Alternate Best Actor 1949: Results

5. Anton Walbrook in The  Queen of Spades - Walbrook's role is a touch limited however he is an effective coldly manipulative Lothario then incredibly entertaining in portraying the glee and madness of his greedy soldier who believes he's found the key to his success.

Best Scene: "MY WIN"

4. Howard Vernon in Le Silence de la Mer - Vernon gives a moving performance within the limits of his film through his humane depiction of a Nazi coming to terms with his situation.

Best Scene: Finally a message.

3. Robert Ryan in The Set-Up - Ryan gives a terrific portrayal of a hopeful desperation of a man trying just for one last shot in the ring.

Best Scene: The Fight

2. Chishū Ryū in Late Spring - Ryū gives such a remarkable modest performance that creates such naturalistic and downright heartbreaking depiction of a man quietly letting go of his daughter.

Best Scene: Peeling the apple.

1. David Farrar in The Small Back Room - Good Predictions Luke, Jackiboyz, RatedRStar and Michael McCarthy. Farrar gives an outstanding complex portrait of a brilliant man, yet one suffering from pain, doubt, and self-pity.

Best Scene: Tearing apart the room.

Update Overall

Next: Review of Juano Hernandez in Intruder in the Dust, and updated Supporting.

Alternate Best Actor 1949: Robert Ryan in The Set-Up

Robert Ryan did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Bill "Stoker" Thompson in The Set-Up.

The Set-Up is a terrific film noir/boxing film that follows a boxing match where everyone is on the fix except for the man who's suppose to take the fall.

Robert Ryan is best known for playing heavies in supporting roles so it is interesting to see him here playing not only the lead but also one of the few characters who is not corrupt in the film. Early on we learn of the setup then we are introduced to Ryan's Stoker as he speaks to his wife Julie (Audrey Totter) before he goes off to fight. One only needs to look at Ryan to see that Stoker is an over the hill boxer as Ryan carries this certain underlying despair in his eyes. Stoker though wishes to fight and even speaks about the fight as a chance to potential greatness in the ring. Ryan is very moving as he carries that despair yet is convincing as Stoker makes such statements. Ryan does not depict this as lying to his wife, but rather unintentionally lying to himself. In his delivery Ryan doesn't invoke really a hope but rather this desperate need for a hope in every statement. Ryan reveals this man just trying to put himself in this optimistic mindset despite always reinforcing that underneath Stoker's feelings of doubt are probably as stronger if not stronger than his wife's. Ryan setups so effectively the state of Stoker before he goes to the arena to prepare, portraying just this man dangling on a thread trying so hard not to fall.

Now Robert Ryan is the lead in the film yet in a very specific manner as he acts as the focal point for what is Robert Wise's rather brilliant portrait of the whole atmosphere around the boxing ring. The film takes a great deal of time with Stoker as he awaits his own matches and watches the other boxers prepare to fight. Ryan makes the most out of every second in this largely reactionary performance. Ryan amplifies every other little snippet of a boxer's story through his performance, and in each of these we get a little more insight into Stoker's own life. In the womanizer coming off a victory, Ryan infuses Stoker with an intense distaste not exactly for the behavior rather reflecting his sorrow over his tense relationship with his wife. In the face of the few boxers who are up and comers Ryan finds this incredibly poignant moments as in his eyes you can see a bit of happiness for the men, as well as in the idea of success at all, but also again that sadness still underlines it as he seems to look at himself in the past when he still had an overt hope. This despair only becomes all the stronger though in watching another washed up boxer being beaten within his life. In every single one of these moments there is such a power to them because of how honestly realizes Stoker's investment in their stories since in some way they are like his own.

Eventually it becomes Stoker's turn for the match where we get one of the most powerfully realized boxing matches ever depicted in a fictional film. It is not quite typical though as we focus on almost everyone in the stadium in addition to having the drama right within the ring with Stoker taking on the younger smug boxer who is in on the fix. Ryan is terrific in this sequence, now Ryan a former amateur boxer is believable in terms of fighting, but he goes far further than that with his performance. Ryan portrays physically a certain type of fight as in every moment there is such an intensity in really the heart he brings in every punch, and every moment of facing his opponent straight on. Ryan in every strikes shows a man fighting for his life in a way finding this strength within still an emotional desperation. I love the fierceness in Ryan's his work suggesting Stoker lashing out against everyone and everything doubting him. When Stoker is told of the fix late in the round Ryan only goes further with this idea revealing such a disdain for the idea, and showing a man doing something for himself. When Stoker achieves knockout it is a great moment though as Ryan depicts physically the sheer exasperation of the fight, but also the instance of pride in a man who has had so few of them. Robert Ryan proves his measure in a leading role, technically against type, by delivering this marvelous bittersweet portrait of this boxer. He does not hesitate in revealing the severity of the desperation and vulnerability of the man, which in turn makes his few moments of happiness and hope deeply affecting.

