James Cagney in White Heat
Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets
Showing posts with label 1949. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 1949. Show all posts
Thursday, 3 March 2011
Best Actor 1949: Results
James Cagney in White Heat
Dennis Price in Kind Hearts and Coronets
Wednesday, 2 March 2011
Best Actor 1949: Kirk Douglas in Champion
Kirk Douglas received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Micheal 'Midge' Kelly in Champion.
Champion is a pretty well made film noir as a man becomes rises as a boxer but falls as a man.
Midge Kelly at the beginning of the film is shown to be the champion of the world in boxing. It then flashes back to his very humble beginnings as just a normal Joe traveling through with his brother Connie Kelly (Arthur Kennedy). They are both struggling to find his way, and early here Douglas is his usual very charming self. Douglas early shows Micheal a charming guy, who is quick to get into a fight to make a quick buck, or defend himself or his brother.
Midge and his brother find themselves on the wrong end of a scam, and instead of owning part of a diner they end up workers at it. There is the small concession of the beautiful daughter of the diner owner Emma (Ruth Roman), who Midge charms quickly, which is quite natural since Douglas is especially charming here. Midge and Connie leave though after Midge is forced into a shotgun wedding by Emma's father once he finds out that she and Midge are having a relationship. Midge instantly leaves with Connie after the wedding, Douglas here suggests well another side of Midge, a darker side that refuses to be controlled, or kept in a position by someone else.
Midge finds he is a natural in boxing, and after training quickly begins winning matches. Midge stays charming for awhile, and passionately refuses again to throw a fight to appease gamblers. Because of this and his fairly sudden rise to the top this brings out a different side of Midge. Midge who forgets his old manger who helped him from the beginning and his brother. Douglas becomes properly cold, and loses his charm. Douglas suggested this of Midge early on and he slowly realizes this change in Midge for it to be properly effective.
Midge begins not only to disregard everyone else for his success but he also begins to coldly manipulate them as well. Douglas is coldly effective in two scenes particular, where he manipulates a woman Grace Diamond he has being going with for awhile who attempts to manipulate him, but his cold denial of her, and his rejection of her is outstanding. Another manipulation Midge does is he manipulates his wife not to get a divorce. Douglas shows Midge to still be charismatic, but now in a stark cruel fashion. This change of Midge is chilling because Douglas properly brought Midge to this point, and also because the degradation of Midge as a person is so great.
Douglas' performance is especially effective because he does not try to portray Midge as a villain but as a truly fallen man. He did not fall exactly because Midge was always an bad man, but Douglas portrays it that he did because his want of survival, and his refusal to be looked at as lower than someone else. I particularly think Douglas' final moments are incredibly powerful because he shows the real honest cause of Midge's fall at the end of the film as he spouts himself as the Champion and finally showing everyone else that he is better well being punch drunk in a sad final moment of a once charming honest man who has fallen to nothing.
Midge Kelly at the beginning of the film is shown to be the champion of the world in boxing. It then flashes back to his very humble beginnings as just a normal Joe traveling through with his brother Connie Kelly (Arthur Kennedy). They are both struggling to find his way, and early here Douglas is his usual very charming self. Douglas early shows Micheal a charming guy, who is quick to get into a fight to make a quick buck, or defend himself or his brother.
Midge and his brother find themselves on the wrong end of a scam, and instead of owning part of a diner they end up workers at it. There is the small concession of the beautiful daughter of the diner owner Emma (Ruth Roman), who Midge charms quickly, which is quite natural since Douglas is especially charming here. Midge and Connie leave though after Midge is forced into a shotgun wedding by Emma's father once he finds out that she and Midge are having a relationship. Midge instantly leaves with Connie after the wedding, Douglas here suggests well another side of Midge, a darker side that refuses to be controlled, or kept in a position by someone else.
Midge finds he is a natural in boxing, and after training quickly begins winning matches. Midge stays charming for awhile, and passionately refuses again to throw a fight to appease gamblers. Because of this and his fairly sudden rise to the top this brings out a different side of Midge. Midge who forgets his old manger who helped him from the beginning and his brother. Douglas becomes properly cold, and loses his charm. Douglas suggested this of Midge early on and he slowly realizes this change in Midge for it to be properly effective.
