Edward G. Robinson in Double Indemnity
William Bendix in Lifeboat
Peter Lorre in Arsenic and Old Lace
Alternate Best Supporting Actor 2005: Ed Harris in A History of Violence
Ed Harris did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Carl Fogarty in A History of Violence.Ed Harris portrays the Philadelphia gangster who comes looking for diner owner Tom Stall who recently killed two men trying to rob his diner..
Best Supporting Actor 2011: Nick Nolte in Warrior
Nick Nolte received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Paddy Conlon in Warrior.Warrior details a winner take all mixed martial art tournament whose two main combatants are estranged brothers (Tom Hardy, Joel Edgerton) fighting for their own difficult reasons.
Alternate Best Actor 2011
And the Nominees Were Not:Ryan Gosling in DriveRobert Wieckiewicz in In DarknessMichael Fassbender in ShameMichael Shannon in Take ShelterBrendan Gleeson in The Guard..
Showing posts with label 1944 Best Supporting Actor. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1944 Best Supporting Actor. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 11, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Results
Edward G. Robinson in Double Indemnity
William Bendix in Lifeboat
Peter Lorre in Arsenic and Old Lace
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Clifton Webb in Laura
Clifton Webb received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Waldo Lydecker in Laura.
Laura tells the investigation of the murder of a young advertising executive Laura (Gene Tierney).
I should mention this review really must have spoilers for the mystery of Laura. Though one can usually guess who the killer is in a mystery when there was someone nominated in the best supporting actor category. Clifton Webb portrays Waldo Lydecker a newspaper columnist who knows how to easily spew venom and way he wishes whenever he wishes to. Webb could not be better cast for the role as he challenges John Gielgud for being the King of portraying stuffy upper class individuals with quite a superiority complex.
Webb never leaves an moment open for when Waldo is on screen to question to question whom Waldo believes to be the smartest man in the room. Webb does not exactly control every scene with his presence which would be wrong for Waldo actually, but he is always part of the room that you cannot ignore. Webb always has the right emphasis with every single one of Waldo's snarky comments that he comes up with in all of his scenes. Webb always has the right demeanor in these moments as he shows that Waldo does this effortlessly.
Webb keeps Waldo as a bit of a enigma as he should be, in that he never gives away exactly who Waldo is in detail. Yes he is a pompous columnist which Webb displays in spades, but Webb never does leave a bit of mystery behind the man that may or may not contribute to his motivations. Although Webb never makes Waldo not a suspect he never makes it obvious that he will be the villain in the end. Yes it is clear that he is a rather low life sort of man who seems to try to prey on people's weaknesses and manipulating others is not beyond him. Webb never shows it as evil, but rather that is simply the way Waldo is.
An interesting criticism that the film sometimes receives is that Webb who was gay in real life does not seem like ever a romantic possibility with Laura. Well firstly I would say Webb could portray a straight person well enough when he wanted to like in Cheaper by the Dozen he is a believable father and husband. On the other hand in Sitting Pretty the plot point about the town gossip about Webb's character and the housewife played by Maureen O'Hara seemed implausible because, well its Clifton Webb. Even though Clifton Webb is Waldo, and Waldo is suppose to love Laura, I would say Webb still does make the relationship work in his own way.
Although Webb does show that Waldo loves Laura, and that he is the only one who want Laura it is only in his own particular and strange fashion. Webb never seems to show any sexual sort of desire for Laura though as almost he is above that sort of thing. Even in his fits of jealously over Laura he never shows it as a jilted lover but rather the reaction of a man who believes his possession is being tampered with. That really is the key to Webb's portrayal in that he shows a love for Laura by Waldo an intense unwavering one, but as he would for his prize not for a woman he loves.
His sort of love he shows for Laura also factors in perfectly to when it reveals he is in fact the man who murdered the woman. After all it never shows Laura really reject Waldo, it more of shows that she never really considers him, after all he is played by Clifton Webb. Webb creates Waldo relationship with Laura into something that could only really ended in one way since she is not a painting but a human being. This leads to his final scene where he again decides to murder. Webb shows a darker side to Waldo here, and I would by lying if I would to say it is a wholly satisfying conclusion scene for Webb. I do love his final goodbye which perfectly realizes the underlying insanity of Waldo, but I just feel when he threatens her he perhaps just could have been a little better as it seems just a little below Waldo. Nevertheless Webb still gives a terrific performance that creates a memorable character that serves his film just about perfectly.
