Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1973 Results

5. Yul Brynner in Westworld -  Brynner is easily the highlight of his film giving a chilling portrayal of an unstoppable android.

Best Scene: The gunslinger wins. 

4. Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye - Hayden gives a terrific performance portraying the boisterous man attempting to love life, well in reality only hiding the sad man that hates it.

Best Scene: Wade has to pay a fee.

3. Christopher Lee in The Wicker Man - Lee grants the grandiose menace needed for his island leader of pagans, but adds subtle nuance to his character and film by showing the underlying motivations of the man as well.

Best Scene: Just before the sacrifice.

2. Cyril Cusack in The Homecoming - Cusack gives a quietly brilliant performance as seemingly the only non-miserable soul in a house through his realization of a sunny demeanor which alludes to a complex relationship with his family.

Best Scene: Words of warning.

1. Richard Jordan in The Friends of Eddie Coyle - Good Predictions Luke, Charles, Tahmeed, Michael Patison, Michael McCarthy, and Omar. Richard Jordan gives a fantastic performance by so cruelly realizing the tactics of his law officers which would be the style of a heroic cop in a different film.

Best Scene: Foley tells Eddie some bad news.

Updated Overall
Next Year: 1984 Lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1973: Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye

Sterling Hayden did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Roger Wade in The Long Goodbye.

Sterling Hayden is best known for his cold tough guy roles in films like The Killing and The Asphalt Jungle, even his best performance in Dr. Strangelove is a subversion of that idea. His performance in The Long Goodbye is a complete departure from that type. We first see Roger Wade, a successful novelist, as Elliott Gould's Philip Marlowe finds him staying in a shady rehab center for celebrities with drug and alcohol problems. Marlowe gets him out and returns him home to his wife, but that doesn't mean Roger's all okay. Hayden's work is unlike any other performance I've seen of his in his portrayal of the mess of the man that is Roger Wade. Hayden's performance though isn't just of any trouble man it's sort of a Ernest Hemingway pseudo genius who happens to also be a complete drunkard. Hayden's terrific in bringing to life that sort of grand larger than life personality. Apparently Hayden was in reality drunk and high throughout the shoot, well this is one time where it actually works out. Hayden doesn't just wear it well he kind of glories in it as he should in this role. Hayden plays the way Wade projects himself as just a guy loving life. Hayden is this curiously endearing bundle of life in his portrayal as he never feels over the top it only feels natural to the state of man that Roger is. Now the reason Hayden's apparent intoxication works here is because this is not just a performance to watch to be a mess. Hayden's work is surprising in its level nuance particularly given the circumstances supposedly behind the performance.

Hayden though with company brings that whole lively boisterous routine, but it definitely hiding something as he underlines it with such unease whenever he speaks alone with his wife. His scene we see alone with his wife it is rather striking to see such a sensitive and vulnerable Hayden as he reveals the insecurities of the Wade who in reality isn't enjoying life in the least. Hayden shows that most of the time though Wade hides a sadness in front of other that is until  his former doctor (Henry Gibson) comes to collect a bill. Hayden surprisingly heartbreaking in this scene by starting with Wade trying to work through by yelling at the man but as the doctor is not deterred Hayden reveals the facade of Wade's deteriorate. There is such a powerful sorrow that Hayden brings by withdrawing himself, losing that boisterousness, portraying this self-examination in his eyes that forces Wade into this lonely place. What happens to Wade in the end is made an unfortunate inevitability by Sterling Hayden fantastic performance. Hayden goes against his usual style so effectively to create this tragic figure of a man whose disposition cannot hide his depression.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1973

And the Nominees Were Not:

Richard Jordan in The Friends of Eddie Coyle

Sterling Hayden in The Long Goodbye

Yul Brynner in Westworld

Christopher Lee in The Wicker Man

Cyril Cusack in The Homecoming

Alternate Best Actor 1956: Results

5. Paul Newman in Somebody Up There Likes Me - Newman frankly tries a bit too hard in the role luckily his natural charm and talent makes up for it.

Best Scene: Rocky proposes.

