Marvin Was Cooler Than Brando

Lee Marvin in his iconic role-- Chino from 1953's The Wild One. Marlon rode a Triumph (his own) but Lee and his brood rode Harleys.

Lee Marvin was way cooler and had more natural biker vibe than the posturing Brando.

It is said that Marvin used legendary biker, Willie Forkner ("Wino Willy") as a model of his character. Forkner rode with the Booze Fighters Motorcycle Club --

Surprisingly he could not ride a motorcycle at the time of the filming but, determined not to be bettered by the star, Marlon Brando, he quickly learned. He later became a keen competitor on his Triumph 200cc Tiger Cub in desert races.

I need to watch the movie again.

The movie was inspired by the event of Hollister riot of 1947 and the staged picture and article that published in LIFE magazine.

San Francisco Hell's Angels chapter president Frank Sadilek bought the striped shirt that Lee Marvin wore in the movie, and wore it when meeting police officials.

He died of heart attack in late 80's. Did not die as a fat lazy slob as Marlon did in 2004.

He is interred at Arlington National Cemetery where his headstone reads "Lee Marvin, PFC US Marine Corps, World War II".