Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1945: Mercel Herrand in Children of Paradise and Results

Mercel Herrand did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Pierre Francois Lacenaire in Children of Paradise.

Herrand comes in and out of the film as Pierre Francois Lacenaire an outlaw who passes his time around the theater world acting as a writer, or at least claiming to be but his true calling is that of crime. Lacenaire is a most strange sort of outlaw in that it does not seem to be that he needs to be an outlaw for monetary needs necessarily, but he rather finds that it is his true calling is to eventually be executed for his life of crime. Herrand's performance is quite remarkable in that he makes this very strange thief oddly believable even though he is basically an criminal who seems as though he eventually wants to be caught for his crimes as if it is some sort of destiny for himself.

Herrand's portrayal is an odd yet very compelling combination of things for his performance. He has a very low key yet substantial charm in the role as he is always a suave presence in every scene that he is in. There is even more to it then just that though as in most scenes he comes across as an amiable sort of man who is very easy to like, and he makes it extremely easy to see through Herrand's performance how so many of the character's would allow him to keep company with him even though Lacenaire is not exactly tight lipped about his activities. Herrand keeps this terrific magnetism in his work and he turns Lacenaire's particular method of living always something completely captivating to watch. 

Herrand though does far more than simply act as a charmer though and what makes this performance particularly striking is that he always keeps the criminal well in sight. Herrand even when Lacenaire is being charming carries himself with a very natural menace in every one of his scenes. When he appears in a room it is always a question on whether Lacenaire will treat who is calling upon with an assault or a friendly greeting because Herrand eyes creates a perfect mix of charming glance and a chilling glare. Herrand keeps one guessing at Lacenaire's motives for any moment making him one fascinating figure in the film who you always remember even though the character often takes long absences throughout the long story.  

Herrand makes Lacenaire almost a time bomb in the film up until his very best scene in the film where Lacenaire decided to indulge in a little murder, and even after the murder decides to stay in Paris just because he does not wish to face a country executioner. Herrand is very chilling in the scene because everything that Lacenaire does in the scene from the killing which in itself seems for such a slight reason, to his choosing to stay is made entirely natural to the character through Herrand's performance. Mercel Herrand creates a very interesting portrait of this unique criminal who takes pride in basically creating notoriety as a criminal, something most successful criminals would try to avoid.  

Some Other Performances:

Dan Duryea in Scarlet Street- Duryea played all of Fritz Lang's sleaze balls in the mid forties with his best portrayal of one being his somewhat limited role in The Ministry of Fear. Although that was the most limited character in a Lang film, but he had one great scene. Here he does not have any great scenes as he plays the one side of a sleazy couple who abuses an older man. Duryea is good in the role in just playing up the slime up of the character, and never suggesting that there is anything to the man other than his lack of morality. At the end of the film though his character finds himself in some great trouble. Duryea does makes you feel slightly sorry for the slime ball because he makes so easy to believe that no one would believe his innocence of the crime because well he just looks so guilty. 

Barry Fitzgerald and Walter Huston in And Then There Were None - Agatha Christie's characters are not always the most complex often defined by the broad strokes behind their profession leaving a challenge for the actor to make the character interesting even though there is not a great deal to them. Well this film version has two expert scene stealing actors with Fitzgerald and Huston. Both are quite adept at giving the right energy to the proceedings through their usual lively style of performance. They both give just enough fun and humor in their work while still being able to pull it back for the moments that need a bit more dramatic emphasis. Far from either of their best work, but nevertheless they both do a pretty splendid job.

Overall Rank:

1. James Dunn in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn
2. Boris Karloff in The Body Snatcher
   
3. Mercel Herrand in Children of Paradise
4. Michael Redgrave in Dead of Night
5. James Mason in The Wicked Lady
   
6. Michael Chekhov in Spellbound
7. Barry Fitzgerald in And Then There Were None
8. Robert Mitchum in The Story of G.I. Joe
9. Frank Faylen in The Lost Weekend 
10. Ryūnosuke Tsukigata in Sanshiro Sugata Part II
11. Charles Bickford in Fallen Angel
    
12. Walter Huston in And Then There Were None
13. Sydney Greenstreet in Conflict  
14. George Macready in My Name is Julia Ross
15. Mervyn Johns in Dead of Night
    
16. Dan Duryea in Scarlet Street
17. George Sanders in The Picture of Dorian Gray
18. Sydney Greenstreet in Christmas in Connecticut
19. Richard Haydn in And Then There Were Not
20. Freddie Steele in The Story of G.I. Joe
21. S.Z. Sakall in Christmas in Connecticut
22. James Gleason in The Clock
23. Susumu Fujita in The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
24. Pierre Renoir in Children of Paradise
25. Frederick Valk in Dead of NIght
    
