Lots of food for thought here michael, great video. There are some results I'd like to see like how much was between cage and penn in 95, scofield and Burton in 66, peck and o toole in 62, cagney and cooper in 42, how much did gary cooper in sergeant york beat orson welles in citizen kane by? Or how many votes was paul lukas ahead of bogey in casablanca..
Thank you, as always, Pat. You bring up some interesting years, especially 66. One can only imagine how few votes Burton may have missed against Scofield.
@RobertPagano226 thanks robert, gary cooper and paul lukas are often slated in polls because most people think bogey and orson welles deserved to win but I think both cooper and lukas deserved their oscars. I wonder how much was between art carney and all pacino or Jack nicholson in 74?
I think that in 2003, it was a close race votes-wise between the eventual winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours") and Renee Zellweger ("Chicago"). However, I think that the winning performance that year was Julianne Moore's for "Far From Heaven".
Also based on the 2003 competition, i strongly believe nicole will win for baby girl. Remember, nicole was not a contender until late in december during the globes while everyone thought julianne would win but she lost momentum in big award such as Globes, sag bafta etc
Kidman still had the "Sympathy" factor from the unceremonious way Tom Cruise dumped her, there was backlash against Cruise in Hollywood. I also think voters felt Kidman deserved it from "Moulin Rouge" the previous year and now she went from playing a showgirl to being totally unrecognizable playing Virginia Woolf. But Renee made it a very close race
Oscars 2023 Best Actress Cate Blanchett (Tár) vs Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once) In this case I thought it was Blanchett getting the Oscars but when both watch Tár & Everything Everywhere All At Once--we've seen Blanchett this style acting before contrastingly of what Yeoh gives us.. Yeoh won because of something new from her previous works and depths of Yeoh's character from the film in the same case of Fraser in The Whale.. both Yeoh's & Fraser's character are more dimensional characterizations and emotions
@aaronjanlisanco You bring up a good point. When actors give us solid, fresh performances that is different than what we know them for, it helps their odds in receiving the awards.
And as for other close races in the lead categories: Sean Penn vs Bill Murray (2003), Penn vs Mickey Rourke (2008), Denzel Washington vs Russell Crowe (2001), Paul Newman vs Bob Hoskins (1986), Humphrey Bogart vs Marlon Brando (1951), Loretta Young vs Rosalind Russell (1947)
Some really interesting races. I wonder how close it was in 1951, and if Russell even came in second in 1947 (since she was supposed to be so far ahead of the others but didn't win).
Absolutely! 💯🎭 Cher's performance in Silkwood was the beginning of what should have seen Cher winning the Oscsr not for Moonstruck, but rather for the Mask. Glenn unfortunately was attacked by both prominent women's groups as well as the "Suits" viciously. Here as well Glenn's name was never in the conversation for the role of Alex Forrest until it was. This role was not the just another recycled character based on the late Jessica Walter in Play Misty For Me. Fatal Attraction was offered to just about every actress and entertainer in the phone book. Everyone from the late Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, Annie Potts of Designing Women fame, Meryl Streep, Barbara Hershey, Isabella Rossellini, to the incomparable Broadway legend Christine Ebersole etc. As gifted some of the individuals that I referenced, none could have succeeded. Glenn Close's dedication to bringing Alex Forrest's character to life quite literally through "researching" in a way that really was uniquely organic. She she was deeply invested for all the right reasons, as proven by her communication with i.e psychiatrists, as well as other mental health and law enforcement experts, in order to understand who Alex really was from a mental health perspective while also humanizing Alex simultaneously. 💯🎭🏆
🏆🎭1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣0️⃣🎭🏆 BEST ACTRESS (LEAD) Bette Davis vs. Gloria Swanson One of the great competitions in the history of the Academy Awards PERIOD! With all due respect to Judy Holliday, she won by default as Davis & Swanson were in films (ALL ABOUT EVE & SUNSET BOULEVARD) that originally never saw, or considered either actress cast as Margo Channing (DAVIS) or Norma Desmond (SWANSON). In my opinion , their performances were so brilliant that essentially, they canceled each other out. This was also a year for which both actresses were underestimated. Sunset Boulevard was Swanson's first "TALKIE PICTURE" and much like Swanson, Davis brilliantly represented Margo Channing even though the role felt specifically designed and even written with Tallulah Bankhead in mind from its conception to the very last scene. This was very much a resurgence for both actresses and boy did they deliver flawlessly! I would have been fine with a tie for the Oscar here but for me, Gloria Swanson should have won. Even Bette Davis acknowledged that fact.