4. Sterling Hayden in The Killing - Sterling Hayden gives a very efficient performance managing to establish his character while moving along with the film's particularly brisk pace.

Best Scene: Johnny accepts his fate.

3. Toshiro Mifune in Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island - Mifune gives a satisfying final performance as Miyamoto Musashi naturally rounding off the character to a true master who values peace even more than his prowess with the sword.

Best Scene: The titular duel.

2. John Wayne in The Searchers - John Wayne gives an outstanding performance as a bitter man driven by hate, and brilliantly subverts his usual western hero image.

Best Scene: They figure out the Comanche's plan.

1. James Mason in Bigger Than Life - Good Predictions GetDonaldSutherlandAnOscar, Jackiboyz, and Luke. I can make a sigh of relief in finally giving the victory to one of my favorite actors James Mason although he did have some very strong competition from both John Wayne and Kirk Douglas. Mason though stands as my favorite for his chilling yet heartbreaking depiction of the transformation of a decent man to a psychotic.

Best Scene: Ed decides on the solution for his son. 

Overall Rank:

1. James Mason in Bigger Than Life
2. John Wayne in The Searchers
3. Kirk Douglas in Lust For Life
4. Eli Wallach in Baby Doll
5. Alastair Sim in The Green Man
6. Toshiro Mifune in Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island
7. Henry Fonda in The Wrong Man
8. Sterling Hayden in The Killing
9. James Stewart in The Man Who Knew Too Much 
10. Van Heflin in Patterns
11. Jack Palance in Attack
12. Clifton Webb in The Man Who Never Was
13. Koji Tsuruta in Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island 
14. Brandon De Wilde in Goodbye, My Lady
15. George Cole in The Green Man
16. Humphrey Bogart in The Harder They Fall 
17. Karl Malden in Baby Doll
18. Tom Ewell in The Girl Can't Help It
19. Paul Newman in Somebody Up There Likes Me
20. Rock Hudson in Giant
21. William Smithers in Attack
22. Cantinflas in Around The World in Eighty Days
23. Gary Cooper in Friendly Persuasion
24. Burt Lancaster in The Rainmaker
25. Dean Jagger in X: The Unknown
26. Charlton Heston in The Ten Commandments
27. Raymond Burr in Godzilla, King of the Monsters
28. Yul Brynner in Anastasia 
29. Jose Ferrer in The Great Man 
30. Desi Arnaz in Forever Darling
31. Gregory Peck in Moby Dick 
32. Rock Hudson in Written on the Wind
33. Gregory Peck in The Man in the Grey Flannel Suit
34. Wendell Corey in The Bold and the Brave
35. Jeffrey Hunter in The Searchers
36. Don Taylor in The Bold and the Brave
37. Yul Brynner in The King And I
38. Bing Crosby in High Society
39. Frank Sinatra in High Society
40. David Niven in Around The World in Eighty Days
41. Don Murray in Bus Stop
42. John Wayne in The Conqueror

Next Year: 1956 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1956: Sterling Hayden in The Killing

Sterling Hayden did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Johnny Clay in The Killing.

The Killing is terrific heist film, well except for the unfortunate studio mandated narration, about a group of men who come up with a complex scheme to make off with a huge sum of money from a race track.

Sterling Hayden is no stranger to the heist film in fact the last time I review a lead performance by him it was for the Asphalt Jungle where he also played one of the men in a complex heist. In that film though Hayden played the guy who was only there to be the muscle and just was considered to be a thug. Hayden takes almost the opposite role this time playing the brains behind the operation. Hayden makes this considerable leap quite effectively actually. Hayden is of course still the always imposing specimen but Hayden adjust his performance well to no longer being the thug. Hayden honestly just comes off as a lot smarter of a sort here quite naturally. This is even before he says much of anything but instead of carrying the bluntness harshness of the muscle he carries the confidence of the brains. Hayden effortlessly setting up the character of Johnny Clay as he does is quite essential as The Killing is an extremely tightly wound thriller in that it basically goes from one essential point to another essential point with the utmost precision.