26. John Mills in Johnny in The Clouds
    
27. William Demarest in  Salty O'Rourke
    
28. Dane Clark in Pride of the Marines
29. Howard Da Silva in The Lost Weekend 
30. Louis Salou in Children of Paradise
31. J. Carrol Naish in The Southerner  
32. Aubrey Mather in The House of Fear
33. Allan Jeayes in Dead of Night
    
34. Herbert Marshall in The Enchanted Cottage
    
35. Cecil Parker in Caesar and Cleopatra
36. Leo G. Carroll in Spellbound  
37. Ralph Michael in Dead of Night
    
38. Gene Lockhart in The House on 92nd Street
    
39. Roland Young in And Then There Were None 
40. Basil Radford in Dead of Night
41. Naughton Wayne in Dead of Night
    
42. Trevor Howard in Johnny in the Clouds 
43. Masayuki Mori in The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail 
44. Bela Lugosi in The Bodysnatcher 
45. Miles Malleson in Dead of Night
    
46. Ted Donaldson in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
47. Dennis Hoey in The House of Fear
    
48. Charles Kemper in The Southerner 
49. Stanley Holloway in Johnny in the Clouds
    
50. J. Carrol Naish in A Medal For Benny
51. Frank McHugh in State Fair 
52. Butch Jenkins in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes
    
53. Lloyd Nolan in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
54. Edmund Lowe in Dillinger 
55. S.Z. Sakall in Wonder Man
    
56. Cecil Kellaway in Love Letters
57. Dana Andrews in State Fair
58. Roland Culver in Dead of Night
    
59. George Sanders in Hangover Square
    
60. Keenan Wynn in What's Next, Corporal Hargrove?
    
61. Ernest Thesiger in Caesar and Cleopatra
62. Herbert Lom in The Seventh Veil 
    
63. James Gleason in A Tree Grows in Brooklyn 
64. James Craig in Our Vines Have Tender Grapes
    
65. Vito Annicchiarico in Rome, Open City
66. C. Aubrey Smith in And Then There Were None
67. Takash Shimura in The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
68. Vincent Price in Leave Her to Heaven
69. Stanley Holloway in Brief Encounter
70. Mischa Auer in And Then There Were None
71. Kenichi Enomoto in The Men Who Tread on the Tiger's Tail
72. Cyril Raymond in Brief Encounter
73. Ray Collins in Leave Her to Heaven 
74. Otto Kruger in Wonder Man
    
75. Hugh McDermott in The Seventh Veil
76. Ward Bond in They Were Expendable 
77. Henry Travers in Bells of Saint Mary's
78. Stephen Bekassy in A Song to Remember 
79. Felix Aylmer in The Wicked Lady
    
80. Frank Sinatra in Anchors Aweigh
81. Stanley Holloway in Caesar and Cleopatra
82. Jack Holt in They Were Expendable
83. Stewart Granger in Caesar and Cleopatra
84. Eduardo Passarelli in Rome, Open City
85. Frank McHugh in A Medal for Benny  
86. Porter Hall in Blood on the Sun
    
87. Charles Drake in Conflict
88. Reginald Gardiner in Christmas in Connecticut 
89. Michael Rennie in The Wicked Lady
    
90. Dean Stockwell in Anchors Aweigh
91. William Gargan in Bells of Saint Mary's
92. Donald Woods in Wonder Man
    
93. John Emery in Spellbound
94. Ivan Triesault in A Song to Remember
95. Phillip Terry in The Lost Weekend
96. John Dall in The Corn is Green
97. Edmund MacDonald in Detour
98. Griffith Jones in The Wicked Lady
    
99. Basil Sydney in Caesar and Cleopatra
100. Robert Armstrong in Blood on the Sun
     
101. John Emery in Blood on the Sun
     

Next Year: 1934 lead

Best Supporting Actor 1942: Results

5. Frank Morgan in Tortilla Flat- Morgan is by far the best part of a bad film bringing a lot of heart to his role of the dog lover.

4. Henry Travers in Mrs. Miniver- Travers portrays his usual nice old man role in his usual nice old man fashion. It is not a stretch for him, the part is very limited, but Travers does it well.

3. William Bendix in Wake Island- Bendix's whole point in the film is to be funny, he is funny enough, and he is perfectly fine.

2. Walter Huston in Yankee Doodle Dandy- Huston gives a good performance as the warm and wise father. He is convincing in the vaudeville scenes, but his role is a little too limited for Huston to really do anything  special in the role.