Midge begins not only to disregard everyone else for his success but he also begins to coldly manipulate them as well. Douglas is coldly effective in two scenes particular, where he manipulates a woman Grace Diamond he has being going with for awhile who attempts to manipulate him, but his cold denial of her, and his rejection of her is outstanding. Another manipulation Midge does is he manipulates his wife not to get a divorce. Douglas shows Midge to still be charismatic, but now in a stark cruel fashion. This change of Midge is chilling because Douglas properly brought Midge to this point, and also because the degradation of Midge as a person is so great.
Douglas' performance is especially effective because he does not try to portray Midge as a villain but as a truly fallen man. He did not fall exactly because Midge was always an bad man, but Douglas portrays it that he did because his want of survival, and his refusal to be looked at as lower than someone else. I particularly think Douglas' final moments are incredibly powerful because he shows the real honest cause of Midge's fall at the end of the film as he spouts himself as the Champion and finally showing everyone else that he is better well being punch drunk in a sad final moment of a once charming honest man who has fallen to nothing.
Best Actor 1949: Gregory Peck in Twelve O'Clock High
Gregory Peck received his fourth Oscar nomination for portraying Brigadier General Frank Savage in Twelve O'Clock High.
Twelve O'Clock High tells the story of World War II bomber pilots, and it was one of the first Hollywood films to show the psychological trauma of war.
Frank Savage is the man who is put in charge of the 918th heavy bombardment group, because there former commanding officer according to Savage became over identifying with his men. Savage really is not an overly complicated character actually, just a man put in charge of a job, and determined to do so to its fullest. Savage is a commanding man who will get these men into shape, even if it means being quite rough at times.
Peck really is fine for this role and has the right commanding presence as Savage. He has the right demeanor in the role which suits the character of Savage. Savage although must be shown to be a fine leader, is not really shown to be all more than that until the end of the film. Savage says what needs to be done and expects everyone to do it. Savage I suppose grows in respect with his men, which again Peck does not really change in his performance, nor did he have to, but rather the film dictates this growth in respect.
Peck really is not one of my favorite actors. I find he can many times be incredibly dull, and far too unemotional. He is slightly dull, and not particularly emotional in this performance, but that actually works well for Savage as a character. Peck always straight delivery and method works for Savage, even though that does mean neither his character or his performance is ever all that compelling. Still though his performance is fine and does work in context of the film. Also at the end Savage suffers a nervous breakdown. I did not think Peck really indicated or lead to the breakdown all that well, but his performance of the actual breakdown is fine. Overall not a very interesting performance, but one that does serve its purpose.
Frank Savage is the man who is put in charge of the 918th heavy bombardment group, because there former commanding officer according to Savage became over identifying with his men. Savage really is not an overly complicated character actually, just a man put in charge of a job, and determined to do so to its fullest. Savage is a commanding man who will get these men into shape, even if it means being quite rough at times.
Peck really is fine for this role and has the right commanding presence as Savage. He has the right demeanor in the role which suits the character of Savage. Savage although must be shown to be a fine leader, is not really shown to be all more than that until the end of the film. Savage says what needs to be done and expects everyone to do it. Savage I suppose grows in respect with his men, which again Peck does not really change in his performance, nor did he have to, but rather the film dictates this growth in respect.
Peck really is not one of my favorite actors. I find he can many times be incredibly dull, and far too unemotional. He is slightly dull, and not particularly emotional in this performance, but that actually works well for Savage as a character. Peck always straight delivery and method works for Savage, even though that does mean neither his character or his performance is ever all that compelling. Still though his performance is fine and does work in context of the film. Also at the end Savage suffers a nervous breakdown. I did not think Peck really indicated or lead to the breakdown all that well, but his performance of the actual breakdown is fine. Overall not a very interesting performance, but one that does serve its purpose.
Tuesday, 1 March 2011
Best Actor 1949: Richard Todd in The Hasty Heart
Richard Todd received his only Oscar nomination for portraying Cpl. Lachlan 'Lachie' MacLachlan in The Hasty Heart.
The Hasty Heart is an okay somewhat charming film about a group of sick or once sick soldiers in a mobile surgery unit who try to get a soon to die soldier, but doesn't know it yet, to enjoy life and break out of his shell.
