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Los Angeles Times Valley Edition | Glendale News-Press | 2004 July 10
Rebel, not without a cause
BY PATRICK AZADIAN
This the first of two parts
In April, I finally saw "On the Waterfront," featuring Marlon Brando, on the silver screen. I was thankful to the Alex Film Society for this unique opportunity. In my excitement, I joined the society, and as if "On the Waterfront" was not enough of a reward, I was gifted a DVD of another Brando movie, "Sayonara," for becoming a member.
In "Sayonara," Brando stars as Maj. Lloyd Gruver; it is a tale of an American stationed in Kobe, Japan, during the Korean War. At the time, the military regulations forbade marriages between American troops and Japanese women. Gruver initially supported the military's regulations but eventually falls in love with a local showgirl, named Hana-ogi. By the end of the movie, Gruver is in direct conflict with the military's regulations as he proposes to his Japanese darling.
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August of 1953 was a particularly warm summer month in Glendale. The U.S., North Korea and China had just agreed to end the Korean War. The American troops were gradually making their way home to scenes far less jubilant than the ones their compatriots encountered after World War II.
Maj. Lloyd Gruver and his bride, Hana-ogi, arrived at the Glendale Greyhound station at 400 Cerritos Ave. Gruver's buddy, George, was awaiting them at curbside. George had a healthy dose of envy for Gruver's ability to serve his country. George had flat feet; the military examiners had rejected him. But he was determined to pay his dues by helping the Gruvers settle into their new home in Glendale.
George spotted Gruver carrying two pieces of large luggage. He darted away from his 1952 white Oldsmobile Super 88 and greeted Gruver in a manner reserved for Russian party officials from the Caucasus. The two men embraced for a few seconds before George smacked Gruver's cheeks with his trademark kisses. Years of service overseas, and Gruver still had not gotten used to the idea of being kissed by a male friend.
"Welcome home, Gruvers."
"Thank you for picking us up, George."
"My pleasure; that's the least I could do. Sorry about the weather; it is unusually hot."
"Not too bad. Oh, George, this is my wife, Hana-ogi."
"Nice to meet you. You are even more beautiful than Gruver had described."
"Thank you, you are kind."
"Let me take those," George pleads as he bends forward and extends his arms to take charge of the luggage.
"That's OK, George. I got it."
"Let me have them, if you don't want me to knock you around, right here in front of your wife!"
"OK, big guy. Take 'em away."
George lifts the luggage as if they were filled with feathers, and swiftly places them in the trunk of his Olds coupe. He runs over to the passenger side and opens the door. He pushes the seat backing forward to make way for Gruver to sit in the back.
"No, no, I sit in back. Gruver sit in front," Hana-ogi exclaims.
"What! That big lug in the front? Impossible!"
"George, the chances of Hana accepting to sit in the front are as good as North Koreans surrendering to the South, sporting a smile."
"OK, Hana-ogi. Go ahead."
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George shifts his Olds into drive and proceeds to make a U-turn heading north to Kenwood Drive.
"Nice wheels, George."
"Thanks, finally I got something to show for after working at Eagleson's for so long."
"You still work there? Do the guys still give you a hard time for your last name?"
"Yeah, every once in a while they try to get under my skin. It's worse when I make the salesman of the month."
"Well, next time they call you a 'starving Armenian' or a 'Fresno Indian,' let me know. I will need some physical exercise after this war."
"Naah, it's not a big deal."
"You can always shorten your name. All the actors in Hollywood are doin' it. 'Kalebdjian' can become 'Caleb' with a 'C.' 'George Caleb.' "
"First of all, if you still haven't noticed, we are going to live in Glendale, not Hollywood. Second, I am not so sure how my parents would feel about that. They didn't flee persecution to voluntarily give up their family name."
"I am just pulling your leg. I am just hoping you can make us some Turkish coffee once we get home."
"Turkish?! Haven't I told you it's Armenian, and not Turkish?!"
"I know, I know, take it easy. I am just having fun with you."
"I actually had to special order some just for you from Syracuse, New York."
"Can't wait!"
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Marlon Brando's life may best be defined by a line from "The Wild One," in which Brando, playing a motorcycle gang leader, is asked what he's rebelling against. "Whattaya got?" was his reply.
His most famous act of rebellion was his refusal in 1973 to accept an Oscar. He sent a woman named Sacheen Littlefeather to read a statement against Hollywood's mistreatment of Native Americans. She was booed.
"I am myself," he once declared, "and if I have to hit my head against a brick wall to remain true to myself, I will do it."
Copyright 2004 Glendale News Press
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