Alternate Best Actor 1949

And the Nominees Were Not:

Anton Walbrook in The Queen of Spades

David Farrar in The Small Back Room

Robert Ryan in The Set-Up

Howard Vernon in Le Silence de La Mer

Chishū Ryū in Late Spring

And a Special Review of:

Toshiro Mifune in Stray Dog

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1962: Results

5. Robert Duvall in To Kill a Mockingbird - Duvall gives a flawless performance that fully realizes his his pivotal character in a matter of 3 minutes.

Best Scene: His only scene. 

4. Lee Marvin in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance - Marvin gives a memorable villainous turn by being the absolute lout bully that Liberty Valance should be.

Best Scene: The duel. 

3. Tatsuya Nakadai in Sanjuro - Nakadai once again offers a worthy adversary for Toshiro Mifune's nameless samurai, but this time surprisingly strikes up a certain underlying connection between the foes.

Best Scene: The duel. 

2. Robert Ryan in Billy Budd - Ryan gives one of his best performances, giving a chilling portrayal of a sadist, but also manages to find the depth within what compels the man.

Best Scene: Billy tries to comfort Claggart. 

1. Peter Sellers in Lolita - Sellers gives an amazing performance as he's absolutely hilarious, but also manages to be surprisingly unnerving in the role at the same time.

Best Scene: Just a normal guy with a normal face.

7. Arthur Kennedy - Kennedy offers the needed two sides to his character the slightly shallow broadcaster, but as well the sardonic man who is well aware of what he is doing.

Best Scene: "I'll take your bloody picture"

6. Anthony Quayle - Quayle brings surprising depth to his role as he quietly portrays the affecting arc of his character, which is to fully understand who Lawrence really was.

Best Scene: The funeral. 

5. Anthony Quinn - Quinn gives an appropriately larger than life performance capturing the grandeur needed for the role, but importantly finds the right nuance when it is needed.

Best Scene: Tayi and Brighton.

4. Jack Hawkins - Hawkins naturally fulfills the role of the proper British General but goes further in his exploration of his character's relationship with Lawrence.

Best Scene: Allenby convinces Lawrence to take up the fight again.

3. Alec Guinness - As per usual Guinness gives strong work successfully disappearing into his role as well as giving a rather captivating portrait of a quiet yet powerful leader.

Best Scene: Faisal is interviewed.

2. Jose Ferrer - A brilliant one scene wonder as he completely realizes his character's disposition and finds the needed subtext of his scene through his performance.

Best Scene: His scene.

1. Claude Rains - Good predictions mcofra7, and Jackiboyz. Rains gives such an excellent performance as he does not waste a second in creating a fascinating depiction of a smooth political operator.

Best Scene: The ending.

Overall Rank:

1. Peter Sellers in Lolita
2. Robert Ryan in Billy Budd
3. Omar Sharif in Lawrence of Arabia
4. Claude Rains in Lawrence of Arabia
5. Tatsuya Nakadai in Sanjuro 
6. Lee Marvin in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
7. Jose Ferrer in Lawrence of Arabia
8. Brock Peters in To Kill a Mockingbird
9. Alec Guinness in Lawrence of Arabia
10. Robert Duvall in To Kill a Mockingbird
11. Jack Hawkins in Lawrence of Arabia
12. Charles Bickford in Days of Wine and Roses 
13. Burgess Meredith in Advise & Consent
14. Ed Begley in Sweet Bird of Youth 
15. James Gregory in The Manchurian Candidate
16. Anthony Quinn in Lawrence of Arabia
17. Melvyn Douglas in Billy Budd
18. Anthony Quayle in Lawrence of Arabia 
19. Charles Laughton in Advise & Consent
20. Karl Malden in Birdman of Alcatraz
21. Lee Montague in Billy Budd
22. Arthur Kennedy in Lawrence of Arabia
23. Lew Ayres in Advise & Consent
24. Frank Overton in To Kill a Mockingbird
25. Joseph Wiseman in Dr. No 
26. David McCallum in Freud
27. Richard Harris in Mutiny on the Bounty  
28. Woody Strode in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance 
29. Richard Attenborough in All Night Long 
30. Henry Fonda in Advise & Consent
31. John McGiver in The Manchurian Candidate
32. Jack Klugman in Days of Wine and Roses
33. Rentaro Mikuni in Harakiri
34. David McCallum in Billy Budd
35. Edmond O'Brien in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
36. Michael Redgrave in The Loneliness of the Long Distance Runner
37. Khigh Dheigh in The Manchurian Candidate
38. Paul Rogers in Billy Budd
39. Victor Buono in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 
40. Akira Ishihama in Harakiri
41. Walter Pidgeon in Advise & Consent
42. Robert Brown in Billy Budd
43. Gary Cockrell in Lolita
44. John Carradine in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance
45. Yuzo Kayama in Sanjuro
46. John Neville in Billy Budd
47. Jack Kruschen in Cape Fear
48. John Megna in To Kill a Mockingbird 
49. Buddy Hackett in The Music Man 
50. Telly Savalas in Cape Fear
51. Andy Devine in The Man Who Liberty Valance 
52. Martin Balsam in Cape Fear
53. Rip Torn in Sweet Bird of Youth 
54. Takashi Shimura in Sanjuro
55. Hugh Griffith in Mutiny on the Bounty
56. James Anderson in To Kill a Mockingbird
57. Andrew Prine in The Miracle Worker
58. Paul Fix in To Kill a Mockingbird
59. Larry Parks in Freud
60. Wesley Addy in What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? 
61. Telly Savalas in Birdman of Alcatraz
62. Don Murray in Advise & Consent
63. Edmond O'Brien in Birdman of Alcatraz 
64. Henry Silva in The Manchurian Candidate
65. Victor Jory in The Miracle Worker
66. Jack Lord in Dr. No
67. Ron Howard in The Music Man
68. Keith Mitchell in All Night Long

