Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1976: Hal Holbrook in All The President's Men

Hal Holbrook did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying "deep throat" in All The President's Men.

A funny thing about Hal Holbrook's casting is that its an actual clue to the real life mystery, at the time of the film's release, of who exactly Deep Throat really was. Deep Throat being Bob Woodward's (played by Robert Redford in the film) secretive source who held some high position within the U.S. government and was privy to much of the top secret information related to Watergate. Hal Holbrook was the only choice for the role as chosen by the real Bob Woodward, and Holbrook happens just to look a bit like the man who eventually was claimed to be the real Deep Throat, Mark Felt. Well his resemblance probably should be put aside though, since though it was meaningful to reality it was meaningless to the film other than it allowed for Holbrook to give the performance that he does give. Holbrook's introduction is originally through voice only, which is a short moment since all he does is avoid commenting on Watergate, instead he sets up a secret meeting with Woodward through a complex and secretive process that eventually leads Woodward to a parking garage.

Although his initial vocal appearance was unceremonious, Holbrook's first physical appearance is one of the most memorable images of the film as a figure drenched in shadow with only a cigarette to grant him light. Even as Woodward grows close the man only known as Deep Throat still stays mostly obscured by the darkness. Deep Throat is such a striking image with the most visible part of the man being Holbrook's piercing eyes looking directly at Woodward. Holbrook does not waste this introduction as his performance seems to fit right into his surroundings. Holbrook's voice is cold as engages Woodward on what information he exactly wants. There is a harshness about his delivery though within that though within it there seems to be the truth. The whole demeanor Holbrook gives Deep Throat is brilliant created by him. There is a considerable intelligence that he exudes as Woodward tells him what he knows, and in his reaction Holbrook suggests so eloquently that he knows so much more than what he is being told yet. In that there is a slight smile in his face as he tells Woodward essentially the White House is not as smart as they are made out to be, and in that certain understated venom as he describes this Holbrook alludes to perhaps a personal vendetta in Deep Throat which may be his motivation for helping Woodward.

What's so fascinating about Holbrook's work is that he never loses any of the character's mystery while still giving a uniquely emotional details within the man. One instance of this is when Deep Throat goes into detail of a disturbing story on Gordon Liddy, one of the men involved with Watergate in someway. Holbrook is outstanding as he conveys almost a fear as he describes his story which involves Liddy purposefully burning his own hand, as for that moment Deep Throat is trying to convey to Woodward as well perhaps himself, the potential danger in the men they are dealing with. Holbrook's second appearance actually does not come until over an hour later, although you certainly have not forgotten his existence. This is one of those performances that is just so captivating to watch as Holbrook takes on this enigmatic style so flawlessly. Honestly the ever so slight form of flamboyancy around the character could have easily faltered quite poorly, but Holbrook executes it so perfectly that it never does. Holbrook is terrific in his second appearance as gives Deep Throat even more of edge as he there is a certain viciousness in his words and in the intensity in Holbrook almost as though he is antagonizing Woodward in order to motivate him to find the exact truth. Holbrook's final appearance comes near the  end of the film after it seems Woodward and Bernstein have made a mistake. Halbrook is once again outstanding, and even though this particular appearance is rather brief, it not way diminishes the considerable impact of the moment. In an instance Halbrook creates such an overwhelming sense of paranoia as he no longer that cold assurance about him, and conveys are more apparent fear as he warns Woodward that their lives may be in danger. Once again Holbrook adds so much to the film within almost not time at all helping to realize three of the best scenes in this great film. All three of his scenes are masterfully portrayed by Holbrook as he, almost serves the role of Deep Throat, by providing us enough to pull us in and make the story all the more compelling while never losing the mystique that makes him such a fascinating figure, and this such a fascinating performance.