Richard Todd portrays this soldier who is Scottish, and you know he is Scottish, because Todd does a very Scotty Scottish accent in the role. He portrays Lachie as a angry annoyed man and everyone and everybody. He quickly turns everyone else off with his obnoxious behavior. In this early part Todd does very little to show Lachie's anger than what he is showing on the surface. Not that the anger he shows is poorly done, its fine I suppose, he just does not really anything to the character.
The men manage to get him to break from his shell through the work of a nice nurse (Patricia Neal), and a nice fellow soldier Yank (Ronald Reagan in a fairly charming performance). Todd when he breaks out of his shell does it quite suddenly and becomes the opposite of an mean man but now an overly nice guy. Todd again is sort of charming, and properly nice now, but his transition is a bit too rapid. He again though really keeps his character relatively simplistic.
Lachie eventually is told he is going to die, and I will give credit to Todd his reaction to hearing the news is sad and well handled. Lachie though then becomes just like he was at the beginning. He is now angry though in believing everyone was being nice to him because he was dying. Then he changes back at the very end when he learns they were his friends after all. Todd again leaves something to be desired although still remains okay. Not a terrible performance, but altogether unimpressive.
Richard Todd portrays this soldier who is Scottish, and you know he is Scottish, because Todd does a very Scotty Scottish accent in the role. He portrays Lachie as a angry annoyed man and everyone and everybody. He quickly turns everyone else off with his obnoxious behavior. In this early part Todd does very little to show Lachie's anger than what he is showing on the surface. Not that the anger he shows is poorly done, its fine I suppose, he just does not really anything to the character.
The men manage to get him to break from his shell through the work of a nice nurse (Patricia Neal), and a nice fellow soldier Yank (Ronald Reagan in a fairly charming performance). Todd when he breaks out of his shell does it quite suddenly and becomes the opposite of an mean man but now an overly nice guy. Todd again is sort of charming, and properly nice now, but his transition is a bit too rapid. He again though really keeps his character relatively simplistic.
Lachie eventually is told he is going to die, and I will give credit to Todd his reaction to hearing the news is sad and well handled. Lachie though then becomes just like he was at the beginning. He is now angry though in believing everyone was being nice to him because he was dying. Then he changes back at the very end when he learns they were his friends after all. Todd again leaves something to be desired although still remains okay. Not a terrible performance, but altogether unimpressive.
Sunday, 27 February 2011
Best Actor 1949: John Wayne in Sands of Iwo Jima
John Wayne received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Sgt. John M. Stryker in Sands of Iwo Jima.
Sands of Iwo Jima is a fairly standard old fashioned war movie, it is entirely cliched but I suppose it is sort of made finely for this type of film.
There are many types of different types of actors in terms of Oscar relation. There is the properly nominated actors in the sort of Laurence Olivier, or Marlon Brando, there is the over nominated like say Spencer Tracy or Warren Beatty, or there is the never nominated snubs of people like Edward G. Robinson or Peter Lorre, and there are also the under nominated of miss nominated meaning they are indeed Oscar nominees but they were nominated too few of times, or they were always nominated for the wrong performances. I must say John Wayne is an actor of this last type mentioned, he was indeed nominated for Oscars but only twice and for performances many detract from.
I actually think Wayne is fine as an actor in his standard performances, he sometimes over does it, and is limited in his way but I find he is fine in his standard roles that are right for him, and I do think he has a few performances that should have been his nominations, if he was only to be nominated twice he should have been nominated most certainly for The Quiet Man my favorite performance of his where he is surprisingly charming, comedic, and tender, or his most praised performance in The Searchers where he is coldly effective. Now he was not nominated for these his best roles, but rather this first for a very standard Wayne role of a Military man leading troops. Now The reason I went on this rather long opening description is I think Wayne is given at times an overly hard time as an actor, and I do think he could be great at the right time and for the right role, so I just wanted to make clear I do think he deserved an Oscar nomination or two just maybe not for this performance.
Wayne portrays Stryker in what is a very standard Wayne performance. He commands his troops in his own commanding way at which Wayne is just fine at. He is not amazing as the Sergeant, but sure I certainly did believe him well enough in the role. No he does not do anything great as he deals with his men of every different type with his appropriate man of military, but I did think it was fine for the film, and I believed his performance. Wayne does try his best to make the sometimes incredibly cliched dialogue with conviction, and I think he handles as well as any other actor really could have, which is not much but fine.