Next Year: 1939 Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1962: Robert Ryan in Billy Budd

Robert Ryan did not receive an Oscar nomination, despite being nominated for a BAFTA, for portraying John Claggart, Master d'Arms in Billy Budd.

Robert Ryan is of course known for being the heavy in so many films, and he once again fulfills this role in Billy Budd. Here he plays one the officers on a British warship, the Master d'Arms who in charge of keeping in line and disciplining the crew. We are introduced to John Claggart at the swearing in of the ship's new recruit, a former merchant seaman, Billy Budd (Terence Stamp). It interesting to note that Ryan is top billed, and I can't help wonder if he was campaigned lead since Stamp was place in supporting. Anyway Ryan instantly establishes Claggart as a man with really the stiffness of authority about him. Ryan's whole manner here is particularly tight and restrictive as he reveals Claggart to be a man who seems as though he is always on duty, that's because he is. In the early scenes aboard the ship Claggart orders around the crew and they instantly comply to any orders that Claggart demands of them. Ryan makes this particularly convincing in the way he effortlessly exudes the menace of Claggart as he seems in charge of the men to the point that they stand up straight from his mere presence. Ryan earns this through the cold dominance he is able to project so well.

As the film progresses we are given more insight into Claggart's methods of controlling the crew. Ryan is extremely effective as he reveals Claggart's way of control, which is very specific in that he only infrequently uses direct physical punishment from himself. Ryan instead reflects a disturbing assurance in Claggart whenever he speaks to the men as he incisively alludes to them his ability to have them flogged whenever he would wish. Ryan is excellent in the way he portrays the way Claggart's cruelty comes with this definite ease since he is a man who is well aware of the power his position gives him. Claggart is occasionally "needed" to rise to more aggressive action though whenever one of the men becomes a bit too free-spirited or worse tries to lay a hand on him. When these moments occur Ryan is downright chilling by bringing this twinkle in his eye as though Claggart has found himself a new project. Ryan is terrific in the way he presents Claggart narrowing on whoever this unlikely man might be, as his glare seems to be squarely on the individual as he takes any chance to inflict pain on the man, occasionally sneaking in something physical when he can.

What is most terrible of all of this is that these targets are shown by Ryan to be when Claggart has found a little way to get what he desires the most. The problem with that is Claggart is a pure sadist who only wishes to use his position to fulfill those desires. There is a great scene for Ryan as he tries to explain why a man must be flogged to the ship's Captain, Vere (Peter Ustinov). Claggart explains the reasons, which the Captain accepts, but attempts to argue to the Captain that the man should get more lashes due to it being war time. Ryan's fantastic because he plays the scene with Claggart giving the report as a proper Naval officer, however Ryan shows this as the facade which wains a bit as he so eagerly attempts to get the number of lashes raised. The flogging itself is brilliantly performed scene by Ryan finding the intense joy in Claggart as he calls out every flog as though he is a man living out a fantasy. The best moment of the scene is when he reaches ten as Ryan presents sheer ecstasy as he almost names an eleventh lash, but must stop himself. Ryan's marvelous by showing the effort Claggart puts in stopping himself as he clenches his teeth hard to keep the words from coming out of his mouth.