Hayden's performance really is all about efficiency here as everything has to be very much to the point. Well is pretty terrific here in playing that style. He's a master of the hard bitten dialogue that Johnny Clay has as he sets up every part of the plot, giving each gang member their duty, and even hiring an extra guy to shoot a horse for an extra bit of distraction. Hayden delivers these well as he shows that above else Johnny's a true professional. Hayden plays it with a certain cool style that's really quite effective while bringing a certain edge to still convey the dark territory his plan involves. Hayden though never makes it feel like simple expository dialogue, even though technically that's what much of it is. Hayden brings a life to it in his whole demeanor. He is the professional but Hayden also brings a life around the words really. A particularly like the scene where he hires the horse assassin as Hayden just brings something a bit extra that's hard to describe, but it makes the whole scene play out in a far more interesting way than simply just getting part of the plot ready to go.

There is even some emotionality to this performance which is also very brief and to the point. Johnny has a girl who we spend a little time with near the beginning of the film. It's not overly emotional but Hayden is convincing in still setting up the relationship, and creates enough of an investment to care about the two of them potentially making it off with the cash. In addition there is a scene just before the eventual heist where he speaks to one of his guys as they are about to go off to perform their individual parts of the mission. There is suddenly a sweet moment where between Johnny and one of the elderly partners in the plot and they have sort of a heart to heart. Well Hayden absolutely delivers in the moment making it a surprisingly poignant scene. In just really a second Hayden realizes the whole surrogate father son type relationship between the two which really was not given much time at all before this point. Hayden makes it feel natural to Johnny and natural to the film, and again it is only a very brief moment.

In terms of the actual heist Hayden certainly knows how to make movement spellbinding as he carries these scenes especially while despite only having some relatively lines to go with him. His best scene though comes at the end of the film when he's trying to leave the country with a very large container of cash. Hayden's great in portraying the stress within the attempt to stay cal as he tries to talk the airport to allowing him to carry the very large suitcase. Then eventually when the misfortune involving the suitcase Hayden is just about in portraying Johnny's reaction of disbelief as well as urgency as he knows he has to get out of there fast. This is only trumped by his brilliant last moment where Johnny, rather than fighting or running, accepts his fate knowing there's no point in escape. Hayden is quietly moving in showing basically the professional Johnny being professional to the bitter end. This is not the easiest performance to review, even though I really liked it, because it seems so simple yet that's kinda the magic in the performance. Hayden hits every note of his character so quickly yet so flawlessly and stays compelling every minute he is on screen.

Alternate Best Actor 1956

And the Nominees Were Not:

James Mason in Bigger Than Life

Sterling Hayden in The Killing

John Wayne in The Searchers

Toshiro Mifune in Samurai III: Duel At Ganryu Island

Paul Newman in Somebody Up There Likes Me

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1964: Results

5. Frank Overton in Fail-Safe- Overton gives a moving performance as a General who must deal with a Nuclear crises as well as a hostile room of men.

Best Scene: General Bogan speaks with his Russian counterpart.

4. Nigel Green in Zulu- Green gives a strong performance as a career soldier who has the utmost conviction in his code.

Best Scene: Sergeant Bourne calls out the roster.

3. Fredric March in Seven Days in May- March gives possibly the best performance of his career in his assured and remarkable depiction of the President of the United States who must prevent a coup.

Best Scene: President Lyman confronts General Scott.

2. George C. Scott in Dr. Strangelove- Scott's performance is pure comedic gold as an off the wall General who he appropriately plays in an off the wall fashion. Scott's whole performance is one great risk that completely pays off.

Best Scene: Turgidson gives his own thoughts on what they should do.

1. Sterling Hayden in Dr. Strangelove - Sterling Hayden gives a hilarious performance where he does not exactly play it straight nor does he play it funny, but whatever he does do it's perfect. My win is Hayden as I enjoyed his performance the most on this watch although if I watched it again I might switch over to Scott.

Best Scene: Ripper asks Mandrake about being tortured. 