Pfeiffer was amazing, she deserved the Oscar, and I think she would have won if they had submitted her in supporting instead of lead. Brenda Fricker was excellent in My Left Foot but Michelle gave one of those performances that make the movie even though she wasn't one of the title characters. Also, I wonder if Bening would have won if she had been submitted for supporting, as she had only 28 minutes of screen time in American Beauty, less than Angelina Jolie had in Girl Interrupted.
@davedavis8786 Placing Bening in supporting has been mentioned often on this channel, but I think she was the leading lady of the film (and won the SAG for lead). I hadn't thought of Pfeiffer in supporting, probably for the same reason. I really wish Pfeiffer had won for that one.
Pfeiffer is spectacularly dazzling in her role as the glamorous Susie Diamond, but I think it wouldn't have been very fair for her to be nominated in the supporting category since she won the Best Actress award at the four most important film critics associations (NBR, NYFCC, NSFC and LAFCA), not to mention the fact that she won the Globe for Best Actress - Drama. Tandy won the Globe but in Comedy or Musical, a very rare feat for an Oscar-winning performance. At that time it was said that Tandy was favored by the fact that her film was nominated for Best Picture (Driving Miss Daisy, winning in the end) and because they wanted to "reward" her career.
1962 Oscar ceremony might have had Natalie Wood in second place for "Splendor in the Grass." Besides also starring in the Best Picture of the year, she had two "Oscar-bait" scenes in her home studio, Elia Kazan directed drama: 1) her on-the-spot forced classroom explanation of the Wordsworth poem and 2) the bathtub confrontation by her mom about being 'spoiled.'
@VTMCompany Loren's win was considered a surprise since that had never happened before (a performance in a foreign language film). Natalie certainly was in the running.
In the case of Austin Butler vs Brendan Fraser, that was an EZ one since it was very recent. Brendan had a lot of momentum going into the Oscars. He'd been gone from Hollywood for almost 20 years, his sexual harassment case from a Hollywood insider was well publicized and "The Whale" was a comeback vehicle for him. He also gave several emotional speeches in victory awards throughout the awards season. In any other year, Austin would've won. Voters felt sympathetic towards Brendan, he was Hollywood's "Comeback Kid" that year, ppl knew his glory years were behind him. Whereas in Austin's case you knew his future ahead of him was long and bright. I recall the only major award Austin beat Brendan was the BAFTA award in UK, Brendan won Golden Globe, Critic's Choice and SAG
That particular race was mostly due to social media and their love for Brendan. I remember that it was supposed to be between Brendan and Colin Farrell since they were in the industry longer than Austin. Brendan didn’t win GG because of the situation with the former president of the GGs so Austin won and he upset Colin in the BAFTAs. Fraser won CC and SAG and it all hinges on which film would win for makeup
@alpe1987 Ur right abt Brendan not winning GG, my bad. He made a point of not attending the show. I did watch "The Whale" bc of his Oscar win, but not "Elvis" to compare their performances; Whale was a great watch. The Asian actress in the movie was incredible too, can't believe Jamie Lee Curtis won, many many ppl complain abt the supporting actress win that year, Kerry Condon in "Banshees" and the two Asian actresses from " Whale" and "Everything Everywhere" were standouts, JLC was the weakest one. I hope there's discussion on how/why JLC won
Thanks for the great video. Here’s a few others that I believe to be very close. Actress: 1973 Glenda Jackson vs Ellen Burstyn; 1980 Sissy Spacek vs Mary Tyler Moore; 1981 Katherine Hepburn vs Meryl Streep; 1988 Jodie Foster vs Glenn Close; 1997 Helen Hunt vs Kate Winslet; 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow vs Cate Blanchett - Actor: 1974 Art Carney vs Al Pacino; 1993 Tom Hanks vs Liam Neeson;
Like Sally Field as an actress but always felt that her performance in Norma Rae was too 'look at me, look at me' Oscar baity even though the movie was released early in the year. Bette Midler was absolutely astounding in The Rose but as you mentioned the movie wasn't critically well received. And of course Glenn Close vs. Jessica Lange, Glenn Close vs, Cher, Glenn Close vs. Jodie Foster and Glenn Close vs. Olivia Coleman.
With all due respect for Field, a lot of her career has actually been a series of "Look at me!" performances, so I understand what you mean. I'll be discussing Close vs. Lange in a future video.
@@gittes98 THE ROSE was well received. Bette Midler was praised by all of the film critics for her performance and the film itself got mostly good reviews, some mixed reviews.
I read that Bette Midler was informed by some Academy voters a few days before the ceremony that they are voting for her giving "high hopes" of winning. If you watch the Best Actress clip you can tell Bette was kind of anxious and ready to rise but when the envelope was opened, it was Sally - you can tell Bette had an internal meltdown. She even joke her lost when she presented at the Oscars presenting Best Original Song.
