already seemed to make peace with himself over the tragedies and disappoints in his life.
BRANDO: To regret is useless in life. Hold on to the past. The only moment we have is right now.
HUNTER: Despite his private sadness, Brando's legacy may continue to be measured by his public triumphs, preserved on film.
BRANDO: Had a good trade and made a good living, the police protected you and there were courts of law, and you didn't need a friend like me.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: (OFF-MIKE)
KYRA PHILLIPS: We're having a bit of technical problems there. We will get to "People Magazine's" movie critic, Leah Rozen, in just a second, once we get that hooked up.
Meanwhile, focusing on the 4th, the Independence Day holiday is no picnic for Homeland Security officials. While they say there's no specific threat of an attack timed to the 4th of July, the FBI is warning about possible terrorist activity, and urging police to step up patrols.
It's even listing advice on how to stop possible suicide bombers.
Now, the FBI bulletin notes that al Qaeda often goes after symbolic targets and events, and with that in mind, security will be extra tight at the nation's capital. It's home to one of the biggest and best-known fireworks shows, not to mention, a cluster of American icons.
Our Sean Callebs joins us now live from the National Mall in Washington with a closer look. And it's true, Sean. I've been to that ceremony. It's pretty amazing.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, it's incredibly amazing, and I think that you can guarantee there are going to be tens of thousands of people here on the Mall this 4th of July weekend, not just for the fireworks on Sunday night, but there are a lot of events, beginning with the Folk Life Festival that's going on right now.
There are added security measures. You've talked about that warning that the FBI is sending to all state and local law enforcement agencies around the country. As you pointed out, they are telling them that al Qaeda does find symbolic holidays attractive, but at the same time, they also say that there are operational considerations, not specific time threats, that could motivate terrorists such as al Qaeda. Now, here on the Mall in D.C., they're taking care of the area. They put up a large fence, from the Capitol to the north all the way back past the Washington Monument. There are going to be 19 points of entry, including the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian is very active in coordinating security events here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're sitting in the middle of the Mall, between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. This is the Smithsonian Institution,a s far as we're concerned, an American icon, and have to protect the artifacts - first, the visitors, but the artifacts and the staff that work in these buildings.
CALLEBS: And, Kyra, I think it's important to point out, no specific threat, just the fact that it is a patriotic holiday.
PHILLIPS: All right, Sean, can you hear me OK?
CALLEBS: I can hear you fine
PHILLIPS: I'm sorry, we're having a little - there is a little technical issue today, but I think we're OK.
Now, talking about the security measures and the concerns, now, I understand you have a little bit of tidbit of information, or I'm scared that you might test me on this, but people performing out on the Mall this weekend, and the type of festivities that will be taking place?
CALLEBS: There's going to be security out here. Of course, the 4th of July, the fireworks will be out here. There will be a huge crowd, but there's also a lot of festivities going on that day.
A couple of true and false questions for you, Kyra. Firstly, think about this. The most patriotic day of the year, July 4, will the brand-spanking-new World War II memorial be open July 4, true or false?
PHILLIPS: Well, of course, come on ...
CALLEBS: No, it won't.
PHILLIPS: What?
CALLEBS: It will not be. You know why? The fireworks are adjacent to that area, and they're going to cover it with a large tarp to keep burning embers from either falling on the memorial and harming it, or falling on people.
One more true or false for you - do you think, will it be Peaches and Herb or Clay Aiken performing here - no, that one's too easy.
But will Clay Aiken perform Lee Greenwood's hit, Proud to be an American, true or false?
PHILLIPS: Well, you've got me thinking Peaches and Herb. I'm singing Reunited again. We're flashing back, aren't we, Fredricka? Oh, I don't know, you would assume Lee Greenwood would be singing his patriotic song.
CALLEBS: But it's going to be Clay Aiken singing it, so you can figure that one out. It's 4th of July, have a good red, white and blue holiday.
PHILLIPS: All right, you be safe. Have a good holiday, Sean. Thanks so much.
Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, back now to our top story and the death of Marlon Brando.
Apparently, he never really had to learn how to act. Our Leah Rozen is back with us now from "People Magazine," and I think we've worked out all our audio problems now, Leah.
Well, is that really true? Was it completely effortless fro him to act, and if so, why?
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": No, the magic was that he made it seem effortless. I mean, people who saw him on Broadway and "Streetcar Named Desire" said when he first showed up, you're sort of going, who's this guy who wandered in off the street?
But the reality is he was an adherent of the method school of acting. He had studied acting for a time, and he apparently, at least in the early years, there was certainly an amount of effort and agony that went into creating what looked so easy on a stage.