Overall Rank:

1. Sterling Hayden in Dr. Strangelove
2. George C. Scott in Dr. Strangelove
3. Fredric March in Seven Days in May
4. Christopher Plummer in The Fall of the Roman Empire
5. David Tomlinson in Mary Poppins 
6. Alan Bates in The Caretaker
   
7. Shailen Mukherjee in Charulata
8. Nigel Green in Zulu
9. Frank Overton in Fail-Safe
   
10. Keenan Wynn in Dr. Strangelove
11. Karl Malden in Dead Ringer
12. Gian Maria Volonté in A Fistful of Dollars
13. Jack Hawkins in Zulu 
14. Burt Lancaster in Seven Days in May  
15. Dan O'Herlihy in Fail-Safe
16. Patrick Magee in Zulu
17. Wilfrid Brambell in A Hard Day's Night
18. John Gielgud in Becket
19. Stanley Holloway in My Fair Lady
20. Slim Pickens in Dr. Strangelove 
21. James Booth in Zulu 
22. Walter Matthau in Fail-Safe
23. Lee Tracy in The Best Man
    
24. Edmond O'Brien in Seven Days in May 
25. Peter Finch in The Girl with Green Eyes
    
26. Umberto Spadaro in Seduced and Abandoned
27. James Mason in The Fall of the Roman Empire
    
28. Kei Satō in Onibaba
29. James Stewart in Cheyenne Autumn
    
30. John Mills in The Chalk Garden
31. Tatsuya Nakadai in Kwaidan 
32. Anthony Franciosa in Rio Conchos
    
33. Gert Fröbe in Goldfinger 
    
34. Robert Morley in Topkapi 
35. Robert Earl Jones in One Potato, Two Potato
    
36. Larry Hagman in Fail-Safe
37. Peter Bull in Dr. Strangelove
38. Martin Balsam in Seven Days in May 
39. Trevor Howard in Father Goose
    
40. Paul Scofield in The Train   
41. Aldo Puglisi in Seduced and Abandoned
    
42. Ed Wynn in Mary Poppins
43. Leo McKern in King & Country
44. Gert van den Bergh in Zulu  
45. Dick Van Dyke in What a Way to Go
46. James Coburn in The Americanization of Emily
47. Alec Guinness in The Fall of the Roman Empire
    
48. Lando Buzzanca in Seduced and Abandoned
    
49. Percy Herbert in Guns at Batasi
50. Cecil Kellaway in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte
51. Herbert Lom in A Shot in the Dark
52. John Junkin in A Hard Day's Night
53. José Calvo in A Fistful of Dollars
    
54. Jack Hawkins in Guns at Batasi
55. Errol John in Guns at Batasi
56. John Houseman in Seven Days in May 
57. Melvyn Douglas in The Americanization of Emily
    
58. Arthur O'Connell in 7 Faces of Dr. Lao
    
59. Robert Mitchum in What a Way to Go 
60. Yaphet Kotto Nothing But a Man
    
61. John Leyton in Guns at Batasi
62. Norman Rossington in A Hard Day's Night 
63. Victor Buono in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte
64. Ivor Emmanuel in Zulu 
65. Rentarō Mikuni in Kwaidan
66. Gene Kelly in What a Way to Go 
67. Stanley Green in Nothing but a Man
    
68. Donald Wolfit in Becket  
69. Andrew Duggan in Seven Days in May
70. Akim Tamiroff in Topkapi
71. Glynn Edwards in Zulu 
72. Dean Martin in What a Way to Go
    
73. Peter Lawford in Dead Ringer
74. Desmond Llewelyn in Goldfinger
75. Patrick Magee in Seance on a Wet Afternoon 
76. Yuri Tolubeyev in Hamlet
77. Dom Deluise in Fail-Safe 
78. Takashi Shimura in Kwaidan
    
79. James Mason in The Pumpkin Eater 
80. Felix Aylmer in The Chalk Garden
    
81. Eli Wallach in Kisses for My President 
    
82. James Earl Jones in Dr. Strangelove 
83. Mikhail Nazvanov in Hamlet
84. Joseph Cotten in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte 
85. Edmond O'Brien in Rio Conchos
    
