Friday 25 March 2016

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1939: Results

5. Thomas Mitchell in Gone With The Wind - Mitchell gives a very strong performance by so effectively realizing the wear of loss through his enthusiastic portrayal before the war and his haunting one after it. 

Best Scene: The return to Tara.
4. Lee J. Cobb in Golden Boy - Cobb completely overcomes his potential miscasting by exuding both the age and background of his character so effortlessly through his performance. Cobb goes even past that to give such striking yet almost silent depiction of the moral center of the film.

Best Scene: Mr. Bonaparte before the fight.
3. Ralph Richardson in the Four Feathers - Richardson gives a powerful performance that effectively steals the spotlight of the film through his depiction of the breakdown of a proper soldier.

Best Scene: Durrance realizes who saved him.
2. Bert Lahr in The Wizard of Oz - Lahr is consistently endearing and hilarious in a performance that stands out among a memorable ensemble through his portrayal of a true scaredy cat.

Best Scene: The Lion's introduction.
1. Cedric Hardwicke in The Hunchback of Notre Dame - Good Predictions Luke, and Anonymous. Among a great field Hardwicke stands at the very top for me in his outstanding portrayal of a zealot's struggle to destroy sin which he sees everywhere including in his own desires.

Best Scene: Frollo reveals his feelings for Esmeralda. 
Overall Rank:
  1. Cedric Hardwicke in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
  2. Thomas Mitchell in Stagecoach
  3. Claude Rains in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
  4. Bert Lahr in The Wizard of Oz
  5. Frank Morgan in The Wizard of Oz 
  6. Ralph Richardson in The Four Feathers
  7. Lee J. Cobb in Golden Boy
  8. Thomas Mitchell in Gone With the Wind
  9. Ray Bolger in The Wizard of Oz
  10. Thomas Mitchell in Only Angels Have Wings 
  11. John Barrymore in Midnight
  12. Jack Haley in The Wizard of Oz
  13. Humphrey Bogart in The Roaring Twenties
  14. Harry Davenport in Gone With the Wind
  15. Edward Arnold in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
  16. Leslie Howard in Gone With The Wind
  17. Thomas Mitchell in Mr. Smith Goes To Wasington
  18. George Bancroft in Stagecoach
  19. Don Ameche in Midnight
  20. John Carradine in Stagecoach
  21. Robert Preston in Beau Geste
  22. John Carradine in Jesse James
  23. Thomas Mitchell in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
  24. Sam Jaffe in Gunga Din 
  25. Claude Rains in Juarez
  26. Harry Davenport in The Hunchback of Notre Dame
  27. John Carradine in Drums Along the Mohawk
  28. Brian Donlevy in Beau Geste
  29. Eduardo Ciannelli in Gunga Din 
  30. Ward Bond in Gone With the Wind
  31. C. Aubrey Smith in The Four Feathers
  32. Otto Kruger in Another Thin Man
  33. J. Carrol Naish in Beau Geste
  34. Frank McHugh in Another Thin Man
  35. Nigel Bruce in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
  36. Sheldon Leonard in Another Thin Man
  37. Arthur Shields in Drums Along the Mohawk
  38. Donald O'Connor in Beau Geste 
  39. Shemp Howard in Another Thin Man
  40. Sig Rugman in Only Angels Have Wings
  41. Henry Fonda in Jesse James
  42. Douglas Fairbanks Jr. in Gunga Din 
  43. Adolphe Menjou in Golden Boy 
  44. Sig Rugman in Ninotchka
  45. Felix Bressart in Ninotchka
  46. Alexander Granach in Ninotchka
  47. Donald Meek in Young Mr. Lincoln
  48. George Zucco in The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes
  49. Broderick Crawford in Beau Geste
  50. Fredrick Culley in The Four Feathers
  51. Humphrey Bogart in Dark Victory
  52. Harry Carey in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington 
  53. Charley Grapewin in The Wizard of Oz
  54. Richard Bathelmess in Only Angels Have Wings
  55. Donald Meek in Stagecoach
  56. Joseph Calleia in Golden Boy
  57. Ward Bond in Drums Along the Mohawk 
  58. Jack Allen in The Four Feathers
  59. Donald Gray in The Four Feathers
  60. Lee Bowman in Love Affair
  61. Ward Bond in Young Mr. Lincoln 
  62. Paul Henreid in Goodbye, Mr. Chips
  63. Guy Kibbee in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
  64. David Niven in Wuthering Heights
  65. Morton Lowry in The Hound of the Baskervilles
  66. Guy Kibbee in Babes in Arms
  67. Henry Hull in Jesse James  
  68. Sebastian Shaw in Another Thin Man 
  69. Terry Kilburn in Goodbye, Mr. Chips
  70. Reginald Gardiner in The Flying Deuces
  71. Richard Greene in The Hound of the Baskervilles
  72. Jeffrey Lynn in The Roaring Twenties
  73. Sidney Blackmer in Convict's Code
  74. George Reeves in Gone With the Wind
  75. Fred Crane in Gone With the Wind
  76. John Garfield in Juarez
Next Up:

An announcement first which is to thank everyone who has been following and continues to comment. I really like how civil the discussions over any films or performances are even when we might disagree vehemently over them. Now I must announce a change in pace due to other obligations. For the time being there probably will only be one review a week and sometimes it might be longer. I'll still leave my thoughts on new movies I see, and update film thoughts now and again. Hopefully in the future I will be able to pick up the pace again, but this is how it has to be for the present.

