The Method-acting pioneer Lee Strasberg famously remarked that his one-time student Paul Newman would have been “as great as Marlon Brando” if he hadn't “coasted on his good looks”. The iconic film roles and worldwide affection that followed for the late Newman would suggest this was a harsh evaluation. But for a glimpse of the Newman whom Strasberg would have taught, take a look at the screen test for East of Eden (tinyurl.com/6793yk), in which Newman acts against James Dean. It's impossible to draw much of a conclusion about his early acting ability from such a short clip, but there's certainly evidence of the smirking good humour that later flourished so winningly in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid. Dean just looks bashful.

If you wish to compare both actors with Brando, have a look at (tiny.cc/GRInP) where you'll find rare footage of Marlon Brando's screen test for Rebel Without a Cause. Of course, the part of Jim Stark would eventually go to Dean, who had the requisite vulnerability to play the role, but even in this screen test, Brando conveys pent-up angst impressively.

Which leads nicely to John Belushi's audition for Saturday Night Live in 1975 (tiny.cc/BFpLE), featuring Belushi's terrific impression of Brando and proving what a supremely natural comic talent he was. The only problem with this clip, as with so many, is that it's too short and leaves you wanting more.

Another actor proving his comic mettle during a screen test is a teenage Seth Rogen, here shown during his hilarious audition for the TV show Freaks and Geeks (tiny.cc/mmBU8) discussing his plans post-graduation (and laying the groundwork for his role in Pineapple Express) to become a farmer and grow “the finest reefer the mid-West has even known”.

Finally, Bruce Lee fans will be fascinated to witness his lengthy screen test for the part of Kato in the 1960s TV series The Green Hornet (tiny.cc/GU8tw). After a brief chat, we get to see Lee demonstrating some of his moves on the assistant director, who does well to stand his ground!

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