86. George Sanders in A Shot in the Dark
87. George Macready in Dead Ringers
88. Sotiris Moustakas in Zorba the Greek
89. Kevin McCarthy in The Best Man
90. David Kernan in Zulu 
91. Richard Attenborough in The Third Secret
    
92. Katsuo Nakamura in Kwaidan
    
93. James Ward in The Night of the Iguana
94. Jack Weston in The Incredible Mr. Limpet 
95. Shelley Berman in The Best Man
96. Bernard Lee in Goldfinger
97. Martin Gabel in Marnie
98. David Weston in Becket
99. Bruce Dern in Hush... Hush, Sweet Charlotte 
100. Richard Mulligan in One Potato, Two Potato
     
101. Mark Eden in Seance on a Wet Afternoon 
102. Jean Servais in That Man From Rio
     
103. Bruce Dern in Marnie 
104. Arthur Kennedy in Cheyenne Autumn
     
105. Giacomo Rossi-Stuart in The Last Man on Earth
106. John Henry Falk in The Best Man
107. Harold Sakata in Goldfinger  
108. Stuart Whitman in Rio Conchos
     
109. Wilfrid Hyde-White in My Fair Lady 
110. Paul Newman in What a Way to Go
     
111. Leon Ames in The Misadventures of Merlin Jones 
112. Joseph Egger in A Fistful of Dollars
113. Hugh Marlowe in Seven Days in May
114. Anthony Eisley in The Naked Kiss
     
115. Norm Grabowski in The Misadventure of Merlin Jones 
116. Matthew Garber in Mary Poppins  
117. Fritz Weaver in Fail-Safe 
118. Paolo Stoppa in Becket
119. Jeremy Brett in My Fair Lady
120. Vincent Beck in Santa Clause Conquers the Martians
121. Bill McCutcheon in Santa Clause Conquers the Martians
122. Carl Don in Santa Clause Conquers the Martians

Next Year: 1955 lead

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1964: Sterling Hayden in Dr. Strangelove

Sterling Hayden did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying General Jack Ripper in Dr. Strangelove.

It could easily appear to some that Sterling Hayden really did not care about acting, and his personal comments would seem to support that statement, nevertheless he had a tremendous screen presence, and it did seem like he could fit into the tough guy roles like no other. That does not seem entirely fair to Hayden though because, for example, in his role in the Asphalt Jungle most of the type he just needed to be the hard man yet when more was asked of him he actually did succeed in being more than just the thug. Hayden in Dr. Strangelove again seems to be properly cast as the hard nosed General who decides to have his bombers, which are armed with nuclear weapons, to attack Russia completely based only his own authority and not the president's.

In the most base sense Hayden fits the role perfectly with his deep voice and simply his size of the man that this would be guy who would not mind intiating such a plan on his own personal authority. Hayden makes Ripper the obvious example of military might and the thinking of a man who believes himself to be in complete command of the situation. In the most serious sort of way Hayden fulfills the purpose of General Ripper, by being a man who is clearly determined in his plan no matter what the consequences will be in the end. Of course this role and Hayden's performance has much more to offer than simply being a determined military general, as the true nature of this role is not dramatic but in actuality it is comedic.

Hayden is brilliant in regard to making this a hilarious performance. The great part about Hayden's performance is he doesn't play it straight nor does he seem like he is playing it as funny either. Hayden does so much within the structure of Ripper it is amazing. As Ripper he is always chomping hard on his large cigar throughout his performance, and he has a most crazy eyed look on his face. There is something so intense about his look that it is both hilarious yet as well works in portraying the insanity of Ripper. This goes for almost everything he does as Hayden is so extreme about it that he makes what he does amusing yet he is strangely believable at just being a purely crazed war hungry General as well.

The best part of Hayden's performance though his his bizarre yet so perfect chemistry with Peter Sellers as Ripper's sane second in command Lionel Mandrake. Although Mandrake the whole time is trying to stop Ripper, Ripper never figures this out revealing much of his plan to Mandrake. Hayden is rather warm and almost fatherly toward Mandrake throughout the event making a real camaraderie there even though Mandrake is trying to undermine him the entire time. Hayden having Ripper seem so comfortable rather than hostile when talking to Mandrake makes the situation all the funnier as Mandrake tries to find something out while Ripper is in a world of his own.