1. Van Heflin in Johnny Eager- Good prediction RatedRStar. Heflin very very easily wins this year. Heflin simply gives an outstanding performance. He absolutely steals the entire film, he brings genuine emotions, and an original character to a film that certainly needs it.

Deserving Performances:
Claude Rains in Now Voyager
Roddy McDowall in The Pied Piper

Best Supporting Actor 1942: Walter Huston in Yankee Doodle Dandy

Walter Huston received his third Oscar nomination for portraying Jerry Cohan in Yankee Doodle Dandy.

Walter Huston became tied with Frank Morgan for being the first person nominated in the supporting actor after being nominated in the lead category for portraying Jerry Cohan the father of the individual this biography film is about George M. Cohan (James Cagney). Walter Huston's performance is sort of a miniature version of James Cagney's performance in this film. A great deal of his performance is in his vaudevillian scenes. He like Cagney is a believable vaudevillian having a high level energy in these scenes, and successfully portrays the acts. He does not have have as substantial of scenes as Cagney, but Huston certainly still makes a believable vaudevillian.

Off the stage Huston portrays Jerry as an entirely nice man who's only negative quality is perhaps he is slightly jealous of his son's greater success. Nevertheless Huston just portrays Jerry charmingly, as a good man who loves his family, and work hard to make them successes.  It is a rather limited his portrayal and his most substantial scene is probably when he tries to tell the young George that it is better to be a great man than a great actor. Huston is good in that scene showing the fatherly wisdom and warmth of Jerry well. Huston basically gets everything he can out of the part through his typical energetic and charming approach he used in all of his roles.

The only problem with Huston's performance really is his role. The film is absolutely about George M. Cohan, and only about George M. Cohan. The only time he is really the focus at all is at the very beginning of the film. As soon as Cagney appears he fades into the background even in many of the vaudevillian scenes. He does have a single scene where he reads a letter from George, which Huston handles well and brings genuine heart to the scene. After this scene though he fades once again even his final death scene is about Cagney's performance not Huston's. There just is not a lot of material for Huston to turn this into a classic Huston performance, it is fine work from Huston nevertheless though.

Best Supporting Actor 1942

And the Nominees Were:

Frank Morgan in Tortilla Flat

Henry Travers in Mrs. Miniver

Van Heflin in Johnny Eager

William Bendix in Wake Island

Walter Huston in Yankee Doodle Dandy

Best Supporting Actor 1948: Results

5. Jose Ferrer in Joan of Arc- Ferrer does basically nothing with his performance as the Dauphin, being an incredibly dull presence, while still being overly theatrical in his way of speaking.

 
4. Oskar Homolka in I Remember Mama- Homolka overacts very heavily in his scenes being far too obvious in his performance. I did like his last scene where he toned it down but that was not enough.

3. Charles Bickford in Johnny Belinda- Bickford is good showing the transition of a father from believing his daughter to being dumb to truly loving her despite the fact the film and script are really built away from him.

2. Cecil Kellaway in The Luck of the Irish- Kellaway fulfills his role perfectly, he just seems right as a Leprechaun. Even though the part is not the most complicated Kellaway still gives a very nice performance.

1. Walter Huston in The Treasure of Sierra Madre- Huston tops the list once again, making him the biggest winner for me with three wins so far. Huston is just terrific from beginning to end, adding so much to the film with his energetic presence. He is brilliant at creating Howard the old prospector with his voice and manner, and creating the depth of character showing so much more to the character than what is spoken aloud. (Good Prediction Dinasztie) 

Best Supporting Actor 1948: Walter Huston in The Treasure of Sierra Madre

Walter Huston won his only Oscar from his fourth and final nomination for playing gold prospector named Howard in The Treasure of Sierra Madre.

The Treasure of the Sierra Madre is a great film in my book, telling a fascinating story of three prospectors who find a lot of gold but find keeping it is harder than it seems, due to roaming bandits and the greed of one of the three named Dobbs (Humphrey Bogart in his best performance).

I clearly am I a fan of Walter Huston, giving him wins for both of his lead nominations. There is something about his presence and manner that I always enjoy watching especially when he is given a good character. In Treasure I find his performance is rather interesting and is usually not given credit for his technical prowess in this particular film. Huston played the Devil, and a rich businessman as believably as possibly, but here he plays a grizzled old down and out prospector and he is just as believable. I really enjoy his mannerisms in this film. He is perfectly made up in the film with the suspenders, and hair but Huston only adds to it using very effective voice and effective mannerisms such as his posture, and the way he squints his eyes, that only add to his character, and makes Huston even more believable as the prospector.