WHITFIELD: But it really speaks to his commitment to the art form of acting, playing everyone from Don Corleone to Stanley Kowalski. How was he able to really pull that off, these variations of characters, and be so believable?
ROZEN: Well, Brando is the actor of his generation, and you're looking at a career that spans a half-century. I mean, really, there were 50 years of performance, some amazing ones, certainly in the beginning. Then he kind of falls off, comes back with "The Godfather." You got the feeling later in the career - I think he is certainly a case of someone who in some ways frittered away what was this enormous talent.
Some of the latter movies are really not the best - it wasn't like he was challenging himself towards the end.
WHITFIELD: You know, it's interesting. I'd have left you so much of the piece earlier, the obit, and how he really didn't feel that proud of all the things that came with being an actor, in fact, it kind of bothered him quite a bit.
Is that why we ended up seeing such a recluse Marlon Brando for so many years, a man who seemed to be troubled, deeply troubled, for some reason? ROZEN: Well, you always had the feeling that this was a man very conflicted about what he did, and he certainly didn't have that much interest in the movie star trappings. I mean, his feeling was, I think the quote he said, I have it here, "The only thing an actor owes his public is not to bore them."
He didn't feel he owed interviews. He didn't feel he owed, come and tour my house, let me tell you about my romantic life. He didn't want any part of that. And, of course, this was a generational break.
The previous generation of movie stars in the '20s and '30s, it was part of being part of a studio star, was you had to do all that kind of publicity. And Brando was the guy who said no, all I have to do is act.
WHITFIELD: So, it makes you wonder, at 80 years old, did this man die happy, at all, about his legacy?
ROZEN: I'm not answering that one, but you'd have to suspect he was conflicted.
WHITFIELD: This is a man who had nine children. Do we know much about his family life? He was a father, but was he a family man?
ROZEN: Well, clearly, I mean, it was a rather complicated family. It was an extended family. There were any number of mothers of these children. Just from the court cases - and he, himself, said that the great tragedy of his life was he had not been as good a father as he had hoped he would be.
WHITFIELD: Leah Rozen of "People Magazine," thanks for helping us remember Marlon Brando, dead at the age of 80.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Other news across America now begins in Connecticut. That's where doctors say a former basketball star would be dead if not for his great physical condition. Manute Bol, a seven-foot-seven former NBA center was seriously injured in a car accident earlier this week. He was the passenger in a cab when it rolled over, killing the driver. Bol suffered a head injury.
A makeover in Colorado, the mountain resort at the center of the Kobe Bryant case reopened today with a new look and a new number. Among other things, the suite where Bryant allegedly sexually assaulted an employee of the hotel is no longer room 35.
And what would you do with $290 million? Well, that's what millions of people are pondering up as they snap up the tickets in the Mega Millions lottery. The drawing is tonight.
Freedom for hostages. Iraqi insurgents apparently released some of them unharmed. We'll have a live report from Baghdad after the break.
The American economy. It's creating more jobs, but some people say they're the wrong kind of jobs. Details just ahead.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
(WEATHER REPORT)
WHITFIELD: It's been a week of major change in Iraq, the transfer of power, the first court appearance by former President Saddam Hussein, and today, more attacks and the release of some hostages.
Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf joins us with the latest.
Jane?
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Fredricka, these extraordinary images are coming out in little dribs and drabs, and today was one of the most extraordinary - Saddam Hussein shackled, the chains clearly visible around him as he's being led into court. An image that has mesmerized Iraqis, just as it's divided Iraqis as well.
In one mosque, the mosque imam was saying that this was an illegal trial because it was a puppet government, yet most people are glad that Saddam Hussein is being brought to account for what they say are decades of his crimes. As to whether the violence will stop, the answer to that, likely no.
We spoke to General Ricardo Sanchez, Lieutenant General Sanchez, who has been in charge of U.S. forces here for 14 months. He's leaving in a few days, and asked whether Saddam Hussein indeed did have a role any more in the insurgency, he told us that the problem really now was foreign fighters.
LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, COALITION COMMANDER: I think, as we had anticipated, there has in fact been a steady, continued flow. We think the numbers are still small - it's not overwhelming - but this battlefield is showing more and more involvement on the part of terrorists that are striking at the Iraqi people and the coalition.
Despite a rocket attack very close to this hotel this morning, it has been uncharacteristically quiet the past few days, officials say. Indeed, there is even a bit of good news. Three hostages have been released - two Turkish citizens whose companies has apparently pledged not to send Turks here any more to work, and a Pakistani citizen, a truck driver, who was threatened with beheading - all of them freed.
Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: And what about the American Marine? How soon - what's the disposition of him?