The reason for Ripper's plan is the most ridiculous part of his character as he reveals that he believes the communists are after his precious bodily fluids because he apparently knows nothing about the way the human body works. Hayden brings so much conviction to this lunacy with his stone cold delivery that he makes the scene as memorable as it is, and makes it seem perfect sense to General Ripper anyway. Although I am sure that is many a fan's favorite scene for Ripper, my personal favorite is when Ripper asks Mandrake about torture. Hayden's performance is extremely funny as he keeps that psychotic look, but within that look you can see him basically wimping out at the idea of any physical torture. 

Hayden proves himself far more capable actor than one who is just good at fulfilling a certain physical type of character with his performance in Dr. Strangelove. It is quite true that Hayden successfully fulfills General Ripper in the basic description of an imposing General, but more than that he turns his depiction of a General out of his gourd into a comedic gold. Hayden gives a great performance that pulls off a most interesting trick which is to not pigeonhole himself as really playing it exactly one way or another. Sterling Hayden by taking this most unique path gives a completely fitting portrait of a man who very much has created his own form of reality within his deranged mind.

Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1964

And the Nominees Were Not:

Nigel Green in Zulu

Fredric March in Seven Days in May

Frank Overton in Fail-Safe

George C. Scott in Dr. Strangelove

Sterling Hayden in Dr. Strangelove

Alternate Best Actor 1950: Results

5. Marlon Brando in The Men- Brando gives a solid turn but he always seems a bit restricted due to the role.

Best Scene: Ken's emotional outburst at the other Men

4. Toshiro Mifune in Scandal- Far from Mifune's best work but it is a nice charming performance as a fulfills the role a traditional leading man.

Best Scene: Ichiro makes his plea to the court.

3. Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A.- O'Brien is easily the best part of his film as he gives a convincing performance as a man forced to solve his own murder while he is dying.

Best Scene: Bigelow finishes telling his story.

2. Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle- Hayden doesn't give a hoot style doesn't always work but it certainly does here as the hoodlum Dix particularly due to the modicum of humanity he does bring to the part.

Best Scene:  Dix dreams of the farm as he tries to make it back to it one more time.

1. Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon- Good Prediction Psifonian. Feel free to name a year and a performance of your choice. My favorite this year is without a doubt Mifune's amazing performance here that may be his finest. He goes all out and is absolutely magnetic every second he is onscreen and gives a compelling portrayal of a man through four very different perceptions.

Best Scene:  (Hard to say as I love every minute of it but I'll have to say) The bandit's version of the story.

Overall Rank:

1. Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon
2. Richard Widmark in Night and the City
   
3. James Stewart in Harvey
4. William Holden in Sunset Blvd.
5. Jose Ferrer in Cyrano De Bergerac
6. John Garfield in The Breaking Point
7. Jean Marais in Orpheus
8. Alec Guinness in Last Holiday
   
9. Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle
10. Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A.
11. Sidney Poitier in No Way Out 
12. Kirk Douglas in Young Man With A Horn
    
13. Toshiro Mifune in Scandal
14. James Stewart in Winchester '73 
15. John Mills in Morning Departure 
16. Stig Olin in To Joy
    
17. Marlon Brando in The Men
18. John Wayne in Rio Grande
19. Richard Widmark in No Way Out 
20. John Dall in Gun Crazy
    
21. James Stewart in Broken Arrow
22. Richard Widmark in Panic in the Streets 
23. Takashi Shimura in Scandal
24. Gregory Peck in The Gunfighter  
25. Joel McCrea in Stars in My Crown
    