Wayne is fine most of the film, and I do think he is a little better in his performance in the war scenes. He has the right command of a fine although not perfect marine sergeant. He again does display the right emotions, and using silent reactions to what he sees and does is well handled enough, amazing, no, but well enough. In fact his reaction shots are always the best part of his performance in this film which convey a more feeling and emotion then whenever he is talking. I do think Wayne is good here, and in particular scenes, and he is just fine and functional in other scenes. A great performance no, the best performance of Wayne's career, no, the best performance of Wayne this year, no he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, but I still thought he was fine.
There are many types of different types of actors in terms of Oscar relation. There is the properly nominated actors in the sort of Laurence Olivier, or Marlon Brando, there is the over nominated like say Spencer Tracy or Warren Beatty, or there is the never nominated snubs of people like Edward G. Robinson or Peter Lorre, and there are also the under nominated of miss nominated meaning they are indeed Oscar nominees but they were nominated too few of times, or they were always nominated for the wrong performances. I must say John Wayne is an actor of this last type mentioned, he was indeed nominated for Oscars but only twice and for performances many detract from.
I actually think Wayne is fine as an actor in his standard performances, he sometimes over does it, and is limited in his way but I find he is fine in his standard roles that are right for him, and I do think he has a few performances that should have been his nominations, if he was only to be nominated twice he should have been nominated most certainly for The Quiet Man my favorite performance of his where he is surprisingly charming, comedic, and tender, or his most praised performance in The Searchers where he is coldly effective. Now he was not nominated for these his best roles, but rather this first for a very standard Wayne role of a Military man leading troops. Now The reason I went on this rather long opening description is I think Wayne is given at times an overly hard time as an actor, and I do think he could be great at the right time and for the right role, so I just wanted to make clear I do think he deserved an Oscar nomination or two just maybe not for this performance.
Wayne portrays Stryker in what is a very standard Wayne performance. He commands his troops in his own commanding way at which Wayne is just fine at. He is not amazing as the Sergeant, but sure I certainly did believe him well enough in the role. No he does not do anything great as he deals with his men of every different type with his appropriate man of military, but I did think it was fine for the film, and I believed his performance. Wayne does try his best to make the sometimes incredibly cliched dialogue with conviction, and I think he handles as well as any other actor really could have, which is not much but fine.
Wayne is fine most of the film, and I do think he is a little better in his performance in the war scenes. He has the right command of a fine although not perfect marine sergeant. He again does display the right emotions, and using silent reactions to what he sees and does is well handled enough, amazing, no, but well enough. In fact his reaction shots are always the best part of his performance in this film which convey a more feeling and emotion then whenever he is talking. I do think Wayne is good here, and in particular scenes, and he is just fine and functional in other scenes. A great performance no, the best performance of Wayne's career, no, the best performance of Wayne this year, no he was better in She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, but I still thought he was fine.
Friday, 25 February 2011
Best Actor 1949: Broderick Crawford in All the King's Men
Broderick Crawford won an Oscar from his only nomination for portraying Willie Stark in All The King's Men.
All the King's Men is a somewhat effective but also lacking piece that takes a look at political corruption.
All the King's Men tells the story of a journalist (John Ireland) who follows the political career of Willie Stark. When we first see Stark he seems like a very soft spoken honest Joe who wants just to do what is right for the people. I frankly think Crawford actually honestly overdid the softness and naivety of Willie at the beginning of the film and frankly made him seem to nice, and modest. Crawford makes no indication at all that there is anything but good in Stark, who is passionate for the good of the people and nothing else.
Old Willie though changes a little too rapidly when told that he is being used by the higher ups. He changes basically as soon as he finds out and changes to an very confidant passionate speaker who learns how to fiery up the people to vote for him. I will say Crawford gives the right passionate bluster to his speech and into the new Willie, but I find him changing into this far more confidant Willie lacks a proper transition. The film does not really give it enough time, but Crawford really failed to use the little time he really had to make it convincing. He also failed to show of hidden aspects of Willie beforehand in the earliest moments, due to the simple nice guy portrayal he did.
