Thursday 21 July 2011

Best Actor 1942: Results

5. Gary Cooper in The Pride of the Yankees- Cooper gives a rather dull performance, that only has any sort of emotional power in his final speech.
4. Walter Pidgeon in Mrs. Miniver- Pidgeon is fine throughout his performance, but he does very little than support his on screen wife.
3. Ronald Colman in Random Harvest- Colman is perfect in the first half of his performance showing the right haunted quality of the man, as well shows a good transition, when he gets somewhat better from finding love. He is also good in his change when he gains his memory back, but unfortunately the second half of his performance is a lot less interesting, but he certainly makes up for it in his final scene of the film.
2. Monty Woolley in The Pied Piper- Woolley actually fairly easily is my choice this year giving the most consistently entertaining and effective performance this year. Woolley gives a humorous performance, that manages to be powerful as well when it needs to be.
1. James Cagney in Yankee Doodle Dandy- Cagney performance certainly has a unique style that is old fashioned but this style and high kinetic energy certainly work well in this role.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

Nice. I thought Cagney would win? Could you please do 99 next? :)

Fritz said...

I'm surprised but only because I never heard of Woolley

dinasztie said...

What a surprise... :)

I remember now who Wooley is. He's the old man from Since You Went Away.

RatedRStar said...

what about 66 or 86 =D

dshultz said...

99 or 2002 next please?

Anonymous said...

I need to see him now...maybe he really could save this awful lineup.

Anonymous said...

WOW-I would give it to Cagney any day. And I have seen all five performances many times.
I am actually disappointed he did not win. I think it is one of the most icon performances of the 1940's. OH well !!!!
Love your blog a great deal.

Louis Morgan said...

Augie: I appreciate the comment.