ARRAF: We're unclear what's happening with him. It's a very murky situation as to where he's being held, who he's being held by, but that is an ongoing attempt to find him and figure out what his fate might be.
Fredricka? WHITFIELD: Baghdad, thanks very much.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: A deadly quake tops our news world - news, rather, around the world. At least 18 people were killed and 50 injured when an earthquake rattled Turkey. Turkish officials are calling it a moderate quake that struck at 1:30 in the afternoon, local time. Officials say aid operations are underway right now in the remote eastern villages.
Also in Turkey, denying responsibility. A militant Kurdish group said it had nothing to do with a convoy attack that killed a Turkish governor. Five people were killed, 23 others were hurt in this attack, but Turkish police say they have one person in custody, and they do suspect the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK.
In Jakarta, Indonesia, Secretary of State Colin Powell takes time from an Asian security conference to meet privately with his North Korean counterpart. Their discussion focuses on proposals put forth in Beijing last week to end the North's nuclear program. It's the highest-level contact between the two countries in almost two years.
Well, folks, I couldn't make this up if I tried, but believe it or not, the Village People are back. However, it has a brand-new cast.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): They're all waiting for you. Welcome your friends for the E.U. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all the DNC. It's got everything (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
(END VIDEO CLIP)
PHILLIPS: OK, explain.
WHITFIELD: Is there more to this story, please?
PHILLIPS: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a few too many martinis - just kidding - with the rest of the U.S. delegation, taking a little time off to, you know ...
WHITFIELD: A little karaoke time.
PHILLIPS: ... pump up the delegation, I guess you could say. Maybe we can get him to come over to the house and do a little construction on our house.
WHITFIELD: Oh, breaking the ice a little bit. Well, that's one way to do it.
PHILLIPS: ... get a little loose there.
WHITFIELD: Yes, we've always known you've got a good sense of humor, but now we really know for sure. PHILLIPS: Well, it was a milestone that affects the everyday lives of all Americans. Two men, who were part of making history on July 2, 1964, join me to talk about what the Civil Rights Act did and did not accomplish.
WHITFIELD: And for the 4th of July, does cutting carbs mean you can't have a cookout? We'll give you the skinny on having your barbecue side dishes and sticking to your diet.
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
WHITFIELD: Well, even if you're on a diet, you're probably going to do a little splurging this 4th of July weekend. Everyone does. CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer joins us now to tell us to savor - or rather how to savor these yummy things and the side stuff, too.
I mean, you go into the 4th of July, you're not even thinking about diet.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You're not. And it's OK. Every once in a while, you splurge in moderation. But we thought it would be kind of cool just to tell you exactly what you're eating.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: OK, here. Traditional meal, hot dog, potato chips, sides, let's see the count. Hot dog, 15 grams of fat, five carbs, 180 calories. Add that bun, you're adding 20 more grabs of carbs.
WHITFIELD: And nobody wants to eat a hot dog without the bun.
FIRFER: No.
Potato salad, 12 grams of fat, 210 calories, 23 carbs.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh.
FIRFER: We know that there's a lot of carbs in potato salad.
Cole slaw, 12 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs.
All right, baked beans, your favorite.
WHITFIELD: My favorite.
FIRFER: Good on the fat. Half a gram of fat per serving, and that's about a serving side - 130 calories. Twenty six grams of carbs. Kind of high there.
Potato chips, 12, we counted them out on our plate here. Ten grams of fat, 115 calories ...
WHITFIELD: Twelve chips?
FIRFER: Yes - 14 carbs. How many people eat just 12 potato chips?
This whole plate right here, 51 grams of fat, almost your entire daily allowance ...
WHITFIELD: Yes, this one, right?
FIRFER: Nine-hundred-fifty calories, 104 grams of carbs.
WHITFIELD: Wow, that's frightening.
FIRFER: And then if you got some ketchup ...
WHITFIELD: You just need to trim it up. OK, some of that stuff - you can indulge in the hot dog, but maybe it means you've got to let some of this stuff go.
FIRFER: Right, right.
WHITFIELD: So, for example, you have a lower fat, lower carb ...
FIRFER: You don't have to just throw chicken or fish on the grill. We found barbecue - you really want barbecue, that taste?
These barbecue sandwiches, only two grams of fat, 90 calories, 13 grams of carbs. So it's a good alternative if you still want that flavor ...
WHITFIELD: OK.
FIRFER: But you're going to add the bun, another 20 grams of carbs.
WHITFIELD: Darn bun.
FIRFER: Remember, this is one day.
This is broccoli slaw. It has no fat, 25 calories, only five grams of carbs.
Now, it doesn't sound like ...