Now as being the sadistic authoritarian it can already be said that Ryan gives a great performance, but that's not all there is to his Claggart. We find this out through his relationship with Billy, a man who seems out of place within the grit of the ship through his simple grace and eternal optimism. I love one of Ryan's earliest reactions to Billy as he stares for a rather long time as though he is completely unsure of what to make out of this man. The problem is Billy is just such a unassuming yet perpetually charming individual who almost everyone comes to love because of just how honest his goodness is. He's a man who obviously loves life. This is in striking opposition to Ryan's portrayal of Claggart. Of course Claggart is an unpleasant man to begin with, but Ryan goes further than that. Whenever he's not inflicting pain on another there is a subtle pain Ryan suggests in Claggart himself, as a man who seems to hate the very idea of existence. His causing of suffering for others ends up being the only way to relieve his own. Billy though notices this and there is an amazing scene where Billy attempts basically to cheer Claggart up. Ryan actually manages to be rather moving in this scene as for just a moment shows a glint of pure happiness, as Claggart smiles at Billy's suggestion to keep him company during his lonely watches. Ryan depicts so well that mess of man that Claggart is as he forces himself to reject the notion, and decides that Billy's goodness must be proven false. Ryan finds a sick passion in Claggart as he does his best to break Billy down to his level, a passion like that of zealot trying desperately to affirm his failing beliefs. Ryan is outstanding in his final scene as he presents Claggart giving all of his vile beliefs in a moment as he makes up a story to the captain about Billy being the leader of an attempted mutiny against him. This technically breaks down Billy, not to a bad man, but to commit a violent act simply because he cannot come up with any verbal response to Claggart's lies. Ryan's brief reaction to the attack is perfection as his expression brings a final euphoria to Claggart as though he's been assured in his view of the world. This is an outstanding performance by Robert Ryan, his best villainous turn which is really saying something. He fulfills the need of being the film's fiendish sadist, yet goes much further finding the complexity needed for the character in his portrait of the personal desperation which compels the man.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1962

And the Nominees Were Not:

Robert Ryan in Billy Budd

Peter Sellers in Lolita

Lee Marvin in The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance

Tatsuya Nakadai in Sanjuro

Robert Duvall in To Kill a Mockingbird

Brock Peters in To Kill a Mockingbird

For prediction purposes: Duvall from the mockingbird men.

And for a single review spectacular:

The supporting cast of Lawrence of Arabia:

Arthur Kennedy in Lawrence of Arabia

Claude Rains in Lawrence of Arabia

Jose Ferrer in Lawrence of Arabia

Alec Guinness in Lawrence of Arabia

Anthony Quinn in Lawrence of Arabia

Jack Hawkins in Lawrence of Arabia

Anthony Quayle in Lawrence of Arabia

For prediction purposes, eh rank em all if you wish.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1969: Results

5. Helmut Berger in The Damned - Berger is creepy enough in his role but his presence is oddly muted considering the nature of his role.

Best Scene: His musical number...I guess. 

4. Laurence Olivier in Oh! What a Lovely War - Olivier gives an enjoyable performance as a General who may be just a little too English.

Best Scene: Discussing French generals. 

3. Gene Hackman in Downhill Racer - Hackman manages to steal the film by realizing depth in a character who easily could have been a non-entity.

Best Scene: Eugene chews out David.

2. Robert Ryan in The Wild Bunch - Robert Ryan gives a very effective performance as he creates sympathy for the traitor.

Best Scene: The end scene.

1. Ernest Borgnine in The Wild Bunch - Good predictions Luke, GetDonaldSutherlandAnOscar, RatedRStar, and JackiBoyz. Ernest Borgnine gives a great performance that is almost made through silent reactions. Everything he does adds at least a little something to the film and his chemistry with William Holden is absolutely incredible.

Best Scene: Pike and Dutch at the campfire.

Overall Rank:

