Charles Bickford plays the local priest who is very skeptical of Bernadette's sightings of a divine woman. Bickford's performance is not a particularly complex character. He is at first very hard on Bernadette since he does not believe her story. Bickford I suppose is appropriately strict at the begining of the film. Later on he shows his faith though when he eventually comes around to believing Bernadette.
There really is not any sort of transition to be seen in Bickford's performance nor is there one written though. The priest's change is almost instant. Bickford never becomes that interesting though after he becomes on her side he becomes a passionate supporter, and Bickford is appropriately passionate. When Bickford is suppose to be tender though Bickford seems always a little too rough still to really bring the right emotions to the situations near the end of the film. Bickford overall really is not bad but his part is too limited to ever really be compelling.
3 comments:
My predictions have failed I think lol Naish seems more likely to be third
I thought he was superb!
What did you think of Gladys Cooper as the mean nun Sister Vazuous. I thought she did an outstanding job showing the powerful transition from a self-righteous Pharisee to a penitent--that scene where she kneels before the crucifix begging forgiveness for her sins will never leave my mind.
Who do you think deserved Best Supporting Actress of 1943 more Gladys Cooper or Katina Paxinou?
I feel pretty certain if Cooper didn't have to cancel out with Anne Revere she would have won it and deservedly so.
Post a Comment