26. Spencer Tracy in Father of the Bride
27. Robert Newton in Treasure Island
    
28. Dilip Kumar in Babul 
29. Walter Huston in The Furies
    
30. Vincent Price in The Baron of Arizona 
31. Edouard Dermit in Les Enfants Terribles
    
32. Ben Johnson in Wagon Master
33. Dana Andrews in Where the Sidewalk Ends
    
34. Clifton Webb in Cheaper by the Dozen  
35. Alfonso Mejia in Los Olvidados
36. Dan Dailey in When Willie Comes Marching Home
    
37. Richard Todd in Stage Fright 
    
38. Louis Calhern in The Magnificent Yankee
39. Broderick Crawford in Born Yesterday
40. William Holden in Born Yesterday 
    
41. Fred Astaire in Three Little Words 
42. Stewart Granger in King Solomon's Mines
    
43. Burt Lancaster in Mister 880 
44. Harry Carey Jr. in Wagon Master
    
45. Humphrey Bogart in In a Lonely Place 
46. Bobby Driscoll in Treasure Island
    
47. Jimmy Hanley in The Blue Lamp  
48. Red Skeleton in Three Little Words
    
49. Alan Ladd in Captain Carey, U.S.A. 
50. Dirk Bogarde in The Blue Lamp
51. Ronald Reagan in Louisa
    
52. Jackie Robinson in The Jackie Robinson Story 
53. John Archer in Destination Moon
    

Next Year: 1950 Supporting

Alternate Best Actor 1950: Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle

Sterling Hayden did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Dix Handley in The Asphalt Jungle.

The Asphalt Jungle is a film all about the gritty and rough nature of its characters there are thieves, corrupt cops, lecherous old men no one seems clean in this film. One of the roughest faces though has to belong to Sterling Hayden as the hoodlum Dix who mostly does armed robbery, but soon joins up with a really large scheme conceived by "Doc" Erwin Riedenschneider (Sam Jaffe). Hayden does not really have to do all that much to be convincing as the rough customer that Dix should be with his grizzled face and oppressive stature as he is perfectly cast in this role. There is never a question that Dix isn't someone who should be messed with and at least on the surface seems to be the type of hoodlum all the criminals talk about which is a man without humanity.

Hayden is very effective in being the opposing force that you can't ignore and his mere presence seems to add to the grimy nature of the film. Hayden might very well have been the only leading man of the time who could have really fit the character as well as Hayden does as there isn't any glamor that Hayden tries to add the part and lets himself be the thug that Dix should be. Hayden no nonsense approach works perfectly for the film as Dix never becomes a hero that we follow but rather another one of the crooks who we observe as they attempt their plan. Hayden really doesn't try to be likable but in a way being straight forward in the portrayal still makes him an easy character to follow and effectively reinforces the style the film is going for.

Although the hoodlums are looked at men without a humanity there is a little bit in Dix which mostly pertains to his memories of his days on a horse farm, and his dream to return there someday. The film nor Hayden dwell on these moments for very long, but they are very nicely handled by Hayden as they are just a short genuine glimpse into his humanity. The fact that he doesn't lighten up in any of the other scenes actually makes these brief gentle moments quite poignant as Hayden gives just a bit of tenderness in an otherwise stony hide. This also sets up the climax in an efficient fashion as Dix is almost forced to dream about a better life it actually comes off as quite moving because of the honesty Hayden gave to those earlier bits that contradicted what seems to be the nature of Dix.

I have to say that this actually is a very good performance by Hayden as his style of not really seeming to care works exceedingly well especially with those sprinkled in moments where he does. I doubt anyone could have been better in this role since Hayden's very unique screen presence seemed practically tailor made for this role, and he makes the atmosphere all the more vivid in the part of Dix who if he had been played in a more romantic manner could have easily upset this facet of the film. I do have to say Hayden is not the most interesting part of the film that is Sam Jaffe without a doubt and I do have to give a great deal of credit to the academy for recognizing that performance. Hayden though does make a very important impact on the film as well and achieves something rather special by finding poignancy in such a hard man.

Alternate Best Actor 1950

And the Nominees Were Not:

Toshiro Mifune in Rashomon

Toshiro Mifune in Scandal

Edmond O'Brien in D.O.A

Marlon Brando in The Men

Sterling Hayden in The Asphalt Jungle