Huston adds a lot to this film as usually does (heck he even adds something in his 5 second cameo in The Maltese Falcon) his presence is always very strong and always adds some energy to his films. I feel he adds more energy than usual with his performance here. I love every minute he is on screen always making the scenes move along do to his movements and his perfect way of speaking. He never in this film lets a film become dull automatically begins Huston never is dull for single moment in this film. Huston has the several scenes where he is required to show rather extreme joy and loudness, in say the last scene where Howard is laughing or the earlier scene where he laughs at his fellow prospectors for not recognizing gold below their feet. These scenes almost have to be played over the top, but I still do not think Huston does. Yes he is laughing, dancing and loud, but Huston does this so well that it seems as a natural part of Howard's character opposed to it being an actor forcing it to be something the character does.

The greatest part of his performance involves the utmost subtlety form Huston which works marvelously. Howard is a knowing prospector and is the wisest of the three prospectors in the story even though he is not a genius. Huston shows Howard deeper knowing of gold, greed and men perfectly. From first the slightly more obvious time in his entrance scene where he tells everyone of gold, where Huston tells of Howard history setting up the character, to later when Howard knows more than the others about greed. From his first reaction to Dobbs' and Curtin's (Tim Holt) handshake, where Huston through his face shows Howard knows the trust of the men will not stand the test of greed well, to later when he is dealing with the fighting among the prospectors. Huston as Howard always shows a certain wisdom while still showing that his character knows he is not really that smart. He also excels at showing that Howard tries to do the right thing but still is not a good enough man to stand up for what is truly right. Huston does all this without saying a thing he shows it through his face which he without fault makes completely into Howard's face. Huston excels in every one of his scenes, and gives a very effective performance.

Best Supporting Actor 1948

And the Nominees Were:

Cecil Kellaway in The Luck of the Irish

Jose Ferrer in Joan of Arc

Walter Huston in The Treasure of the Sierra Madre

Charles Bickford in Johnny Belinda

Oskar Homolka in I Remember Mama

Who do you pick? What do you predict my ranking will be?

Best Actor 1941: The Results

5. Gary Cooper in Sergeant York- Cooper gives a particularly dull performance that never really goes anywhere special.

4. Robert Montgomery in Here Comes Mr. Jordan- He's okay but he never does anything that special role, and just is a nice but average performance.

3. Cary Grant in Penny Serenade- Grant partially gives his usual routine which is effective, but in the second half of the film he gives something much more than that.

2. Orson Welles in Citizen Kane- Welles gives an iconic performance, and despite some slightly dull and overly theatrical moments, Welles still gives very interesting portrait of a man through his entire life.

1. Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster- I was tempted to go with Grant but that was possibly partially because I chose Huston in my last year, but Huston's performance is too good for me not to pick. I could watch his performance over and over, his devil is one memorable performance.

Best Actor 1941: Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster

Walter Huston received his second Oscar nomination for playing Mr. Scratch in the Devil and Daniel Webster. Mr. Scratch though is no man but the devil himself.

The Devil and Daniel Webster is a terrific retelling of the story of a man who sells his soul to the devil for all that money can buy (an alternative title for this film), and later has to be defended by a popular politician Daniel Webster to try and keep his soul. I like many aspects of this film, from the great direction in most scenes to the brilliant Bernard Herman score which deservedly won the Oscar over Herman's other score for Citizen Kane. There are a few problems with the film such as the lead  James Craig leaves something to be desired from his performance. There are many great things in the film such as every scene with the underrated Edward Arnold as Daniel Webster, and every scene with Walter Huston as Mr. Scratch.

Huston does have a supporting part but his performance and the character really controls the film. Huston would easily be my personal pick for best supporting actor there is no doubt about that. Huston though it completely brilliant in every scene of this movie, and I just loved watching his performance. I could watch the film over and over again just for his performance, he is that good. His first appearance in the film is incredibly well done, where he is a shadow tempting Daniel Webster. Huston finds the right voice for this making the scene incredibly effective. But later Huston has his full on entrance when he goes to successfully tempt Jabez Stone (James Craig). Huston must have one of the best entrances in the history of film here. The way the music plays and his presence appears is really unforgettable. This entrance would not matter though if Huston did not support the part, but Huston does. He is entertaining but also incredibly effective in his manner of speaking and his physical posture. You can easily see why he could convince anyone to sell their soul just do to the way he carries himself. I love his slightly at odds stance, almost like a goat standing on its hind legs.