I should mention this review really must have spoilers for the mystery of Laura. Though one can usually guess who the killer is in a mystery when there was someone nominated in the best supporting actor category. Clifton Webb portrays Waldo Lydecker a newspaper columnist who knows how to easily spew venom and way he wishes whenever he wishes to. Webb could not be better cast for the role as he challenges John Gielgud for being the King of portraying stuffy upper class individuals with quite a superiority complex.
Webb never leaves an moment open for when Waldo is on screen to question to question whom Waldo believes to be the smartest man in the room. Webb does not exactly control every scene with his presence which would be wrong for Waldo actually, but he is always part of the room that you cannot ignore. Webb always has the right emphasis with every single one of Waldo's snarky comments that he comes up with in all of his scenes. Webb always has the right demeanor in these moments as he shows that Waldo does this effortlessly.
Webb keeps Waldo as a bit of a enigma as he should be, in that he never gives away exactly who Waldo is in detail. Yes he is a pompous columnist which Webb displays in spades, but Webb never does leave a bit of mystery behind the man that may or may not contribute to his motivations. Although Webb never makes Waldo not a suspect he never makes it obvious that he will be the villain in the end. Yes it is clear that he is a rather low life sort of man who seems to try to prey on people's weaknesses and manipulating others is not beyond him. Webb never shows it as evil, but rather that is simply the way Waldo is.
An interesting criticism that the film sometimes receives is that Webb who was gay in real life does not seem like ever a romantic possibility with Laura. Well firstly I would say Webb could portray a straight person well enough when he wanted to like in Cheaper by the Dozen he is a believable father and husband. On the other hand in Sitting Pretty the plot point about the town gossip about Webb's character and the housewife played by Maureen O'Hara seemed implausible because, well its Clifton Webb. Even though Clifton Webb is Waldo, and Waldo is suppose to love Laura, I would say Webb still does make the relationship work in his own way.
Although Webb does show that Waldo loves Laura, and that he is the only one who want Laura it is only in his own particular and strange fashion. Webb never seems to show any sexual sort of desire for Laura though as almost he is above that sort of thing. Even in his fits of jealously over Laura he never shows it as a jilted lover but rather the reaction of a man who believes his possession is being tampered with. That really is the key to Webb's portrayal in that he shows a love for Laura by Waldo an intense unwavering one, but as he would for his prize not for a woman he loves.
His sort of love he shows for Laura also factors in perfectly to when it reveals he is in fact the man who murdered the woman. After all it never shows Laura really reject Waldo, it more of shows that she never really considers him, after all he is played by Clifton Webb. Webb creates Waldo relationship with Laura into something that could only really ended in one way since she is not a painting but a human being. This leads to his final scene where he again decides to murder. Webb shows a darker side to Waldo here, and I would by lying if I would to say it is a wholly satisfying conclusion scene for Webb. I do love his final goodbye which perfectly realizes the underlying insanity of Waldo, but I just feel when he threatens her he perhaps just could have been a little better as it seems just a little below Waldo. Nevertheless Webb still gives a terrific performance that creates a memorable character that serves his film just about perfectly.
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Claude Rains in Mr. Skeffington
Claude Rains received his third Oscar nomination for portraying the titular Job Skeffington in Mr. Skeffington.
Mr. Skeffington details the loveless marriage between the vain Fanny Trellis (Bette Davis) and a wealthy Jewish stockbroker Mr. Skeffington.
Claude Rains received three of his four nominations for portraying antagonists of some sort. This is the only time he was nominated for a character who actually might be described as good. It is also the only time out of all his nominations that he could be argued as the leading man of the film. I do not mind his placement in the supporting category since he just about completely disappears for about the second half of the film, he is very much the leading man of the film for the first half. Although this is a very different performance for Rains in regards to his four nominated performances it is one of two of his nominations where he portrays a man married to a woman he loves whom does not love him back.
Rains is in a rather odd spot in this film as he acts opposite Bette Davis who plays Fanny who only marries Mr. Skeffington so she can support her embezzler brother. The reason he is in an odd spot is how over the top and outrageous Davis' performance is in this film. She doesn't have a subtle moment throughout her whole performance which is filled with some of the oddest gestures and Davis almost seeming to do an overdone imitation of herself. Although it would probably be easy to succumb to the temptation to try to outdo or match Davis' performance in terms of extravagant behavior like Richard Waring does as Fanny's brother Trippy Rains actually gives an understated and very much restrained performance to counter Davis' theatrics.