@dobazajr Midler looked very nervous, which I completely understand. She also joked about that night when she once did standup, telling the audience that instead of her, the Academy voted for Field because "they LIKED her, they really LIKED her!"
@@oscarman42 she also lampooned the loss as an ongoing joke mentioned in her ill -fated CBS sitcom BETTE in 2000. Interestingly Sally Field refused to make a guest appearance on BETTE which Bette mentioned in the press.
Oscars 2019 Best Actor Christian Bale (Vice) vs Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody) for me non of this two.. my choice is Willem Dafoe in his performance as Vincent Van Gogh in the film At Eternity's Gate... why?... acting wise Dafoe gives more as Van Gogh's struggles in life and embodies Dafoe the pain, the character as the real life person and for me Dafoe was slightly lool a alike of Van Gogh in the film
Saw both norma and the rose in 1979. That year always holds a special place for me. It was the first time I saw all best picture, director, all 4 acting before the academy awards. That was hard to do in wichita, ks in 1979. Very close with slight edge to field.
@@barrettgrey I am from Emporia Kansas. I saw THE ROSE at the Drive In with my parents. The double feature that night was THE ROSE and NORMA RAE. I was only 7 years old and we only stayed for the first movie which was THE ROSE. The next week they switched it to NORMA RAE as the first one shown for the night. Anyway I was blown away!! I now find it interesting as I became obsessed with Bette Midler and I vaguely remember seeing her win the Golden Globe that year! I didn't know about Oscars at that age but I think I saw her win the Golden Globe and the Grammy that year
@@samgrosky575 When Grace won though, she and Prince Rainier were not yet engaged, so it was not a factor. For sure, Grace's victory absolutely enhanced her fairy tale narrative, as she was the Oscar-winning actress who, at the height of her career, left everything behind to be a princess.
@@rrinwinI think Grace lived to regret her decision marrying into royalty many years later. She really retired at the height of her acclaim and her rise and trajectory into stardom was astoundingly quick I'd imagine her having the kind of career Audrey Hepburn would have since they both had the same physical and acting appeal treasured by Hollywood. Grace would have given Audrey a good run for her money
@@shihlin1 I'd like to think that yes, as an artist, Grace regretted not having the chance to fulfill her full potential as an actress. But also, I think hers and the Prince's marriage was a love match -- no matter what the tabloids have printed. Her legacy continues to shine brightly in Monaco decades after her death, and her involvement in many charities -- which she could not have done as an actress -- could have given her a lot of satisfaction.
Another WOW video! Thank you for reporting the Garland loss of '54 correctly. There is another awards channel that said Garland was at home on Oscar night. I had to make a correction in the comments. I think another year where it was close, which had been covered in depth, was 2019 when Olivia Coleman beat 7 time nominee Glenn Close. As a fan, that really hurt! Also, the 1950 best actress race was a strange confluence of events to awarded dark horse Judy Holiday, who should have gone to Swanson or Davis. If Davis had won, that would have made her the first actor to win 3 Oscars years before Hepburn! Yet another was 1997 in Supporting Actress when Juliette Binoche (dressed in Count Chocula cos play)won over sentimental favorite Lauren Bacall.
Actually, I thought Close would be the hands-down, runaway winner given her near complete sweep of every precursor award...plus, she had a groundswell of support going into the ceremony (wearing her 40-pound gold dress!). I think we were all devastated at her loss more than she was, but the pain was (and is still) real. 1950 had perhaps the strongest Best Actress lineup in Oscar history, with all 5 nominees worthy of the award. Davis didn't show up that year (she was in Mexico), so she wouldn't have been there to accept her 3rd Oscar (my vote has always been for Swanson). As for Garland, maybe it was a blessing she wasn't there at the Pantages theatre, and was spared the humiliation following the announcement of Kelly. Thanks for sharing your always insightful thoughts and for joining me on this journey through Oscar history!
She was marvellous in Rear Window, as was Jimmy Stewart and Thelma Ritter. Quite unfair that not one of these actors was nominated that year for that movie.
I think her win is for her whole year in film. It just happened that Country Girl was the "prestige film" in 1954. It was even plugged on the famous William Holden episode of "I Love Lucy". There are other examples of people winning Oscars because they had a great year in film; Jennifer Lawrence and Cher come are the first to come to mind.
I think Colin Farrell was robbed of the Oscar. I don’t think it was just between Austin and Brendon. I think Colin gave a brilliant and subtle performance in Banchees. Was upset you didn’t include him.
Unfortunately, Banshees didn't have a lot of momentum going into the ceremony, which is why it lost all 9 nominations. I couldn't include Farrell because he simply wasn't a frontrunner.
@@oscarman42 Agree, that kid was amazing. The entire film was a bit off for me, not sure what it was, but it didn't leave me wanting to see it again. Wasn't Colin known to be a bad boy in the past, not well liked?