1. Ernest Borgnine in The Wild Bunch
2. Gig Young in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?
3. Robert Ryan in The Wild Bunch
4. Jack Nicholson in Easy Rider
5. Gene Hackman in Downhill Racer
6. Laurence Olivier in Oh! What a Lovely War
7. Robert Duvall in True Grit
8. Jackson Beck in Take the Money and Run
9. Noel Coward in The Italian Job
10. Marcel Bozzuffi in Z
11. Red Buttons in They Shoot Horses Don't They?
12. Joe Melia in Oh! What a Lovely War
13. Walter Brennan in Support Your Local Sheriff!
14. Edmond O'Brien in The Wild Bunch
15. Yves Montand in Z
16. Hardy Kruger in The Red Tent
17. Bruce Dern in Support Your Local Sheriff! 
18. Rupert Crosse in The Reivers
19. Michael Redgrave in Oh! What a Lovely War
20. Sean Connery in The Red Tent
21. Jacques Perrin in Z
22. Telly Savalas in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
23. Helmut Griem in The Damned
24. Philippe Noiret in The Assassination Bureau
25. Dennis Hopper in True Grit
26. Jean-Pierre Cassel in Army of Shadows
27. Telly Savalas in The Assassination Bureau
28. Bruce Dern in They Shoot Horses Don't They?
29. Burgess Meredith in The Reivers 
30. Ted Cassidy in Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid
31. Harry Morgan in Support Your Local Sheriff!
32. Paul Meurisse in Army of Shadows
33. Ben Johnson in The Wild Bunch 
34. Warren Oates in The Wild Bunch
35. Benny Hill in The Italian Job 
36. Al Lewis in They Shoot Horses Don't They?
37. Christian Barbier in Army of Shadows
38. Jack MacGowran in Age of Consent
39. Bob Balaban in Midnight Cowboy
40. Marcel Hillaire in Take the Money and Run
41. Desmon Llewelyn in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
42. Jeff Corey in True Grit 
43. Robert Stephens in The Prime if Miss Jean Brodie 
44. Jack Weston in Cactus Flower
45. John McGiver in Midnight Cowboy
46. Bernard Lee in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
47. Ray Walston in Paint Your Wagon 
48. Anthony Quayle in Anne of the Thousand Days 
49. Alan Hewitt  in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
50. Umberto Orsini in The Damned
51. Jack Elam in Support Your Local Sheriff!
52. William Squire in Anne of the Thousand Days
53. Helmut Berger in The Damned
54. Michael Constantine in The Reivers
55. John Colicos in Anne of the Thousand Days 
56. Harve Presnell in Paint Your Wagon
57. George Baker in On Her Majesty's Secret Service
58. William Schallert in The Computer Wore Tennis Shoes
59. Michael Hordern in Anne of the Thousand Days
60. Michael Redgrave in Goodbye, Mr. Chips
61. John Fiedler in True Grit
62. Donald F. Muhich  Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice
63. Gordon Jackson in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie
64. Michael Bryant in Goodbye, Mr. Chips
65. Ernesto Gonzalez in Last Summer 
66. Arnold Stang in Hercules in New York
67. Tim McIntire in The Sterile Cuckoo 
68. Clifton James in The Reivers
69. Rick Lenz in Cactus Flower
70. Glen Campbell in True Grit
71. Ernest Graves in Hercules in New York

Next Year: 1941 Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1969: Robert Ryan in The Wild Bunch

Robert Ryan did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Deke Thornton in The Wild Bunch.

Robert Ryan technically speaking seems to fulfill his often played role, particularly in westerns, that of the villain who's bent on undermining our heroes. Well our heroes The Wild Bunch aren't particularly heroic and Ryan's Thornton is not exactly villainous. We first meet Thornton in the opening scene along with The Wild Bunch as they march into town disguised as soldiers in order to rob a bank. Thornton is not with them rather he is with a group of armed men hiding on the top of a building which overlooks the bank. Ryan establishes Thornton's nature quite effectively in this initial scene as he does not express the determination presented in William Holden's performance as Pike the leader of the bunch, or the obvious blood lust found on the other men in the roof with Thornton. Ryan rather exudes a certain disdain Thornton has as he watches the men ride into to town, clearly in no way relishing what is about to take place, as well as clearly has no love for any of the present company he shares.

When the massacre of a shootout occurs Ryan is excellent in the one moments where Thornton clearly has a good shot on Pike but hesitates to take it. Ryan's reaction is perfection as you see in his eyes an understanding towards Pike and he effectively gives a window into his past with Pike. The reason they have a past though is because Thornton was a former member of the bunch before he was captured mainly due to Pike's own carelessness. Ryan does not show ill will towards Pike being the cause of going along with a railroad man's attempt to take down the gang. This rather comes from his desire never again to return to prison where in a quick flashback we see he was flogged. Ryan is very good in the brief moment where Thornton expresses this desire as in the words he realizes the obvious pain and horrible treatment he received in prison. Although we only see one thing he suffered from in the prison Ryan manages to suggest far more. Ryan does well in the moment as he honestly makes Thornton particularly sympathetic, and honestly his motivation is technically far more noble than the bunch who really just want money.

Ryan's very good in portraying Thornton though as essentially the only competent person who is on the trail of the bunch since the men he has to work with seem a bit too focused on their prize. Ryan's does well to express the exasperation in Thornton whether it's directly to the railroad man, or just in his silent distaste in the men's attitude. Ryan again elicits the right sort of sympathy as his passionate hate reflects just how uncouth and incompetent the posse he is given are, but as well exudes that frustration of a man forced to do something he has no desire to do. What Ryan also does particularly well though is create the competence in Thornton with his performance. Thornton constantly saying the men with him essentially are scum, sometimes right in their general vicinity, could make just seem like the foolish villain himself. Ryan though creates the intelligence in Thornton particularly well in the scenes where he attempts to stop the bunch. Ryan's short moments before the start or during the action are superb as he shows Ryan makes it so Thornton's superiority over his men is a well earned given.