Although Rains certainly is most famous for his villain parts he also does know how to portray a descent man as well, as shown as Mr. Skeffington who is such a nice man that even when he faces an embezzler he still treats them with far more courtesy than they deserve. Rains manages to turn Job into a descent man effectively as he is just a gentleman in the best sense of the word. He is kind courteous and has a low key sort of charm that shows that Skeffington is an entirely descent and respectable man. Rains is the perfect sort of gentleman in the role never trying to stress this fact he merely is. Rains interestingly enough shows here, unlike his other three nominated performances, there really is not anything under the surface of Skeffington he is exactly who he says and claims to be.
The main aspect of Rains' work though comes down to the central relationship in the film between Job and Fanny. There is actually an interesting dynamic between the character's and the two actors as Rains is as subtle as Davis is over the top. I won't say it is a great dynamic though as Davis went too far frankly, an actor can over the top but they have to absolutely sure of their performance and Davis never is. Rains therefore absolutely holds every scene in his possession as he comes off as much more believable because of his far more natural performance. Rains is actually quite moving as Job as he marries Fanny in the belief that he can eventually earn her love. Rains makes it clear that Job is not stupid he shows that he absolutely see Fanny as the gold digger she is, but he also shows that there is a desperation in Job to try to change Fanny.
Much of the early half of the film is dealing with Fanny's many suitors and Job trying to get her to genuinely love him. Rains is convincing in his quite way he shows Job's methods to try to bring out the love he desires out of Fanny. He is gentle in his performance showing that Job only wishes to tell her that he is good for her, and that he does love her, and only wants the same love in return. Rains is actually quite moving as he faces the utter amorality of his wife as he finally faces her down over her cruelty toward him. Although really he could have overacted Rains instead still stays quiet as Job intensely questions Fanny's behavior toward him. The film does not give him enough time and gives him an excessively melodramatic conclusion scene but Rains does manage to realize some of the heartbreak his character faces over his troubled relationship with his wife. This is a good performance by Rains that even manages to haunt the film even after he disappears for a great deal of time by his earlier presence. I wish Davis' performance matched his more thoroughly and the writing of the film was less over the top at times, but as it is Rains still gives a moving portrait of a tragic character.
Claude Rains received three of his four nominations for portraying antagonists of some sort. This is the only time he was nominated for a character who actually might be described as good. It is also the only time out of all his nominations that he could be argued as the leading man of the film. I do not mind his placement in the supporting category since he just about completely disappears for about the second half of the film, he is very much the leading man of the film for the first half. Although this is a very different performance for Rains in regards to his four nominated performances it is one of two of his nominations where he portrays a man married to a woman he loves whom does not love him back.
Rains is in a rather odd spot in this film as he acts opposite Bette Davis who plays Fanny who only marries Mr. Skeffington so she can support her embezzler brother. The reason he is in an odd spot is how over the top and outrageous Davis' performance is in this film. She doesn't have a subtle moment throughout her whole performance which is filled with some of the oddest gestures and Davis almost seeming to do an overdone imitation of herself. Although it would probably be easy to succumb to the temptation to try to outdo or match Davis' performance in terms of extravagant behavior like Richard Waring does as Fanny's brother Trippy Rains actually gives an understated and very much restrained performance to counter Davis' theatrics.
Although Rains certainly is most famous for his villain parts he also does know how to portray a descent man as well, as shown as Mr. Skeffington who is such a nice man that even when he faces an embezzler he still treats them with far more courtesy than they deserve. Rains manages to turn Job into a descent man effectively as he is just a gentleman in the best sense of the word. He is kind courteous and has a low key sort of charm that shows that Skeffington is an entirely descent and respectable man. Rains is the perfect sort of gentleman in the role never trying to stress this fact he merely is. Rains interestingly enough shows here, unlike his other three nominated performances, there really is not anything under the surface of Skeffington he is exactly who he says and claims to be.