Oscarman, I will watch the video later. I am using the wifi of a restaurant on the road. I am visiting a sightseeing : the second biggest statue of BUDA in the world in Espirito Santo State/Brazil. Now, my trip became some sort of "National Lampoons' Christmas vacation"😂😂😂 I feel like being Chavy Chase 😂😂😂 Quickly on the video's subject; I think Jodie Foster vs. Glenn Close in 1988 was very close.
Judy would get my vote; Frasier was my favorite; Bette gave an amazing performance but it should have been a tie, as Sally was also a raving performance; Eddie over Michael… Liza and Diana another tie; Hillary gets my vote; Daniel, Jessica over Michelle; Julie Christie; Ann Brancoft, no doubt. Cate and Michelle were both fantastic; Glenn Close over Olivia Colman; Close (Dangerous Liaisons) over Foster (The Accused)… so many tight Oscar disputes…
I feel like the lead actor contest of 2009 is one that I always think of. Sean Penn won for his performance in Milk over Micky Rourke in The Wrestler. While Milk was a great film, and Penn did a great job, I felt that Rourke in the Wrestler was phenomenal. I know it was a mixed bag going into the awards (both had won the top acting award in other contests going it).
Ok, Three Women Watched this on TCM the other night but have owned the Criterion Blu-ray for years. First aw it when I was very young and didn’t understand it, but now I am amazed at the work by Sissy Spacek and especially Shelley Duvall. I find Duvall’s character very interesting, because she’s so wrapped up in herself that she doesn’t even notice when everyone else is basically ignoring her. I’ve felt like that, but I’ve never thought I was that enthralled with myself although I did notice when other people ignored me. Maybe that’s why I was a Psyc major. I’m a huge Altman fan, especially McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Gosford Park, Short Cuts, Cookie’s Fortune, A Wedding, The Player, Health,Images, and even Popeye has it’s moments. I remember my parents giving me the soundtrack to that on 8track for Christmas the same year I got my “Big Boy Stereo”! Only thing I can ever remember not liking was Dr. T and the Women. My fiancée Eric is not a big fan of his films so that’s one thing I pretty much keep to myself. He just had such a grasp on human nature. An icon! And of course my favorite film of all time “Nashville”. Last year I spent Christmas at Opryland and had my picture made on the steps of the Parthenon. Gay Boy Nirvana!!!
Thank you so much for making the effort to re-send this. I really appreciate it. I think 3 Women was Duvall's best work (the dinner party scene is iconic!). The film takes a second or perhaps third viewing to grasp what it's about, but worth it. I visited friends in Nashville many years ago and they took me to the Parthenon - I had ball pretending to be Barbara Jean (and Barbara Harris lol).
Fun video! Love a nail biter! For further consideration: Gladstone and Stone Yeoh and Blanchett (on the side of the winner here, my own personal favorite best actress win of all time. Yes. I said it. Don't bother. People like me can't be reasoned with). Boseman and Hopkins (Still scratching my head. Though I've been told this wasn't as much a surprise as I think it was). Close and Cher were likely...close (I had to). Luv!
The more recent ones mentioned were indeed very close. I too chose Yeoh and am happy she won. I thought Gladstone would prevail but was surprised (happily) that it went to Stone. I (along with most others) thought the late Boseman would win. As for Close, hopefully soon..... Thanks as always for offering your thoughts on the various topics.
Garland, Butler (though I called Fraser), Field, Keaton, Swank, DDL, Pfieffer, Christie, who is one of my all time faves, Davis, though I understand why Bancroft won.
I’ve always wondered how close Burt Reynolds got to beating Robin Williams when they were both nominated as supporting actor in 1998. I didn’t like Good Will Hunting although it began a very long crush on Matt Damon, yet I was totally floored by Boogie Nights, which I think was a masterpiece. It reminds me so much of Altman (my favorite director).
@sc911man I liked Boogie Nights more too. But I never understood the hoopla around Reynold's performance (though I always liked him). It was OK, but nothing great (at least to me). That said, he was definitely expected to win the Oscar (he thought so too, given his reaction). I also really enjoyed Altman's films (what did you think of 3 Women?).
@@oscarman42wrote a really long response to this but could never get it to post so finally gave up, but I could babble about Altman for hours! This one- fascinating!!!
@@sc911man So frustrating, I know! If I write a long response I copy it first just in case it doesn't go through. Anyway, I'm sure it was full of fascinating information!