Now to take a break from trying to find the Best OF before the Bonus Rounds start I'd like to go to the opposite end of things with a WISEAU ROUND (as suggested by Robert MacFarlane). Which means give me your best(worst) performances that are of a different breed entirely.

34 comments:

Michael McCarthy said...

Bravo Louis, it's been a hell of a ride.

What are your ratings and thoughts for John Barrymore in Midnight? Also your rating for Mitchell in Only Angels Have Wings since I think you forgot it when you gave your thoughts.

I'll come back with performance suggestions a bit later.

Calvin Law said...

Woo Hardwicke!

Top 10 films of 1939? Also no worries about the change of pace :) I'll start posting on my blog more regularly perhaps, and there's the new blog by Giuseppe which is up to a great start!

And congratulations, no mean feat.

Michael Patison said...

While I can't say I'm not disappointed that I won't have a great, new review to read every day or two, you've earned a break.

Incredible job right from the very start and I look forward to everything to come, not matter how infrequent it may be.

I may be back later with some Wiseau round suggestions if I get enough time to come up with them.

Michael Patison said...

You forgot to list Mitchell for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington.

Michael Patison said...

RatedRStar: Might I suggest considering Hardwicke in Tom Brown's School Days (1940, supporting). I haven't seen it, but I just came across it, and his performance was well-reviewed.

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Congratulations Louis, your reviews have been fantastic! Even if I'll miss reading your reviews every day when I wake up, there's no one else I can think of who deserves a break more than you. As for the Wiseau Round:
1) Adam Sandler in Jack and Jill
2) Rob Schneider in Deuce Bigalow: Male Gigolo
3) Dev Patel in The Last Airbender
4) John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
5) Nicholas Cage in The Wicker Man

And sorry in advance for the pain you'll have to go through of seeing these horrible movies and performaces.

Giuseppe Fadda said...

@Calvin: Thanks a lot!
@Louis: Congratulations! Not only you are a great reviewer but you also made me discover some movies that I might have ignored otherwise, thank you!

Alex Marqués said...

You're the Saint Patron of Mediocrity Louis :D Your hard work is appreciated.

So...Harry Styles is going to appear in the next Nolan movie with Tom Hardy, Mark Rylance and Kenneth Branagh. I guess he wants to expand his audience to directioners (?)

Alex Marqués said...

With "he" I mean Nolan obviously

Michael Patison said...

Louis: Thoughts on Harvey Korman and Gene Wilder in Blazing Saddles.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Congratulations on completing your 3 year, 9 month odyssey and the break is incredibly well deserved, so I hope you enjoy yourself. :)

I'm also honoured to have won a request on the very last alternate lineup. I need to have a think about it though.

Wiseau Round Suggestions
Nicolas Cage in The Wicker Man (He's a must)
John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
Jon Voight - Anaconda
Can't think of anyone else at the moment.

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Will you be posting a Wiseau ranking as well. If so, then Tommy Wiseau is gonna be your #1.

Luke Higham said...

Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia

Robert MacFarlane said...

Well done, Louis.

RatedRStar said...

It has been wonderful, you deserve the break, it will be great to see you return of course but for now you deserve everything, this is the best Oscar blog in the world, no doubt about it, as for Wiseau rounds.

Pierce Brosman - Mamma Mia (SO WHEN YOU NEED ME DARLINGGG)
Nicolas Cage - The Wicked Man (HOWD IT GET BURNED)
Nicolas Cage - National Treasure 2 (HAGGIS)
Jon Voight - Anaconda (IT GOES FOR DI EYES)
Aaron Kwok - Murderer (AHHH MYYY AHHH MYYY)

Tahmeed Chowdhury said...

Louis: The sidebar doesn't have 1939 Alternate Supporting underlined in Red.

Alex Marqués said...

A review for Nic Cage in The Wicker Man would be epic! I'd also like to read a review of him in Vampire's Kiss. Cage is the man.

RatedRStar said...

Michael Patison: He could get in for 1940, I am quite surprised how strong my 1940 supporting line up is actually.

Alex Marqués said...

Louis: I'd also like to know what do you think of:

Eduardo Noriega - The Devil's Backbone

I personally thought he was awful, especially when compared to other members of the cast

Robert MacFarlane said...

Also, for Wiseau week:

John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
Nic Cage in The Wicker Man
Nic Cage in Deadfall (an absolute necessity)
Jon Voight in Anaconda
Eddie Redmayne in Hick

Luke Higham said...

*so I hope you'll enjoy yourself. :)

Luke Higham said...