The main aspect of Rains' work though comes down to the central relationship in the film between Job and Fanny. There is actually an interesting dynamic between the character's and the two actors as Rains is as subtle as Davis is over the top. I won't say it is a great dynamic though as Davis went too far frankly, an actor can over the top but they have to absolutely sure of their performance and Davis never is. Rains therefore absolutely holds every scene in his possession as he comes off as much more believable because of his far more natural performance. Rains is actually quite moving as Job as he marries Fanny in the belief that he can eventually earn her love. Rains makes it clear that Job is not stupid he shows that he absolutely see Fanny as the gold digger she is, but he also shows that there is a desperation in Job to try to change Fanny.
Much of the early half of the film is dealing with Fanny's many suitors and Job trying to get her to genuinely love him. Rains is convincing in his quite way he shows Job's methods to try to bring out the love he desires out of Fanny. He is gentle in his performance showing that Job only wishes to tell her that he is good for her, and that he does love her, and only wants the same love in return. Rains is actually quite moving as he faces the utter amorality of his wife as he finally faces her down over her cruelty toward him. Although really he could have overacted Rains instead still stays quiet as Job intensely questions Fanny's behavior toward him. The film does not give him enough time and gives him an excessively melodramatic conclusion scene but Rains does manage to realize some of the heartbreak his character faces over his troubled relationship with his wife. This is a good performance by Rains that even manages to haunt the film even after he disappears for a great deal of time by his earlier presence. I wish Davis' performance matched his more thoroughly and the writing of the film was less over the top at times, but as it is Rains still gives a moving portrait of a tragic character.
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Hume Cronyn in The Seventh Cross
Hume Cronyn received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Paul Roeder in The Seventh Cross.
The Seventh Cross is an effective film that depicts the escape attempt of George Heisler (Spencer Tracy) from a concentration camp in Nazi Germany.
Cronyn portrays Paul Roeder a man in George's hometown whom George goes to for help after not being able to come up with anyone else to go and see. Paul is just a normal working man who has no particular political ideas far from the norm but seems to be a man with a good heart. The Seventh Cross is a film filled with much dread as George narrowly escapes many close calls that will most certainly lead to his death, and comes across many cold individuals along the way who refuse to help him. Cronyn first appears well into the picture but he is a breath of fresh air as a wholly upbeat and positive character in the film.
Cronyn is effective of his portrayal of Paul who is just an average working man with a wife and a family, but still will do the right thing when he is called on to do so. Cronyn is quite good early on as he helps George with no knowledge of George's predicament, as he just joyfully treats his friend well with no presumptions of any kind. Cronyn honestly shows Paul to be just an average goodhearted fellow though without every being boring in his portrayal nor does he ever show a false show of goodness, Cronyn realizes that Paul simply is truly a good man.
Cronyn's performance as Paul is quite interesting as he almost becomes the lead of the film for a brief period as Paul risks his own well being by trying to reach connections in the underground to help George escape Nazi's Germany. Cronyn is effective in Paul's quick change as he must face the problems of his country even though he was trying to live a normal life beforehand. Cronyn is great in just the way that after George lets Paul know why he actually needed to stay at his place Paul's whole body language and manner instantly change. As Cronyn shows the happy Paul instantly faced with the troubling reality creates fear and paranoia as well as some anger in Paul due to learning of George's circumstances.
Cronyn brings right into Paul's fears as he tries to help George as we can easily sympathize with Paul because of Cronyn honest and completely believable portrayal. He makes Paul into an any man that is likable and successfully brings out the film's message of some people that are in the worst of situations can still be good people. Cronyn brings this out naturally through his portrayal firstly of his warmth and his natural chemistry with his actual wife Jessica Tandy portraying Paul's wife that makes us care for his welfare just as much as the main character George who have spent more time with. Cronyn effectively portrays though a quiet strength within Paul that comes out, and Cronyn brings us completely with him through his troubles as he slowly realizes how poorly off his country really is. It is a moving and natural performance by Cronyn that succeeds in making Paul Roeder almost the lead of his own short film within the larger film about Tracy's character's struggle.
Cronyn portrays Paul Roeder a man in George's hometown whom George goes to for help after not being able to come up with anyone else to go and see. Paul is just a normal working man who has no particular political ideas far from the norm but seems to be a man with a good heart. The Seventh Cross is a film filled with much dread as George narrowly escapes many close calls that will most certainly lead to his death, and comes across many cold individuals along the way who refuse to help him. Cronyn first appears well into the picture but he is a breath of fresh air as a wholly upbeat and positive character in the film.