The best part of Ryan's performance though is the way he keeps Thornton's relationship with the bunch as a constant even though there is only a single scene where he directly speaks with a member, and past that even the only flashback is only a very short one where he barely interacts with Pike. Ryan though effortlessly finds the connection between Thornton and the men in every instance. When he sees them succeed and ride off in any instance Ryan is excellent in exuding that nostalgia in the men. What I find the most interesting though is that Ryan does not exactly play it as though Thornton wants to be doing exactly what they're doing per se. Rather what Ryan seems to realize though is a longing to be free in Thornton above else, and to be able to be the man he once was. A great moment of his performance is at the end of the film after the bunch takes on about a hundred men too many. Ryan does play the scene as an overt sadness in Thornton but is very moving by playing it as though Thornton accepting that they finally faced the inevitable on their own terms. This is very strong work  from the underrated Ryan and his final reaction is a great sendoff essentially for the bunch as he seems to exhibit one last reminder of the camaraderie they once had.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1969

And the Nominees Were Not:

Gene Hackman in Downhill Racer

Helmut Berger in The Damned

Laurence Olivier in Oh! What a Lovely War

Ernest Borgnine in The Wild Bunch

Robert Ryan in The Wild Bunch

Alternate Best Supporting 1948: Results

5. Lionel Barrymore in Key Largo- Barrymore gives a good performance who brings appropriate weight to the situations of his film.

Best Scene: Temple literally stands up to Rocco. 

4. Robert Ryan in Act of Violence- A limited but effective turn of man filled with hate but also haunted by horrors.

Best Scene: Joe tells about his connection with Frank. 

3. James Stewart in Rope- Although he was miscast Stewart though still gives it his all and manages to still deliver an effective turn.

Best Scene: Cadell sees what his theories has created. 

2. Edward G. Robinson in Key Largo- The role fits like a glove and Robinson properly delivers as the villainous gangster.

Best Scene: Rocco tries to ignore the hurricane. 

1. Alec Guinness in Oliver Twist- Guinness is almost invisible in his role as Fagin through his natural depiction of the character's age and particular manner. He only adds to through his ability to be warm and charming while being an evil schemer.

Best Scene: Fagin catches Oliver looking at his treasure chest. 

Overall Rank:

1. Walter Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
2. Robert Donat in The Winslow Boy
3. Alec Guinness in Oliver Twist
4. Edward G. Robinson in Key Largo
5. James Stewart in Rope
6. Ralph Richardson in Anna Karenina 
7. Lionel Barrymore in Key Largo
8. Ward Bond in Fort Apache 
9. William Hartnell in Brighton Rock
10. Thomas Gomez in Force of Evil
11. Cedric Hardwicke in The Winslow Boy
12. Pat O'Brien in The Boy with the Green Hair
13. Marcel Andre in Les Parents Terribles
14. Richard Widmark in The Street With No Name
15. Alastair Sim in London Belongs to Me
16. Enzo Staiola in Bicycle Thieves
17. Richard Conte in Call Northside 777
18. Walter Brennan in Blood on the Moon
19. Pedro Armendariz in 3 Godfathers
20. Charles Laughton in The Big Clock
21. Lon Chaney Jr. in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 
22. George Macready in The Big Clock
23. Richard Widmark in Yellow Sky
24. Ernst Pittschau in Germany, Year Zero
25. Bela Lugosi in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein 
26. Cecil Kellaway in The Luck of the Irish
27. Richard Haydn in Sitting Pretty 
28. James Barton in Yellow Sky
29. Dan O'Herlihy in Macbeth
30. Denis O'Dea in The Fallen Idol
31. Robert Preston in Blood on the Moon
32. Jack Hawkins in The Fallen Idol
33. Melvyn Douglas in Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House
34. Basil Sydney in Hamlet 
35. Leo Genn in The Snake Pit  
36. Reisaburo Yamamoto in Drunken Angel
37. Charles Bickford in Johnny Belinda
38. Erich Gühne in Germany, Year Zero
39. Walter Brennan in Red River
40. Henry Stephenson in Oliver Twist
41. Stanley Holloway in Hamlet 
42. Marcel Journet in Letter From an Unknown Woman
43. Thomas Gomez in Key Largo  
44. Bruce Bennett in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
45. Marius Goring in The Red Shoes
46. Victor McLaglen in Fort Apache
47. Lee J. Cobb in Call Northside 777
48. Cedric Hardwicke in Rope  
49. Louis Jourdan in Letter From an Unknown Woman
50. Victor Mature in Cry of the City
51. Ward Bond in 3 Godfathers
52. Mark Stevens in The Snake Pit
53. Edgar Kennedy in Unfaithfully Yours
54. David Wayne in Portrait of Jennie
55. Terence Morgan in Hamlet
56. Anthony Newley in Oliver Twist 
57. Millard Mitchell in A Foreign Affair
58. Burt Lancaster in Sorry Wrong Number
59. Robert Newton in Oliver Twist
60. Felix Aylmer in Hamlet
61. Walter Burke in The Naked City
62. Francis L. Sullivan in Oliver Twist
63. Roddy McDowall in Macbeth 
64. Lionel Strander in Unfaithfully Yours 
65. Robert Ryan in The Boy with the Green Hair
66. Norman Wooland in Hamlet
67. Bernard Miles in The Guinea Pig
68. Stephen McNally in Johnny Belinda 
69. Harry Lewis in Key Largo
70. Alfonso Bodoya in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre
71. Alan Napier in Johnny Belinda
72. John Rodney in Key Largo
73. Ed Begley in Sorry Wrong Number
74. Barton MacLane in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre 
75. Harry Carey Jr. in 3 Godfathers
76. Paul Fix in Force of Evil 
77. Lloyd Nolan in The Street With No Name
78. John Ireland in Red River
79. Monte Blue in Key Largo
80. Oskar Homolka in I Remember Mama
81. Jose Ferrer in Joan of Arc
82. John Agar in Fort Apache
83. Glenn Strange in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
84. Douglas Dick in Rope
85. Frank Ferguson in Abbott and Costello Meet Frankenstein
86. Kieron Moore in Anna Karenina

