Co-host Charlton Heston had a flat tire on the way to the awards and arrived a few minutes late, just after Clint Eastwood had been pressed into service as a temporary emergency substitute.

[Marlon Brando's Best Actor award is announced]


Sacheen Littlefeather:
Hello. My name is Sacheen Littlefeather. I'm Apache, and I am president of the National Native American Affirmative Image Committee. I'm representing Marlon Brando this evening, and he 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 afterwards, that he very regretfully cannot accept this very generous award, and the reasons for this being are the treatment of American Indians today by the film industry...

[murmuring in audience]


Sacheen Littlefeather:
Excuse me.

[booing and applause]


Sacheen Littlefeather:
And on television in movie reruns and also with 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.

Written by Walter Scharf and Don Black
Performed by Michael Jackson