Cronyn is effective of his portrayal of Paul who is just an average working man with a wife and a family, but still will do the right thing when he is called on to do so. Cronyn is quite good early on as he helps George with no knowledge of George's predicament, as he just joyfully treats his friend well with no presumptions of any kind. Cronyn honestly shows Paul to be just an average goodhearted fellow though without every being boring in his portrayal nor does he ever show a false show of goodness, Cronyn realizes that Paul simply is truly a good man.
Cronyn's performance as Paul is quite interesting as he almost becomes the lead of the film for a brief period as Paul risks his own well being by trying to reach connections in the underground to help George escape Nazi's Germany. Cronyn is effective in Paul's quick change as he must face the problems of his country even though he was trying to live a normal life beforehand. Cronyn is great in just the way that after George lets Paul know why he actually needed to stay at his place Paul's whole body language and manner instantly change. As Cronyn shows the happy Paul instantly faced with the troubling reality creates fear and paranoia as well as some anger in Paul due to learning of George's circumstances.
Cronyn brings right into Paul's fears as he tries to help George as we can easily sympathize with Paul because of Cronyn honest and completely believable portrayal. He makes Paul into an any man that is likable and successfully brings out the film's message of some people that are in the worst of situations can still be good people. Cronyn brings this out naturally through his portrayal firstly of his warmth and his natural chemistry with his actual wife Jessica Tandy portraying Paul's wife that makes us care for his welfare just as much as the main character George who have spent more time with. Cronyn effectively portrays though a quiet strength within Paul that comes out, and Cronyn brings us completely with him through his troubles as he slowly realizes how poorly off his country really is. It is a moving and natural performance by Cronyn that succeeds in making Paul Roeder almost the lead of his own short film within the larger film about Tracy's character's struggle.
Monday, April 9, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Monty Woolley in Since You Went Away
Monty Woolley received his second and final Oscar nomination for portraying Colonel William B. Smollett in Since You Went Away.
Since You Went Away details the harships faced by a family after their father goes off to war during World War II.
I sometimes mention when an actor portrays incredibly different characters for two different Oscar nominations. Woolley though portrays extremely similar characters though. Both are older former military men no longer believed to be useful by their countries' armies.They both are put in situation with young people, young people who they do not have all that great of a liking for, and act a bit stuffier toward them. Although I would say Wolley's Colonel Smollett opposed to his Howard in The Pied Piper are not exactly the same as Smollett is in a far better situation than Howard and Howard was bit less stuffy than Smollett is.
Woolley probably had these similar roles though is because he quite good at it. Smollett is the boarder at the house of mother Claudette Colbert, and her daughters played by Jennifer Jones, and Shirley Temple. He must deal with the young women as well as their dog which he at first off puts his usually stuffy ways. Woolley simply knows how to be stuffy as he has his various humorous reactions to the behaviors he sees while staying in the home. Woolley doesn't overplay the humor of his performance, he rather naturally brings it out in small well placed fashions.
A more serious aspect of his film though involves his relationship between Smollet and his Grandson (Robert Walker). Woolley again is effective in his few scenes with Walker as he shows disappointment in Smollet which he effectively ascribes Smollett's pride being hurt by the failures of his grandson. Woolley finds just the right way to portray Smollett's relationship with Smollett's grandson. He does mostly show his inability to get over his grandson's disappointment but does just show the slightest sense of love for his grandson. He shows that pride overrules these feelings but that they are there.
His performance though eventually depends on his character's transformation from well being less stuffy. This is here that it does become noticeable that Woolley really is not really given enough screentime. He disappears for much to great of a time like the film almost wanted you to forget about his character which is quite unfortunate considering Woolley's strong performance. Woolley though only comes in and out of the film still manages to make a believable as well as fairly moving change as Smollett slowly lightens up and begins to admit his admiration for those around him. It is a little too since Wolley is not shown enough throughout to work through it but he still shows it within his character and does succeed in making the transition, I just believe if Woolley had been given more time he could have made it more effective. Still this a good performance that I only wanted to see more of.
I sometimes mention when an actor portrays incredibly different characters for two different Oscar nominations. Woolley though portrays extremely similar characters though. Both are older former military men no longer believed to be useful by their countries' armies.They both are put in situation with young people, young people who they do not have all that great of a liking for, and act a bit stuffier toward them. Although I would say Wolley's Colonel Smollett opposed to his Howard in The Pied Piper are not exactly the same as Smollett is in a far better situation than Howard and Howard was bit less stuffy than Smollett is.