Louis: Ratings & Thoughts on:
X-Men
X2
X-Men: The Last Stand
Origins: Wolverine
First Class
The Wolverine
Days Of Future Past
Harry Potter and The Philosopher's/Sorcerer's Stone
The Chamber Of Secrets
The Prisoner Of Azkaban
The Goblet Of Fire
The Order Of The Phoenix
The Half-Blood Prince
The Deathly Hallows Parts I and II

GM said...

Congratulations and a big thank you for this amazing and inspiring project. You're the man.

To finish, what's your top 10 of actors you feel sorry for not giving a win?

Anonymous said...

Louis: It's been one hell of a ride and congratulations. You truly deserve a break. My request for the bonus rounds shall be Boris Karloff in The Body Snatcher (1945). What are your ratings and thoughts on:
Edward Arnold in Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
John Carradine in Stagecoach, Jesse James, Drums Along The Mohawk.

moviefilm said...

Congratulations Louis! You've done a hell of a work that was very inspiring for me on my blog, which I hope you are going to keep following. Thank you for a great time I've had here (and hope to will have from on now, as well) and thanks to everything for the discussions.

For the bad performance, one that comes to my mind is Dennis Hopper in Waterworld. There's also:
Quentin Tarantino in Pulp Fiction
Christoph Waltz - Big Eyes
Miyavi - Unbroken
Tommy Lee Jones - Batman Forever

Luke Higham said...

Louis: During your break, will you be watching more TV.

Anonymous said...

Oh, and I forgot, the suggestions for the Wiseau rounds:
Nicolas Cage in The Wicker Man and Deadfall
Jon Voight in Anaconda
John Travolta in Battlefield Earth
Pierce Brosnan in Mamma Mia

Luke Higham said...

Anonymous: That should be the lineup.

Anonymous said...

These Wiseau Rounds are going to be a lot of fun.

Calvin Law said...

I actually saw Mr Wiseau in the flesh a few weeks ago at a screening of The Room. He was funny but very distant, and can definitely see why he'd be a bit grating on a one on one basis. He also invited one of my friends to his hotel room, an invitation which was politely and wisely declined.

Alex Marqués said...

Wow what a story Calvin. Very wise decision indeed.

Anonymous said...

Hahahaha, what a story, Calvin.

Anonymous said...

I would have preferred that you would go with the bonus rounds, but I don't mind that you go with the Wiseau Rounds.

Louis Morgan said...

Michael:

Thank you. Mitchell's a 4.5.

Barrymore - 4.5(He's a hoot here as more than a little unscrupulous of a schemer. He's a delight in every scene he's in and Barrymore plays so well with kind of his standard suave image by revealing such an eccentric and mischievous flair beneath it all. He enlivens the movie the second he turns up and does not stop until it ends with his very entertaining work)

Calvin:

1. Gone With The Wind
2. Stagecoach
3. The Hunchback of Notre Dame
4. Beau Geste
5. The Wizard of Oz
6. The Roaring Twenties
7. Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
8. Nonotchka
9. Only Angels Have Wings
10. Midnight

Tahmeed, Robert, RatedRStar, and moviefilm:

Thanks.

Giuseppe:

Your Welcome.

Alex:

I absolve you. I absolve you.

Michael:

Korman - (He's technically doing his usual thing he did on the Carol Burnett show, but there's nothing wrong with that as he's very enjoyable in his portrayal of a rather nervous villain.)

Wilder - (Wilder finds just the right tone for his performance as he has this certain seriousness and detachment he brings at times that ends up being downright comic gold when he gets into such ridiculous situation)

Luke:

I doubt any one can knock Wiseau off his own well earned pedestal.

I'm not taking break in terms of creating more free time, it's my lack free time going forward is the reason for the change of pace.

GM:

Thank you.

1. Kirk Douglas
2. John Wayne
3. Al Pacino
4. Ian McKellen
5. Harrison Ford
6. Ralph Fiennes
7. Peter Ustinov
8. Mickey Rourke
9. Cary Grant
10. Burt Lancaster

Anonymous:

Arnold - 4(Strong performance from him as per usual. Here he's just playing the straight villain, Rains is given the complex one. Arnold's good in his role as well and I like how he does not overplay the evil of the character. Instead he plays it much more directly as though the political machine is how things work, and in his method of getting rid of Smith Arnold carries himself in a particularly blunt and direct fashion like a man who's simply doing his job)

Carradine - Stagecoach - 3.5(He brings the right smoothness to the role of the card playing gunslinger type. Carradine though finds a complexity to the character as the film proceeds as he conveys some actual vulnerability within the role rather nicely. He's especially good in bringing such weight to his brief final moment.)

Jesse James - 3.5(A good example of some pure evil Carradine. He brings such a malevolence in those eyes of his, and I love the way he shows the whole plan to kill Jesse mostly through his fiendish expressions. He also though does bring a nuance putting on the right act of a loyal man before the pivotal moment.)

Drums - 3(The thinnest of the roles in that he's purely just there to look evil in a few scenes, but hey Carradine still makes the most of it)