Willie Stark as soon as he becomes a knowledgeable confidant politician he seems to become a completely evil and manipulative one. I think Crawford and the film again are to blame, the film does force this instant transition, but also Crawford almost immediately begins to portray Willie in this evil fashion. Again a failed transition but this does lead to Crawford portrayal as the power hungry Stark. This is by far the best part and aspect of Crawford's performance one that he pretty much fully succeeds with. Crawford has the perfect manipulative command to Willie in his power hungry form. As he smiles gleefully of his new found power clearly enjoying it well. I also thought his smooth control over his sessions where he deals with his enemies are quite effective and believable. Crawford also keeps the right intensity of Willie who dislikes whenever anything is not going his way, again he keeps it smooth and builds his anger but hides in public in the proper slimy politician fashion.
Now Crawford is almost perfect in as the evil Stark well when he is being actually evil, but I really did not entirely buy him as being seen as this great man by the public. Crawford's speeches consists of angered rhetoric, and he lacked a charm in the role necessary I think for his character to completely fool the public in this way. Crawford does indeed put on a false show in public well enough, but I think he needed more charm and charisma to be fully convincing. I also think his many liaisons with many women has the same problem. Yes he is a powerful guy and they easily could be attracted to that, but the utter devotion seems a little hard to believe, due to the lack of charisma he shows especially in the scenes with the women. Crawford mostly did character work and perhaps that is what suited him best. If he only had to do the evil Willie in a Supporting character role his performance would have been brilliant, but since he is required to show so much with the character's changes and transition his performance falls short overall. His performance is lacking most of the time, but he still excels very well in specific moments.
All the King's Men tells the story of a journalist (John Ireland) who follows the political career of Willie Stark. When we first see Stark he seems like a very soft spoken honest Joe who wants just to do what is right for the people. I frankly think Crawford actually honestly overdid the softness and naivety of Willie at the beginning of the film and frankly made him seem to nice, and modest. Crawford makes no indication at all that there is anything but good in Stark, who is passionate for the good of the people and nothing else.
Old Willie though changes a little too rapidly when told that he is being used by the higher ups. He changes basically as soon as he finds out and changes to an very confidant passionate speaker who learns how to fiery up the people to vote for him. I will say Crawford gives the right passionate bluster to his speech and into the new Willie, but I find him changing into this far more confidant Willie lacks a proper transition. The film does not really give it enough time, but Crawford really failed to use the little time he really had to make it convincing. He also failed to show of hidden aspects of Willie beforehand in the earliest moments, due to the simple nice guy portrayal he did.
Willie Stark as soon as he becomes a knowledgeable confidant politician he seems to become a completely evil and manipulative one. I think Crawford and the film again are to blame, the film does force this instant transition, but also Crawford almost immediately begins to portray Willie in this evil fashion. Again a failed transition but this does lead to Crawford portrayal as the power hungry Stark. This is by far the best part and aspect of Crawford's performance one that he pretty much fully succeeds with. Crawford has the perfect manipulative command to Willie in his power hungry form. As he smiles gleefully of his new found power clearly enjoying it well. I also thought his smooth control over his sessions where he deals with his enemies are quite effective and believable. Crawford also keeps the right intensity of Willie who dislikes whenever anything is not going his way, again he keeps it smooth and builds his anger but hides in public in the proper slimy politician fashion.
Now Crawford is almost perfect in as the evil Stark well when he is being actually evil, but I really did not entirely buy him as being seen as this great man by the public. Crawford's speeches consists of angered rhetoric, and he lacked a charm in the role necessary I think for his character to completely fool the public in this way. Crawford does indeed put on a false show in public well enough, but I think he needed more charm and charisma to be fully convincing. I also think his many liaisons with many women has the same problem. Yes he is a powerful guy and they easily could be attracted to that, but the utter devotion seems a little hard to believe, due to the lack of charisma he shows especially in the scenes with the women. Crawford mostly did character work and perhaps that is what suited him best. If he only had to do the evil Willie in a Supporting character role his performance would have been brilliant, but since he is required to show so much with the character's changes and transition his performance falls short overall. His performance is lacking most of the time, but he still excels very well in specific moments.
Thursday, 24 February 2011
Best Actor 1949
John Wayne in Sands of Iwo Jima
Gregory Peck in Twelve O'Clock High
Broderick Crawford in All The King's Men
Richard Todd in The Hasty Heart
Kirk Douglas in Champion
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