Woolley probably had these similar roles though is because he quite good at it. Smollett is the boarder at the house of mother Claudette Colbert, and her daughters played by Jennifer Jones, and Shirley Temple. He must deal with the young women as well as their dog which he at first off puts his usually stuffy ways. Woolley simply knows how to be stuffy as he has his various humorous reactions to the behaviors he sees while staying in the home. Woolley doesn't overplay the humor of his performance, he rather naturally brings it out in small well placed fashions.
A more serious aspect of his film though involves his relationship between Smollet and his Grandson (Robert Walker). Woolley again is effective in his few scenes with Walker as he shows disappointment in Smollet which he effectively ascribes Smollett's pride being hurt by the failures of his grandson. Woolley finds just the right way to portray Smollett's relationship with Smollett's grandson. He does mostly show his inability to get over his grandson's disappointment but does just show the slightest sense of love for his grandson. He shows that pride overrules these feelings but that they are there.
His performance though eventually depends on his character's transformation from well being less stuffy. This is here that it does become noticeable that Woolley really is not really given enough screentime. He disappears for much to great of a time like the film almost wanted you to forget about his character which is quite unfortunate considering Woolley's strong performance. Woolley though only comes in and out of the film still manages to make a believable as well as fairly moving change as Smollett slowly lightens up and begins to admit his admiration for those around him. It is a little too since Wolley is not shown enough throughout to work through it but he still shows it within his character and does succeed in making the transition, I just believe if Woolley had been given more time he could have made it more effective. Still this a good performance that I only wanted to see more of.
Friday, April 6, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1944: Barry Fitzgerald in Going My Way
Barry Fitzgerald won his Oscar from his other Oscar nomination for also portraying Father Fitzgibbon in Going My Way.
Barry Fitzgerald is the only actor to have been nominated twice for the same role in the same role in two different categories. Because of this I find it rather pointless to entirely re-review him as you can find my thoughts on him here. My thoughts have not changed in regards to his performance after watching the film once again. The only point of my review here is to explain the difference between rating a leading performance and a supporting one. Although I think it is easy enough to say a performance is a performance, but I would say there is a difference when looking at whether they are supporting or leading.
I do feel leading performances receive more expectations and appropriately so. There is a greater impact, and presence in a film that is expected from a leading performance. A supporting performance you still want to be memorable and have a lasting impact, but they don't have to be the most memorable aspect of a film or the most striking still to be a perfect supporting turn. The reason Fitzgerald did not get a five in his leading performance was he could not have this impact expected of the great leading performance simply because he was not a leading performance something he could not help.
As a leading performance I wanted more of Fitzgerald to allow for the appropriate presence in the film, but as a supporting turn Fitzgerald has more than enough time to realize his wonderful performance in a supporting fashion. He gives the perfect supporting performance. He is always enjoyable and heartwarming whenever he is in the film. He is always a joy and makes every moment he is in better that it would be otherwise, and becomes the best part of the film easily. He doesn't control the film as he is a supporting player as written, but in the role he is in he is perfect for it. As a leading role he simply is not given the allowance to realize a perfect lead performance, but he unquestionably does realize a perfect supporting one.
I do feel leading performances receive more expectations and appropriately so. There is a greater impact, and presence in a film that is expected from a leading performance. A supporting performance you still want to be memorable and have a lasting impact, but they don't have to be the most memorable aspect of a film or the most striking still to be a perfect supporting turn. The reason Fitzgerald did not get a five in his leading performance was he could not have this impact expected of the great leading performance simply because he was not a leading performance something he could not help.
As a leading performance I wanted more of Fitzgerald to allow for the appropriate presence in the film, but as a supporting turn Fitzgerald has more than enough time to realize his wonderful performance in a supporting fashion. He gives the perfect supporting performance. He is always enjoyable and heartwarming whenever he is in the film. He is always a joy and makes every moment he is in better that it would be otherwise, and becomes the best part of the film easily. He doesn't control the film as he is a supporting player as written, but in the role he is in he is perfect for it. As a leading role he simply is not given the allowance to realize a perfect lead performance, but he unquestionably does realize a perfect supporting one.
Thursday, April 5, 2012
Best Supporting Actor 1944
Claude Rains in Mr. Skeffington
Clifton Webb in Laura
Barry Fitzgerald in Going My Way
Monty Woolley in Since You Went Away
Hume Cronyn in The Seventh Cross
