July25, 2004} ‘The Brando Factor arlon Brando's acting career peaked early and devolved fit fullyintoa shadow of ts for ‘mer glory. But Brando, who died July lat age 80, litthe way for generations of intense, uncompromising actors. Here we select his most memorable performances. Ken Fox and Maitland McDonagh ‘A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE (0951) The screen legends born, Brando ‘made his fim debut the year before in ‘The Men,” but this role seared the Amer: icanpsyche. Sweating, bawling and absolutely electrifying, he became a dan {gerous new icon of masculine sexuality, ‘THE WILD ONE (1953) Asked what he \was rebeling against, Brando's leather jacketed biker fariousty replies "Whaddya | 90t2,"thereby summing up anew ‘generation’ defiance andits parents’ worst nightmares JULIUS CAESAR (1953) Many were shocked thatthe symbolof uncouth youth would dare don Marc Antonystoga and utter hisimmortal "Friends, Romans, ‘countrymen... But Brando was shock: ingly good, exuding araw physicality rare in contemporary Shakespeare, (ON THE WATERFRONT (1954) A ‘one-way ticket to Palookaville for every joker who ever mocked Brando's signature lament-"Icoulda been acontendert"= without having seen his visceral, Oscar- winning performance as washed up boxer Terry Malloy. GUYS AND DOLLS (1955) There's {reason you don't think of Brando asa songrand-danceman, but as Damon, Runyon's highrroller Sky Masterson he strikes the perfect balance between ‘sweetness and swagger THE GODFATHER (1972) Jowls stuffed with Kleenex and voice lowered toaweary rasp, Brando's second Oscar- winning turn made us an offer we couldn't refuse. Vito Corleone became the model for motion: picture matfioso for yearsto come. LAST TANGO IN PARIS (1972) Per- haps the most libido-shriveling erotic movie ever made, and certainly the fist inwhich atwo-time Oscar winner got sodown and dirty Brando's monologues are more naked than the sex. ‘SUPERMAN (1978) Brando's appear ance as Superman’ father was litle ‘more thanan overhyped cameo, but his whopping $37 milion fee proved he \was sill hot commodity. The legend was forsale-ifthe price wasright ‘APOCALYPSE NOW (1979) Inamovie seething with craziness, Brando Colonel Kurtzis lunacy made flesh. Morefiesh than anyone expected, so director Fran cis Ford Coppola swaddled himin shad ‘ows-andhhis bald, sweat-beaded head stillsteals every scene he's in ‘THE FRESHMAN (1990) Some ‘groused that this comedic turn cheap: ened his Godfather persona. But there's. something poignant about his willing: Tess to deflate a myth no actor could live upto, nt even Brando. ‘THE ISLAND OF DR. MOREAU (9996) Brando as amad scientstina ‘gauze muumuu, bossing beast-men and tickling the vores in the jungle with his ‘own personal Mini Me dueting on piana. it wouldbe tragic fit werent so bizarre.