After that unforgettable scene which's success largely comes from Huston, Scratch recedes into the background and lets events unfold, but he always makes sure they unfold to his liking. Once again Huston has very few lines in these scenes but every time you see him in the corner, talking over someone's shoulder, playing in the marching band, or playing the fiddle, Huston makes more than the most out of every single one of these scenes. He truly creates the devil here, as the conniving thing that is always present, and acting even if it is in small ways. Huston does more with this little time than many actors could do with three hours of screentime. Old Scratch does come more into the fore front again when he wants Jabez Stone's soul. In the earlier scenes he seemed partially likable, but here his true nature comes even more prevalent. Once again Huston is brilliant, he makes truly haunting devil here, that is not a man you want to lose your soul to. He never stops being partially playful but Huston makes everything work without ever seeming to go off a deep end. After all he is playing the devil, a role that is trickier to get right than it might seem.

Huston steals almost every single scene he is in, the only one I do not think he does, is when he goes to toe to toe with Edward Arnold in the climatic trial scene. I do not think Arnold steals it from him but instead the brilliantly share the scene, and when Scratch finally is not charge, I love the fact that he still does not act defeated, just slightly bested. After the trial Scratch has one last scene which is probably one of the best exits in a film too. After comically stealing Webster's peach pie Scratch checks his black book and seems like he needs a new customer. So he thinks about it and then points directly at the viewer. I gotta say that really got me, and was great ending. Breaking the fourth wall can easily fall flat but when you have the right context as this film does and a brilliant actor to handle the scene like Huston it can be incredibly effective. Huston makes that scene absolutely perfect and does the same for many others

Best Actor 1941

And The Nominees were:

Cary Grant in Penny Serenade 

Robert Montgomery in Here Comes Mr. Jordan

Orson Welles in Citizen Kane

Gary Cooper in Sergeant York

Walter Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster

Who do you predict, Who do you pick, Who are you rooting for? 

Best Actor 1936: Results

5. Spencer Tracy in San Francisco- Tracy gives a nice supporting turn here, and does a good job supporting the other actors in San Francisco. He was just nominated in the wrong category.

4. Paul Muni in The Story of Louis Pasteur- Muni gives a nice performance as Pasteur but the part just never seems to be that much of a challenge.

3. Gary Cooper in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town- Cooper may not have the best voice in my book, but his silent looks are just perfect. Cooper has some really memorable scenes here, especially the court room scene.

2. William Powell in My Man Godfrey- Powell is a superb romantic lead in this screwball comedy. He gives his nice sarcastic delivery which works to excellent effect.

1. Walter Huston in Dodsworth- Huston is great as Dodsworth. His enthusiasm at first is so perfect especially when he is conflicted with his disappointment later on. Huston strikes all the right notes here.

Best Actor 1936: Walter Huston in Dodsworth

Walter Houston received his first of four Oscar nominations for playing Sam Dodsworth who sells off his interest in his company and retires to please his wife, so they can tour Europe.

Dodsworth is a very interesting film even though it gets just slightly repetitive near the end. Still it is fascinating the way it shows Dodsworth and his wife growing further apart because of her growing snobbery and her growing affairs with other men. It got slightly repetitive when she went from one affair to another, but it still is a fascinating examination of European and American manners, and the way people can change.

Walter Huston is terrific as Dodsworth. The good hearten businessman whose wife mistreats him. I like his disappointment that he has given his job away but later his pure enthusiasm to see the world. Huston play very well off of Ruth Chatterton, with his "American" enthusiasm conflicting with her new found "sophistication". Huston gives his usual joyful delivery for parts of the movie which work incredibly well. He comes off as just a great guy, making it all the worse when his wife keeps betraying him. Dodsworth slow but deliberate progression to figuring out what his wife is doing is perfectly done by Huston. Huston channels his disappointment so well, yet his resentment is shown in just the right way. Every time he battles with his wife Huston is brilliant, because Huston shows how Dodsworth at first has trouble realizing it but later when he confronts her directly it is just fantastic. His scene where he confronts one of her suitors (Paul Lukas) is perfect, and  I really like the scene where he says they better start growing up since their going to be grand parents. This is just a great performance by Huston and you really follow him through the film and feel for him all the way.  His chemistry with Mary Astor also is properly effective making the ending work all the better. Huston fully realizes the character of Dodsworth and never once hits a false note. Huston gives a great performance which gets:

Best Actor 1936

And the Nominees were:

Walter Huston in Dodsworth

William Powell in My Man Godfrey

Spencer Tracy in San Francisco 

Paul Muni in The Story of Louis Pasteur

Gary Cooper in Mr. Deeds Goes to Town