Grace Kelly is a model of restraint and discipline in The Country Girl, having the fearlessness and intelligence not to cave in and 'go all out' in melodramatic overkill. The result is a beautifully controlled and nuanced performance that creates a strongly believable character. As impressive as Garland is in ASIB, I can’t help but see behind the performance a lady who is on edge in reality and is acting out a good deal of her troubled life and personality on screen. Thankfully, the Academy saw this and rightly awarded Grace Kelly with the Oscar. Speaking of performances that aren’t what they seem, the Academy has a longstanding predilection for transformative performances that has often denied legitimate contenders of the Oscar. The use of prosthetics and makeup, and increasingly CGI, to transform an actor into a faithful representation of the character they’re portraying can give a performance a false sense of authenticity, making the performance appear more believable than what was done to achieve it by way of pure acting. Poor Austin Butler had the misfortune of falling victim to these artificial representations in performance that have so much of an unfair advantage in relation to an Oscar race; it’s the Oscars equivalent of steroids in sport. Brendan Fraser was good, even Oscar-worthy, but Butler deserved that Oscar more. Great stuff as always, Oscarman. Thank you for this!
@paul2587 Wow! If I tell you my thoughts on upcoming topics, will you write the scripts for me? Your take on Kelly and Garland is simply beyond words. Very fair and balanced. Thank you for looking through the lens in a way that hasn't been articulated here. I get the love and devotion for Garland (as I'm sure you do), but you took note of what many perhaps choose not to see in that performance. Kelly is often maligned for a performance that I thought was pretty good, even if she wasn't the ideal actress for the role. I'm going to echo you by saying "Great stuff, paul2587"!
@@oscarman42 Haha You’re too kind, Oscarman! Thank you! I doubt if I could do justice to a script as much as yourself; you’re precisely the reason why others and I are on here: to hear what you have to say, and the way you say it with your dabs of dry humor and irony!!! You can’t say Judy Garland without feeling some degree of awe, anger (at the way she was abused and manipulated by the Studios), and sadness all wrapped up together. In a way, you could almost say that the real-life edginess some of us perceive she exudes in A Star is Born may have helped to bolster her performance and heighten her authenticity in those many scenes where she was to act tense and distraught. It’s just a shame that she and Grace Kelly had to be up against each other in the same year, but then I suppose you could say the same thing about the few years before that when Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and Gloria Swanson were all in the running, and on many an occasion in the succeeding decades, too. If there’s one thing for sure about Oscar, it is that it's sympathetic to no one.
Looking back at Marion’s performance in la vie en rose, i still couldnt understand why she didnt sweep the whole thangs. I assume she was not wll known that time
Michael Keaton has been a wonderful actor for decades. It’s always interesting to me to see crazy good dramatic work from actors who are traditionally known for their comedy. Michael Keaton, Robin Williams, and Jim Carey (Doing Time on Maple Drive) all come to mind.
@carastone3473 As you likely know, comedy is the more difficult of the two to play convincingly, so it's not surprising that gifted comedians do dramatic roles so well (e.g. Jerry Lewis in the King of Comedy).
I belong to both the Judy Garland and the Julie Christie fan clubs, as I have demonstrated in many previous comments. Both wins should have been certain as far as I'm concerned. Both are cream of the crop in musical and dramatic acting annals. Against the grain entirely, I would have favored Katherine Hepburn in Long Day's Journey into Night or Geraldine Page in Sweet Bird of Youth for Best Actress in 1963 over Bancroft, Davis and Remick. It was indeed one of the best years in Academy history for Best Actress nominations.
@@williamreed2558 Nicely said, great comparisons. Julie was amazing in Away From Her & Marion was just as amazing too. I'm not disagreeing, but after multiple viewings of LVER, I can see why she prevailed.
@@RobertPagano226 Julie versus Marion Cotillard was a close one too, less obvious than Julie versus Julie Andrews in my opinion. Away from Her was a weak translation of Alice Munro's great short story and that didn't help Julie because Le Vien Rose was a better film and better written part. But Julie realized the role beyond the limits of the screenplay
It’s fascinating to me that there aren’t more ties. (If Streisand hadn’t been given early academy membership there would be even less.) As terrific as Midler was, for me I had a hard time seeing the character past her offscreen persona. Field inhabited NR in a way that I totally believed her. Minnelli and Ross was a tough one. That could easily have been a tie.
Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson was, and still is, a performance of a lifetime. Never has there ever been a performance like this one. She would have had my vote as Best Actress - without a doubt!
@jeffbassin630 I completely agree. My vote would have gone to her in a heartbeat, except that Bancroft's performance moves me every time I watch her film. Two very different, very great performances in one year!
