A masterpiece of movies, On the Waterfront, came out 70 years ago, and this week the writer Stephen Rebello reveals how the classic film almost did not get made due to a feud between Marlon Brando and director Elia Kazan. Then John Beck reports on foreign diplomats who turn to bootlegging, drug dealing, and more in order to keep the lights on at their consulates. And on the subject of foreign affairs and cloak-and-dagger exploits, Aatish Taseer joins us from Tokyo with an incredible yarn. It’s the story of how, in the 1990s, the Iranian government traded a painting by Willem de Kooning for a priceless copy of an illustrated manuscript—and how the secret buyer of the painting was David Geffen. Listen by clicking Play below. And be sure to subscribe at Apple Podcasts or Spotify so you don’t miss an episode.
Episode 219: How Marlon Brando Almost Did Not Make One of His Masterpieces
Plus: the Iranians and the de Kooning painting; foreign embassies on hard times; and more