WHITFIELD: Now, I've never even heard of broccoli slaw.
FIRFER: If you put fat-free dressing on it, it's like cole slaw, without the mayonnaise?
WHITFIELD: Yes? OK.
FIRFER: Try it, you'll like it.
WHITFIELD: I'll check it out.
FIRFER: Baked chips instead of regular chips, 3.5 grams of fat, still have the carbs in there, 21 grams of carbs, but a good alternative. This whole plate here, seven grams of fat total, 375 calories ... WHITFIELD: OK, so with that plate, you can still have room for dessert.
FIRFER: Absolutely, but not maybe the apple pie, at 13 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs and strawberry cheesecake, 18 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbs, but ...
WHITFIELD: So what can you have?
FIRFER: OK, everyone says, oh, fruit, it's good. Berries are in season, good antioxidants ...
WHITFIELD: Yes?
FIRFER: I need more than just berries, I don't know about you.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: The parfait is only two grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, 90 calories, and you still feel like you're eating that dessert. Creamy, it's satiating, it's good.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: Want to talk about liquor real quick?
WHITFIELD: OK, yes, because I know that's going to be high calories, all that sugar.
FIRFER: That's right. And I saw Kyra eying that liquor before.
WHITFIELD: She's got her name on certain products over here, already.
FIRFER: None of it has fat, but they have carbs and calories, and, remember, sugar. For instance, the hard lemonade has 38 grams of carbs, 220 calories. The vodka drink, 22 grams of carbs, and the beer, 11.5 grams of carbs. There's light beers, low-carb beers, but remember, there's still alcohol in it all.
But, you know what, you made the greatest point, moderation? So, it's a day of - it's a holiday. Have fun, don't feel like you have to back away from the barbecue completely.
WHITFIELD: But you don't have to go crazy and overindulge either.
FIRFER: Yes. But now you know, when you take a bite of that hot dog ...
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's depressing. All right, Holly Firfer, thanks very much.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Going to pass an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) water bottle, could you just float this? Thank you.
(MARKET UPDATE)
(COMMERCIAL BREAK)
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Aired July 2, 2004 - 13:00 ET
THIS IS A RUSH TRANSCRIPT. THIS COPY MAY NOT BE IN ITS FINAL FORM AND MAY BE UPDATED.
KYRA PHILLIPS, CNN ANCHOR: He was acclaimed as the greatest actor of his generation, Marlon Brando, The Godfather, The Wild One, the one who changed American cinema, has died. He was 80 years old.
Jack Nicholson once said, he gave us our freedom, referring to Brando's legendary method of acting. It led to stunning, unforgettable, explosive performances that lit up the movie screen.
CNN's Lauren Hunter takes a look back.
(BEGIN VIDEO CLIP)
MARLON BRANDO, ACTOR: Stella!
LAUREN HUNTER, CNN CORRESPONDENT (voice-over): Marlon Brando's life was remarkable both for his professional triumphs and for his personal tragedies.
BRANDO: I speak not to disprove what Brutus spoke.
HUNTER: He was widely recognized as the greatest American actor of his generation, with performances spanning from the 1950s, including "Julius Caesar," to the 1970s, with a controversial but critically acclaimed "Last Tango in Paris," to the 1990s, with "Don Juan De Marco."
BRANDO: There isn't anything that pays you as much money as acting while you're deciding what the hell you're going to do with yourself.
You know they're harping onto you from the start, and not once did you pull the wool over this boy's eyes.
HUNTER: His 1951 screen performance as the tortured young Stanley Kowalski in Tennessee Williams's "Streetcar Named Desire" made an indelible impression on audiences and critics alike. That role, and others, created the myth and allure of Brando, the image of a rebel, a dangerous and attractive sex symbol.
BRANDO: You don't understand, I could have had class. I could have been a contender, I could have been somebody.
HUNTER: His inevitable stardom from "Streetcar," and his Oscar- winning performance in "On the Waterfront" three years later put Brando squarely in the public eye, a position with which he never felt comfortable.
BRANDO: One thing that has been very problematic about being an actor and getting some measure of celebrity is the fact that you lose your identity. And everybody calls you instantly Mr. Brando instead of hey you, and then people make up notions, they want your autograph.
HUNTER: In his autobiography, entitled "Brando: Songs my Mother Taught Me," the actor wrote, quote, "I don't think I ever liked being a movie star. No matter what I say or do, people mythologize me."
BRANDO: Ship's company, I'm taking command of this ship.
HUNTER: His uneasiness with stardom and publicity drove Brando away from Hollywood and away from the United States, to live for a time in Tahiti, where he had filmed the remake of "Mutiny on the Bounty."