"Neck-n-Neck"...LOL!! Judy gave a brilliant performance. The scene shown here of Judy was Oscar worthy in itself. Grace's role, very similar to Shirley in CBLS. Austin did a great job in Elvis, but I'm not a fan of Elvis, so I didn't see the movie, how many movies do we need to see about Elvis that we didn't already know? So happy for Brendon, a good movie IMO, he gave us an understated, but meaningful character who you felt sorry for, but also rooted for as well. I wanted him to succeed with his daughter. Eddie did a wonderful job, very similar to DDL did in MLF. He nailed everything about Stephen & loved Felicity's performance too. I do think this was Michael's comeback role in Birdman. Hilary was brilliant in BDC, Jessica won a lifetime Oscar, Michelle was so deserving & Julie C was Darling. The scenes of Sally holding the union sign is monumental & her talking to her 2 boys were amazing too. I did like Bette in The Rose, that was a hard year with all 5 nominees exceptional. Bette was scary in WHTBJ, I did love her in this role. And yes, she gave us many layers. I said it many times & Michael Oscarman agreed, A&P the greatest duo ever to appear on screen. I can watch that dining room scene over & over again. Loved this video today!!
I know it seems comical, but if you read up on the Oscars "back in the day," you will find that it was indeed true that Kelly and Garland were considered 'neck and neck.' Many think it unfathomable that Garland had any competition, but for the reasons explained in the video, the race between them was considered very tight.
@@oscarman42 I would agree with this and in your video. This may be out-of-line on my part, & only my assumption, but I don't think in those early days of Hollywood everyone still considered Judy as (still) Dorothy from Kansas. Grace was pure, sweet, beautiful and wholesome. Don't think they saw Judy the same way!
@williamreed2558 Let's just say I loved SB more, her soft-spoken, laid back demeanor in great scenes with or without Burt, she blew me away. She and that character broke my heart in CBLS.
oh man, Bette vs. Sally..totally with you here. Bette's performance was 100% perfection. I think the problem was plain and simple. It's not a great film. Supporting casting was odd and the film had a very claustrophobic feel. Too much music, IMO...But, I don't know if anyone else could have played her and I don't think Bette can ever top what she did here. Devastating. As for Bancroft vs. Davis? A tie would have been nice...and really, Bette was a big baby about it, years after losing. Get over it, you had a great career. She even made up a story Crawford had the Oscar for year and toured with it around the world, cause Bancroft was busy doing Mother Courage on Broadway. Mother Courage for a year? I think not. Try 3 months. Ironically, Bancroft was initially cast as Joan in Mommy Dearest and ran from that turkey! In any case, both Miracle Worker and Baby Jane are great films in their own way and both life affirming, if you think about it... "You mean all this time, we could have been friends?" Thanks for the Lee Remick nod...Sad she never won...a great and underrated actress. I'm sure Sigourney came very close to winning more than once...and, not to bring up Bancroft yet again, but I'm confident she was very close to winning a second Oscar for The Graduate. A performance even better, albeit different, from Annie Sullivan. Happy New Year Michael, thanks for months of Saturday morning enjoyment!
@PaulWEvans You've done it once again! Totally true about Crawford and the "traveling Oscar" - didn't happen. Davis used every opportunity to complain about her loss. As for The Rose, it wasn't a great film, which probably worked against Midler, especially with conservative Academy members. Bancroft should have won for The Graduate (and love the mention of her almost playing Crawford - one can only imagine how different that film would have been). I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments - thanks for being a member of the channel. Wishing you the best for 2025.
Richard Burton was robbed of the Oscar. "Virginia Woolf" should have won best Picture and Director as well. Elizabeth Taylor said that the Academy was "Jealous" that she and Burton gave outstanding performances. They couldn't deny Taylor the Oscar, so they took it out on Burton. Both of them were still suffering from the "Cleopatra" backlash. I feel.
Kidman still had the "Sympathy" factor from the unceremonious way Tom Cruise dumped her, there was backlash against Cruise in Hollywood. I also think voters felt Kidman deserved it from "Moulin Rouge" the previous year bc the race betw Halle Berry and Kidman was closer than ppl realized. And voters appreciated Nicole's range from going from a showgirl to being unrecognizable playing Virginia Woolf. But yeah, Renee made it a close one. The two actresses had just finished working together on "Cold Mountain" months earlier
Pfeiffer all the way!!! FBB is one of my all time favorite movies. When I moved to Seattle, I found all the filming locations. She was SO good! Tandy won only because it was sentimental.
I think another close race was Best Actor in 1939. The public had insisted that no one but Clark Gable could have played Rhett Butler in GWTW, and I believe they were correct. His performance was brilliant. GWTW is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I always said I would have to see Goodbye, Mr. Chips before I could believe anyone could have won the award over Gable. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to see the film, and was blown away by the amazing performance by Robert Donat as the shy, gentle Mr. Chippings. He was absolutely captivating in the role, and won me over completely. As much as I love GWTW and Clark Gable's performance, I believe Robert Donat deserved the Oscar that year.
