It was on this date in 1973 that Marlon Brando refused his Oscar for Best Actor in "The Godfather" as a gesture for the Native Americans at Wounded Knee. It turned out that the woman who spoke for him, one "Sacheen Littlefeather" spoke on Brando's behalf.

" Marlon Brando... has asked me to tell you, in a very long speech which I cannot share with you presently — because of time — but I will be glad to share with the press afterward, that he must... very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award.

And the reason for this being... are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry… excuse me…and on television in movie re-runs, and also the recent happenings at Wounded Knee. I beg at this time that I have not intruded upon this evening and that we will, in the future… our hearts and our understanding will meet with love and generosity. Thank you on behalf of Marlon Brando.

Littlefeather, an actress named Maria Cruz and who three years before had been named: "Miss American Vampire", was remembered by history as a fraud who demeaned Native Americans and the Oscars by her showy gesture.

By that time, Brando had become a caricature of himself, often badmouthing his movies after he'd been paid. He had much sadness in his life, outliving his troubled daughter Cheyenne and his son Christian served prison time for manslaughter. It was a strange night at the Oscars on this date in 1973.