There, he began a relationship and a family with one of his Tahitian co-stars.
BRANDO: I'm going to make him an offer he can't refuse.
HUNTER: As Brando's professional stature continued to grow, he retreated into a personal shell, made evident to the world in his refusal to accept his second Oscar in 1972 for his performance in "The Godfather." Instead, he sent a representation to protest the treatment of Native Americans.
UNIDENTIFIED FEMALE: And what Marlon Brando has in his heart is that the image of Native Americans in this country of the United States should be changed.
HUNTER: Brando later said he felt like a prisoner to his celebrity-hood.
BRANDO: And the idea of being successful and having a lot of money and having all your dreams come true is completely crazy. I've had so much misery in my life, being famous and wealthy.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Total sentence imposed is 10 years in the state prison.
HUNTER: Christian Brando was the oldest of Marlon's nine children from several marriages. He was sentenced in 1991 after pleading guilty to manslaughter in the shooting death of 26-year-old Dag Drollet, the boyfriend of Christian's half-sister, Cheyenne.
BRANDO: My son died (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
HUNTER: Cheyenne remained in Tahiti and refused to testify against Christian. She tried many times to commit suicide, and ultimately hanged herself in 1995 at her mother's home in Tahiti.
At an earlier court hearing for his son, Marlon Brando said he felt responsible for the events leading up to the shooting. BRANDO: I think that perhaps I failed as a father. The tendency always is to blame the other parent, but I'm certain that there were things that I could have done differently had I known better at the time. But I didn't. I did the best I could.
HUNTER: Christian Brando was released from prison in early 1996. Marlon Brando had already seemed to make peace with himself over the tragedies and disappoints in his life.
BRANDO: To regret is useless in life. Hold on to the past. The only moment we have is right now.
HUNTER: Despite his private sadness, Brando's legacy may continue to be measured by his public triumphs, preserved on film.
BRANDO: Had a good trade and made a good living, the police protected you and there were courts of law, and you didn't need a friend like me.
FREDRICKA WHITFIELD, CNN ANCHOR: (OFF-MIKE)
KYRA PHILLIPS: We're having a bit of technical problems there. We will get to "People Magazine's" movie critic, Leah Rozen, in just a second, once we get that hooked up.
Meanwhile, focusing on the 4th, the Independence Day holiday is no picnic for Homeland Security officials. While they say there's no specific threat of an attack timed to the 4th of July, the FBI is warning about possible terrorist activity, and urging police to step up patrols.
It's even listing advice on how to stop possible suicide bombers.
Now, the FBI bulletin notes that al Qaeda often goes after symbolic targets and events, and with that in mind, security will be extra tight at the nation's capital. It's home to one of the biggest and best-known fireworks shows, not to mention, a cluster of American icons.
Our Sean Callebs joins us now live from the National Mall in Washington with a closer look. And it's true, Sean. I've been to that ceremony. It's pretty amazing.
SEAN CALLEBS, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Oh, it's incredibly amazing, and I think that you can guarantee there are going to be tens of thousands of people here on the Mall this 4th of July weekend, not just for the fireworks on Sunday night, but there are a lot of events, beginning with the Folk Life Festival that's going on right now.
There are added security measures. You've talked about that warning that the FBI is sending to all state and local law enforcement agencies around the country. As you pointed out, they are telling them that al Qaeda does find symbolic holidays attractive, but at the same time, they also say that there are operational considerations, not specific time threats, that could motivate terrorists such as al Qaeda. Now, here on the Mall in D.C., they're taking care of the area. They put up a large fence, from the Capitol to the north all the way back past the Washington Monument. There are going to be 19 points of entry, including the Smithsonian. The Smithsonian is very active in coordinating security events here.
UNIDENTIFIED MALE: We're sitting in the middle of the Mall, between the Capitol and the Washington Monument. This is the Smithsonian Institution,a s far as we're concerned, an American icon, and have to protect the artifacts - first, the visitors, but the artifacts and the staff that work in these buildings.
CALLEBS: And, Kyra, I think it's important to point out, no specific threat, just the fact that it is a patriotic holiday.
PHILLIPS: All right, Sean, can you hear me OK?
CALLEBS: I can hear you fine
PHILLIPS: I'm sorry, we're having a little - there is a little technical issue today, but I think we're OK.
Now, talking about the security measures and the concerns, now, I understand you have a little bit of tidbit of information, or I'm scared that you might test me on this, but people performing out on the Mall this weekend, and the type of festivities that will be taking place?
CALLEBS: There's going to be security out here. Of course, the 4th of July, the fireworks will be out here. There will be a huge crowd, but there's also a lot of festivities going on that day.