@jeannettestogner5164 That's been a pretty common experience for many on this channel. They couldn't fathom Donat's win until they saw his performance. Afterwards, their votes changed! Thanks for sharing your memory.
I feel the race between Austin and Brendan had more to do with social media. Brendan Fraser has so much love with social media that I feel they had influence in the win. From what I remember it was supposed to be Brendan vs Colin because both were in the business longer and mostly everyone writing off Austin. Fraser wasn’t gonna win the GG due to past conflicts so Austin won and rightly so. Few days after that Brendan was CC. Butler was the surprise winner of the BAFTA upsetting Colin who was favored to win since Banshees was doing well at the BAFTAs. Fraser won SAG and so it depends on which film would win for makeup. But like I said social media had a lot to do with Brendan winning because had Austin won, it would’ve been a meltdown
I remember social media being all over Butler. You couldn't get past a post without seeing him or the film mentioned, which likely pushed Elvis to soar at the box office due to word of mouth.
Another interesting year is 1969 where I assume Maggie Smith, Jane Fonda, and Genevieve Bujold were the top vote getters (over Jean Simmons and Liza Minnelli). The top 3 were all excellent and Maggie Smith won ... but I would have voted for Jane Fonda for THEY SHOOT HORSES, a movie I love.
Fonda was considered the frontrunner, and Minnelli had support too (Garland has recently died). Bujold won the Golden Globe, so there was some thinking she would win. Smith's win was a big surprise, as the film came out early in the year and many assumed it would be forgotten by voting time.
I will never get over the 2022 best actor race, and I actually did like Brendan Fraser’s performance. But Austin Butler was just something else. Just such a perfect performance imo. That is probably my favourite performance of all time, and when the whale won best makeup I just knew what was happening and I was flat the rest of the day lol
@jaidynr87 Exactly what I thought (when the Makeup award was announced). I texted a friend who desperately wanted Butler to win and simply wrote "Uh oh."
I completely agree about Bette Midler vs Sally Field. Midler, like Diana Ross several years earlier, deserved an Oscar for her debut and yes, an honorary Oscar for Bette is due.
The voters liked Sally Field and didn't like Bette. Also, Sally was the flying nun and Gidget so the buzz was all about how different this role was. I didnt think Eddie Redmaynes win was close...sort of recall everyone predicting he'd win
Liza MInnelli played Liza Minnelli in "Cabaret" and, while that's not a bad thing, it does make one yearn for a replay of the 1969 Best Actress race when she created a wholly original, intensely complicated, funny and exasperating character, Pookie Adams in "The Sterile Cuckoo". I can understand Liza's loss to Maggie Smith in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"--they went with the Prestige--yet the film is a theatrical schoolgirl drama of no great importance.
Minnelli nailed the role of Pookie, yet I still can't decide between Smith, Fonda, or Minnelli for '69; for all 3, I think it represents their best film work.
@@oscarman42 I like the two categories of Best Actress nominees at the Golden Globes that year far more--and in that case, I would easily go with Tuesday Weld in "Play It As It Lays". No Oscar nom for Tuesday, so I must go with Liv Ullmann. Why not Diana Ross? She wasn't ready, imo. Plus, I enjoyed her much more in "Mahogany" rather than in the dark, drab "Lady".
It may be hard to remember but Liza didn’t really quite become the Liza we know until after Cabaret. That character informed everything she would do thereafter. At the time of the movie’s release it was seen I think as something daring for her.
Live the pure choices you make and your reasons for them. Love them! But, do not agree 100%. From the beginning: 1) Judy -after HER career=Gold 2) Saw neither - defer to you - but near career ends' best vs 1st timer? 3) I LIKE HER, REALLY LIKE her- sorry Ms M 4) "Batman" 4a) Love Liza, but that LADY sang the best blues 5) Boys do Cry - Super 6)Oscar was correct-sorry Tom 7) Tandy, Tandy, Tandy 8) Julie, your film was alive, like the sound of music 9) Sweet Bird Of Youth - she was the part. 100% and I admit Paul Newman could have influenced my dedication and decision though! -Ann was great - her glasses took away from her character, I think 10) Auntie Mame - to me the biggest upset! Would not have minded, as much, if Ms Taylor won. Oops, there's that Paul Newman again. Love your posts, Thanks
@nathantaylor1921 First of all, you chose Ross, so we are bonded for life! Love the way you described each decision - so creative. I always enjoy learning how others would have voted. Thank you for taking the time to share your choices with us.
