Most of the solo shots of Steiger during the famous taxicab scene in
On the Waterfront (1954) were done after
Marlon Brando had left for the day. Brando had it in
his contract that he could finish shooting before the normal quitting
time so that he could make his daily session with his psychiatrist.
Steiger was deeply hurt and annoyed at Brando's rudeness and lack of
courtesy to a fellow actor, as it was customary, in a two-shot, for an actor in close-up to be fed his lines by the other actor or for the other actor to just be there so
the first actor would have him him or her to play to. Steiger used
his negative emotions to enhance his performance, and though he paid
tribute to Brando as a great actor, he personally loathed him
thereafter. Director
Elia Kazan stood in for Brando in the back of the
cab so Steiger would have someone to emote to.