A couple of true and false questions for you, Kyra. Firstly, think about this. The most patriotic day of the year, July 4, will the brand-spanking-new World War II memorial be open July 4, true or false?
PHILLIPS: Well, of course, come on ...
CALLEBS: No, it won't.
PHILLIPS: What?
CALLEBS: It will not be. You know why? The fireworks are adjacent to that area, and they're going to cover it with a large tarp to keep burning embers from either falling on the memorial and harming it, or falling on people.
One more true or false for you - do you think, will it be Peaches and Herb or Clay Aiken performing here - no, that one's too easy.
But will Clay Aiken perform Lee Greenwood's hit, Proud to be an American, true or false?
PHILLIPS: Well, you've got me thinking Peaches and Herb. I'm singing Reunited again. We're flashing back, aren't we, Fredricka? Oh, I don't know, you would assume Lee Greenwood would be singing his patriotic song.
CALLEBS: But it's going to be Clay Aiken singing it, so you can figure that one out. It's 4th of July, have a good red, white and blue holiday.
PHILLIPS: All right, you be safe. Have a good holiday, Sean. Thanks so much.
Fred.
WHITFIELD: All right, back now to our top story and the death of Marlon Brando.
Apparently, he never really had to learn how to act. Our Leah Rozen is back with us now from "People Magazine," and I think we've worked out all our audio problems now, Leah.
Well, is that really true? Was it completely effortless fro him to act, and if so, why?
LEAH ROZEN, "PEOPLE MAGAZINE": No, the magic was that he made it seem effortless. I mean, people who saw him on Broadway and "Streetcar Named Desire" said when he first showed up, you're sort of going, who's this guy who wandered in off the street?
But the reality is he was an adherent of the method school of acting. He had studied acting for a time, and he apparently, at least in the early years, there was certainly an amount of effort and agony that went into creating what looked so easy on a stage.
WHITFIELD: But it really speaks to his commitment to the art form of acting, playing everyone from Don Corleone to Stanley Kowalski. How was he able to really pull that off, these variations of characters, and be so believable?
ROZEN: Well, Brando is the actor of his generation, and you're looking at a career that spans a half-century. I mean, really, there were 50 years of performance, some amazing ones, certainly in the beginning. Then he kind of falls off, comes back with "The Godfather." You got the feeling later in the career - I think he is certainly a case of someone who in some ways frittered away what was this enormous talent.
Some of the latter movies are really not the best - it wasn't like he was challenging himself towards the end.
WHITFIELD: You know, it's interesting. I'd have left you so much of the piece earlier, the obit, and how he really didn't feel that proud of all the things that came with being an actor, in fact, it kind of bothered him quite a bit.
Is that why we ended up seeing such a recluse Marlon Brando for so many years, a man who seemed to be troubled, deeply troubled, for some reason? ROZEN: Well, you always had the feeling that this was a man very conflicted about what he did, and he certainly didn't have that much interest in the movie star trappings. I mean, his feeling was, I think the quote he said, I have it here, "The only thing an actor owes his public is not to bore them."
He didn't feel he owed interviews. He didn't feel he owed, come and tour my house, let me tell you about my romantic life. He didn't want any part of that. And, of course, this was a generational break.
The previous generation of movie stars in the '20s and '30s, it was part of being part of a studio star, was you had to do all that kind of publicity. And Brando was the guy who said no, all I have to do is act.
WHITFIELD: So, it makes you wonder, at 80 years old, did this man die happy, at all, about his legacy?
ROZEN: I'm not answering that one, but you'd have to suspect he was conflicted.
WHITFIELD: This is a man who had nine children. Do we know much about his family life? He was a father, but was he a family man?
ROZEN: Well, clearly, I mean, it was a rather complicated family. It was an extended family. There were any number of mothers of these children. Just from the court cases - and he, himself, said that the great tragedy of his life was he had not been as good a father as he had hoped he would be.
WHITFIELD: Leah Rozen of "People Magazine," thanks for helping us remember Marlon Brando, dead at the age of 80.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Other news across America now begins in Connecticut. That's where doctors say a former basketball star would be dead if not for his great physical condition. Manute Bol, a seven-foot-seven former NBA center was seriously injured in a car accident earlier this week. He was the passenger in a cab when it rolled over, killing the driver. Bol suffered a head injury.
A makeover in Colorado, the mountain resort at the center of the Kobe Bryant case reopened today with a new look and a new number. Among other things, the suite where Bryant allegedly sexually assaulted an employee of the hotel is no longer room 35.