Next Year: 1963 lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1948: Robert Ryan in Act of Violence

Robert Ryan did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Joe Parkson in Act of Violence.

Act of Violence is an effective film noir about an apparent war hero, former P.O.W, and popular family man Frank (Van Heflin) who is being stalked by one other P.O.W who has a vendetta to fulfill.

Robert Ryan plays the other pow who is trying to track down Frank clearly to kill him. At first we know nothing about Joe other than he is a man with a limp and he clearly has a great determination in him. Ryan was the perfect choice for this role particularly for these early scenes and his knack for playing villains. Ryan with ease conveys a menace in him and is the dark specter Joe should be who haunts Frank. There is a strength just in his determined yet pained face. It is not something you might expect from a killer, he is haunted but his dark purpose is just as clear. This is not one of Ryan's usual heavy roles though and there is an honest strong motivation to the man's hate for the "war hero".

The truth behind Joe's hate is that Frank betrayed all of the other men in the prisoner of war camp including Joe which ended up with all of them being killed and Joe being injured. Ryan is very good in the scene where he reveals this to Frank's wife because it is less of revelation and more of allowing us to understand what haunts the man. Ryan has a strong intensity here and establishes that his intention is almost something more than personal for him but is rather a justice for all of the men whose deaths were caused by Frank. Ryan is very good because although he never seems to be the "good guy" in the film he very much shows the moral outrage that Joe feels from the situation.

This is a fairly short performance and one that is very much to the point, but it is a well handled. Ryan is very good in being almost just a ghost in a film one that both haunts and is haunted. I would say the biggest weakness not with Ryan's performance but with the character is the sub plot involving Joe's own romantic interest who tries to pull him from his vendetta. I just think it all would have been more powerful if it was clear that Joe was all alone and his revenge was all he had left in life after his tragic past. Nevertheless Ryan's performance strikes up the right balance between the hate Joe intends to inflict and the pain he feels from the past so that the last minute change in Joe is both believable and is rather moving. Although I do think the character could have been even better Ryan does do the best he can with the material he has.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1948

And the Nominees Were Not:

Robert Ryan in Act of Violence

Alec Guinness in Oliver Twist

James Stewart in Rope

Edward G. Robinson in Key Largo

Lionel Barrymore in Key Largo

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1973: Results

5. Max von Sydow in The Exorcist- Sydow has a limited role but properly gives the weight and power to his role.


Best Scene: Father Merrin sees the demonic statue in the desert. 

4. Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green- His film is not much but Robinson gives a heartfelt performance that brings dramatic weight to a film sorely lacking in it otherwise.

Best Scene: Sol's euthanasia scene.

3. Robert De Niro in Mean Streets- De Niro gives an effectively manic performance that infuses a childlike enthusiasm that works perfectly for the part.

Best Scene: Johnny Boy threatens the man he owes money to. 

2. Robert Ryan in The Iceman Cometh- Ryan gives a powerful performance piercing through the film by realizing his character's cynicism brilliantly by always managing to show that this comes from his broken dreams.

Best Scene: Larry's final speech. 

1. Robert Shaw in The Sting- Good Prediction Lezlie. This was a difficult choice to make as Ryan and Shaw are both incredible Ryan realizing his complex character brilliantly, but Shaw making so much out of a part that is so little. For the moment the win goes to Shaw showing why he is my favorite supporting actor ever tearing into scenes with such conviction, and giving a striking villianous turn.

Best Scene: "The name's Lonnegan Doyle Lonnegan you're gonna remember that name."

