People: Apr. 5, 1963

At its world première in Bangkok, The Ugly American seemed to misfire, but Star Marlon Brando, 39, scored a clean hit. Off-screen he suavely discussed Buddhism with Thailand's King Bhumibol and told beautiful Queen Sirikit, "I have heard many wonderful things about you, but they do not compare with what you really are." Good-Will Ambassador Brando was "genuinely overwhelmed by the gentle Thai people. Smiles are pretty hard to come by on Hollywood and Vine." But when a little old lady chewing betel nut asked what he did for a living, Marlon went right...

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