And what would you do with $290 million? Well, that's what millions of people are pondering up as they snap up the tickets in the Mega Millions lottery. The drawing is tonight.
Freedom for hostages. Iraqi insurgents apparently released some of them unharmed. We'll have a live report from Baghdad after the break.
The American economy. It's creating more jobs, but some people say they're the wrong kind of jobs. Details just ahead.
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WHITFIELD: It's been a week of major change in Iraq, the transfer of power, the first court appearance by former President Saddam Hussein, and today, more attacks and the release of some hostages.
Baghdad Bureau Chief Jane Arraf joins us with the latest.
Jane?
JANE ARRAF, CNN BAGHDAD BUREAU CHIEF: Fredricka, these extraordinary images are coming out in little dribs and drabs, and today was one of the most extraordinary - Saddam Hussein shackled, the chains clearly visible around him as he's being led into court. An image that has mesmerized Iraqis, just as it's divided Iraqis as well.
In one mosque, the mosque imam was saying that this was an illegal trial because it was a puppet government, yet most people are glad that Saddam Hussein is being brought to account for what they say are decades of his crimes. As to whether the violence will stop, the answer to that, likely no.
We spoke to General Ricardo Sanchez, Lieutenant General Sanchez, who has been in charge of U.S. forces here for 14 months. He's leaving in a few days, and asked whether Saddam Hussein indeed did have a role any more in the insurgency, he told us that the problem really now was foreign fighters.
LT. GEN. RICARDO SANCHEZ, COALITION COMMANDER: I think, as we had anticipated, there has in fact been a steady, continued flow. We think the numbers are still small - it's not overwhelming - but this battlefield is showing more and more involvement on the part of terrorists that are striking at the Iraqi people and the coalition.
Despite a rocket attack very close to this hotel this morning, it has been uncharacteristically quiet the past few days, officials say. Indeed, there is even a bit of good news. Three hostages have been released - two Turkish citizens whose companies has apparently pledged not to send Turks here any more to work, and a Pakistani citizen, a truck driver, who was threatened with beheading - all of them freed.
Fredricka?
WHITFIELD: And what about the American Marine? How soon - what's the disposition of him?
ARRAF: We're unclear what's happening with him. It's a very murky situation as to where he's being held, who he's being held by, but that is an ongoing attempt to find him and figure out what his fate might be.
Fredricka? WHITFIELD: Baghdad, thanks very much.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: A deadly quake tops our news world - news, rather, around the world. At least 18 people were killed and 50 injured when an earthquake rattled Turkey. Turkish officials are calling it a moderate quake that struck at 1:30 in the afternoon, local time. Officials say aid operations are underway right now in the remote eastern villages.
Also in Turkey, denying responsibility. A militant Kurdish group said it had nothing to do with a convoy attack that killed a Turkish governor. Five people were killed, 23 others were hurt in this attack, but Turkish police say they have one person in custody, and they do suspect the Kurdistan Workers' Party or PKK.
In Jakarta, Indonesia, Secretary of State Colin Powell takes time from an Asian security conference to meet privately with his North Korean counterpart. Their discussion focuses on proposals put forth in Beijing last week to end the North's nuclear program. It's the highest-level contact between the two countries in almost two years.
Well, folks, I couldn't make this up if I tried, but believe it or not, the Village People are back. However, it has a brand-new cast.
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UNIDENTIFIED MALE (singing): They're all waiting for you. Welcome your friends for the E.U. (UNINTELLIGIBLE) all the DNC. It's got everything (UNINTELLIGIBLE).
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PHILLIPS: OK, explain.
WHITFIELD: Is there more to this story, please?
PHILLIPS: U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell, a few too many martinis - just kidding - with the rest of the U.S. delegation, taking a little time off to, you know ...
WHITFIELD: A little karaoke time.
PHILLIPS: ... pump up the delegation, I guess you could say. Maybe we can get him to come over to the house and do a little construction on our house.
WHITFIELD: Oh, breaking the ice a little bit. Well, that's one way to do it.
PHILLIPS: ... get a little loose there.
WHITFIELD: Yes, we've always known you've got a good sense of humor, but now we really know for sure. PHILLIPS: Well, it was a milestone that affects the everyday lives of all Americans. Two men, who were part of making history on July 2, 1964, join me to talk about what the Civil Rights Act did and did not accomplish.
WHITFIELD: And for the 4th of July, does cutting carbs mean you can't have a cookout? We'll give you the skinny on having your barbecue side dishes and sticking to your diet.
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WHITFIELD: Well, even if you're on a diet, you're probably going to do a little splurging this 4th of July weekend. Everyone does. CNN medical correspondent Holly Firfer joins us now to tell us to savor - or rather how to savor these yummy things and the side stuff, too.