Overall Rank:

1. Robert Shaw in The Sting
2. Robert Ryan in The Iceman Cometh
3. Paul Newman in The Sting
   
4. Robert De Niro in Mean Streets
5. Edward G. Robinson in Soylent Green
6. Richard Jordan in The Friends of Eddie Coyle
7. Cyril Cusack in The Homecoming
8. Christopher Lee in The Wicker Man
9. Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye
10. Max von Sydow in The Exorcist 
11. Ralph Richardson in A Doll's House
12. Ian Bannen in The Offence
13. Mark Rydell in The Long Goodbye
14. James Mason in The Last of Sheila
15. Trevor Howard in Ludwig
16. Harold Gould in The Sting
17. Denholm Elliott in A Doll's House
18. Peter Boyle in The Friends of Eddie Coyle
19. Hal Holbrook in Magnum Force
    
20. Michael Jayston in The Homecoming
21. Michael Lonsdale in The Day of the Jackal
22. Jeff Bridges in The Iceman Cometh
23. Yul Brynner in Westworld 
24. Bob Bingham in Jesus Christ Superstar
25. Kurt Yaghjian in Jesus Christ Superstar
26. James Coburn in The Last of Sheila  
27. Harry Dean Stanton in Dillinger
    
28. Jean-Pierre Leaud in Day For Night
29. Robert De Niro in Bang the Drum Slowly
30. Charles Durning in The Sting 
31. Barry Dennen in Jesus Christ Superstar 
32. Lee J. Cobb in The Exorcist 
33. Henry Gibson in The Long Goodbye
34. Peter Ustinov in Robin Hood  
35. Richard Dreyfuss in American Graffiti
36. Alex Rocco in The Friends of Eddie Coyle 
37. Trevor Howard in The Offence
38. Peter Egan in The Hireling
39. Paul Sorvino in A Touch of Class
40. Francois Truffaut in Day For Night
41. James Mason in The Mackintosh Man 
42. Paul Le Mat in American Graffiti
43. Steven Keats in The Friends of Eddie Coyle
44. Eiji Okada in Lady Snowblood
45. Yaphet Kotto in Live and Let Die  
46. Fredric March in The Iceman Cometh
47. Vincent Gardenia in Bang the Drum Slowly 
48. Lee Marvin in The Iceman Cometh 
49. Charles Martin Smith in American Graffiti
50. Ian Bannen in The Mackintosh Man
51. Ray Walston in The Sting 
    
52. Eli Wallach in Cinderella Liberty 
53. Richard Dreyfuss in Dillinger
    
54. Tony Roberts in Serpico 
55. Otis Young in The Last Detail
56. Randy Quaid in The Last Detail 
57. Robert Earl Jones in The Sting
58. John Houseman in The Paper Chase 
    
59. Richard Benjamin in The Last of Sheila
60. John Hillerman in Paper Moon
61. Richard Romanus in Mean Streets 
62. Ralph Richardson in O Lucky Man!
    
63. Joe Don Baker in Charley Varrick 
64. Larry Marshall in Jesus Christ Superstar 
65. Lindsay Anderson in O Lucky Man!
    
66. Jack Gilford in Save the Tiger  
67. Ian McShane in The Last of Sheila
68. Philip Stone in O Lucky Man!
    
69. Charles Durning in Sisters 
70. Phil Harris in Robin Hood
71. Arthur Lowe in O Lucky Man!
    
72. Geoffrey Holder in Live and Let Die
73. Philip Toubus in Jesus Christ Superstar
74. William O'Malley in The Exorcist 
75. Charles Tyner in Emperor of the North Pole
76. John Vernon in Charley Varrick
77. Robert Morley in Theatre of Blood
    
78. Bob Dylan in Pat Garrett and Billy The Kid 
79. Ernest Borgnine in Emperor of the North Pole
80. William Finley in Sisters 
81. Milo O'Shea in Theatre of Blood
    
82. Andy Robinson in Charley Varrick
83. John Moulder-Brown in Ludwig
84. James Brolin in Westworld 
85. Don Gordon in Papillon
86. Billy Curtis in High Plains Drifter
87. Juan Margallo in The Spirit of the Beehive
88. Toshio Kurosawa in Lady Snowblood
89. Josh Mostel in Jesus Christ Superstar
90. Jack MacGowran in The Exorcist
91. Harry Andrews in The Mackintosh Man
92. Ko Nishimura in Lady Snowblood 
93. Randy Quaid in Paper Moon
94. Ron Howard in American Graffiti
95. Leo McKern in Massacre in Rome
96. Robert Deman in Papillon
97. Burt Young in Cinderella Liberty
98. Shih Kien in Enter the Dragon
99. Alan Oppenheimer in Westworld
100. Julius Harris in Live and Let Die 
101. Tony Lo Bianco in The Seven-Ups 
102. Kirk Calloway in Cinderella Liberty
103. John Saxon in Enter the Dragon
104. Graham Beckel in The Paper Chase
105. Steve Franken in Westworld 
106. Bradford Dilman in The Way We Were 
107. Jim Kelly in Enter the Dragon
108. Clifton James in Live and Let Die
109. Renato Salvatori in A Brief Vacation