I mean, you go into the 4th of July, you're not even thinking about diet.
HOLLY FIRFER, CNN MEDICAL CORRESPONDENT: You're not. And it's OK. Every once in a while, you splurge in moderation. But we thought it would be kind of cool just to tell you exactly what you're eating.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: OK, here. Traditional meal, hot dog, potato chips, sides, let's see the count. Hot dog, 15 grams of fat, five carbs, 180 calories. Add that bun, you're adding 20 more grabs of carbs.
WHITFIELD: And nobody wants to eat a hot dog without the bun.
FIRFER: No.
Potato salad, 12 grams of fat, 210 calories, 23 carbs.
WHITFIELD: Oh my gosh.
FIRFER: We know that there's a lot of carbs in potato salad.
Cole slaw, 12 grams of fat, 15 grams of carbs.
All right, baked beans, your favorite.
WHITFIELD: My favorite.
FIRFER: Good on the fat. Half a gram of fat per serving, and that's about a serving side - 130 calories. Twenty six grams of carbs. Kind of high there.
Potato chips, 12, we counted them out on our plate here. Ten grams of fat, 115 calories ...
WHITFIELD: Twelve chips?
FIRFER: Yes - 14 carbs. How many people eat just 12 potato chips?
This whole plate right here, 51 grams of fat, almost your entire daily allowance ...
WHITFIELD: Yes, this one, right?
FIRFER: Nine-hundred-fifty calories, 104 grams of carbs.
WHITFIELD: Wow, that's frightening.
FIRFER: And then if you got some ketchup ...
WHITFIELD: You just need to trim it up. OK, some of that stuff - you can indulge in the hot dog, but maybe it means you've got to let some of this stuff go.
FIRFER: Right, right.
WHITFIELD: So, for example, you have a lower fat, lower carb ...
FIRFER: You don't have to just throw chicken or fish on the grill. We found barbecue - you really want barbecue, that taste?
These barbecue sandwiches, only two grams of fat, 90 calories, 13 grams of carbs. So it's a good alternative if you still want that flavor ...
WHITFIELD: OK.
FIRFER: But you're going to add the bun, another 20 grams of carbs.
WHITFIELD: Darn bun.
FIRFER: Remember, this is one day.
This is broccoli slaw. It has no fat, 25 calories, only five grams of carbs.
Now, it doesn't sound like ...
WHITFIELD: Now, I've never even heard of broccoli slaw.
FIRFER: If you put fat-free dressing on it, it's like cole slaw, without the mayonnaise?
WHITFIELD: Yes? OK.
FIRFER: Try it, you'll like it.
WHITFIELD: I'll check it out.
FIRFER: Baked chips instead of regular chips, 3.5 grams of fat, still have the carbs in there, 21 grams of carbs, but a good alternative. This whole plate here, seven grams of fat total, 375 calories ... WHITFIELD: OK, so with that plate, you can still have room for dessert.
FIRFER: Absolutely, but not maybe the apple pie, at 13 grams of fat, 33 grams of carbs and strawberry cheesecake, 18 grams of fat, 25 grams of carbs, but ...
WHITFIELD: So what can you have?
FIRFER: OK, everyone says, oh, fruit, it's good. Berries are in season, good antioxidants ...
WHITFIELD: Yes?
FIRFER: I need more than just berries, I don't know about you.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: The parfait is only two grams of fat, 18 grams of carbs, 90 calories, and you still feel like you're eating that dessert. Creamy, it's satiating, it's good.
WHITFIELD: Yes.
FIRFER: Want to talk about liquor real quick?
WHITFIELD: OK, yes, because I know that's going to be high calories, all that sugar.
FIRFER: That's right. And I saw Kyra eying that liquor before.
WHITFIELD: She's got her name on certain products over here, already.
FIRFER: None of it has fat, but they have carbs and calories, and, remember, sugar. For instance, the hard lemonade has 38 grams of carbs, 220 calories. The vodka drink, 22 grams of carbs, and the beer, 11.5 grams of carbs. There's light beers, low-carb beers, but remember, there's still alcohol in it all.
But, you know what, you made the greatest point, moderation? So, it's a day of - it's a holiday. Have fun, don't feel like you have to back away from the barbecue completely.
WHITFIELD: But you don't have to go crazy and overindulge either.
FIRFER: Yes. But now you know, when you take a bite of that hot dog ...
WHITFIELD: Oh, that's depressing. All right, Holly Firfer, thanks very much.
Kyra?
PHILLIPS: Going to pass an (UNINTELLIGIBLE) water bottle, could you just float this? Thank you.
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