Garland vs Kelly my choice would be Garland of course .My personal second choice would have been Dorothy Dandridge . Brendan Fraser vs Austin Butler my choice would be Fraser .My second choice would have been Colin Farrell .Hopefully Farrell and Butler get another chance to win . Sally Field vs Bette Midler -now your asking me to choose between two people that I adore ? I go with Sally Field but I would never hate a Midler win . I think of Field's role here as similar to Streep in Silkwood and I would give the edge to Field as much as I adore Streep. Field lives in that role she could easily seem like that was her life. Eddie Redmayne vs Michael Keaton - I have long said Redmayne here but recently watching Birdman again I am actually curious to why Keaton didn't win especially with that scene you showed .Dressing down the critic seems like an actors dream they would have gone for that performance . I am basically happy with either win .I do overall though prefer Keaton as an actor and enjoy watching him in interviews .I hope he gets another chance .I recently rewatched Spotlight and though he could have been nominated there as well. Liza Minnelli vs Diana Ross- I rewatched Cabaret this week and I think it's the better film easily .The preformances are harder too judge both actresses are required to do a lot and Ross has to reach deep in a lot of those scenes . Maybe one of our wished for ties would have been perfect for this year. Hilary Swank vs Anette Bening -Swank all day ever day it's one of the most devastating performances . Daniel Day Lewis vs Tom Cruise - I think I would with Cruise .Day Lewis wins a lot .Both are pretty powerful here. Jessica Tandy vs Michelle Pfeiffer -Pfeiffer over Tandy . Tandy deserved the Oscar for The Birds Julie Andrews vs Julie Christie . My personal choice is Andrews but I get the Christie win it never seem like she's acting but is not really like her in real life from what I understand . I think I need to rewatch Darling to have a better formed opinion . I think Christie was on a role at this point plus Andrews role might seem similar in a way to her win for Mary Poppins .I might actually change my mind . Anne Bancroft vs Bette Davis - My choice Anne Bancroft . For Davis I do think it's her most iconic role or in the top three .In a different year it might have worked out for her. Lead acting races I think were tight ? The last two years for best actress and it's a split decison for me . I think Michelle Yeoh vs Blanchette was fairly tight my choice Michelle Yeoh Emma Stone vs Lily Gladstone I think was even tighter .My choice Lily Gladstone .My second choice would be Sandra Huller .
@kellie-nd1yp There's little I can add to your excellent analysis of each race discussed. Some great insights offered, and I don't disagree! And you're right - the past two Best Actress races were very close, right up to the ceremony. Great mentions!
I didn’t know anything about Austin Butler before he starred in Elvis. To me, the movie was just okay, but Austin’s performance was ah-ma-zing! That young man didn’t just PLAY Elvis, he BECAME Elvis! It was remarkable to me - someone who clearly remembers seeing the real Elvis perform many times. I feel for Brendon Frazier, but I really felt Austin should’ve won.
@carastone3473 Wow, that's amazing you saw Elvis live! I appreciate your input, because you could rightly judge the performance based on seeing the real person, unlike most of us who are basing our opinion on footage of him.
Interesting parallel between close Best Actress races in 1950 and 1992 in that the vote was split between co-leads, denying any of them but allowing Judy Holliday and Jodie Foster, respectively, to take home Oscar.
I think Grace lived to regret her decision marrying into royalty many years later. She really retired at the height of her acclaim and her rise and trajectory into stardom were astoundingly quick I'd imagine Kelly having the kind of career Audrey Hepburn would have since they both had the same physical and acting appeal treasured by Hollywood. Grace would have given Audrey a good run for her money
I wonder if Garland might have won the Oscar and some precursors had the studio not butchered the film. I grew up on The Flying Nun, so I was as gobsmacked as everyone else by Field in Norma Rae. I wonder how many in the Academy didn't vote for Davis simply because they didn't want her to have a 3rd win.
Warner Brothers did not exactly provide Garland with a major studio push for several reasons, which didn't help. Field had to fight to be cast in Norma Rae, as the studio wasn't interested in casting her. We'll never know how close Davis came to Bancroft (or even if she came in second for that matter). If only we knew!
my choices Oscars 2023 Best Actor Austin Butler (Elvis) vs Brendan Fraser (The Whale) for me Fraser deservingly wins the Oscars... He definitely disappeared and Fraser became the character.. in Butler's case as Elvis still saw him and recognized still Butler.. maybe the editing of the film Elvis that lacks of the eye acting which Fraser give wholely in the film The Whale..
I really don’t think the race between Davis and Bancroft was as tight as one might think. I think it was Bancroft all the way. She was in a life-affirming Broadway hit that was finally coming to the screen. Ultimately, Baby Jane was a low budget horror movie. Some even considered it a bit grotesque at the time. The Academy notoriously dislikes Horror. Also, Bette loses points with me because of her many fictions about Joan Crawford rigging the Oscars against her, tales she only began telling after Joan died.
Looking at the race now vs. through a 1962 lens may be different. Davis was a screen legend making a comeback after a drought of unpopular films, while Bancroft wasn't well known to film audiences. Reading the columns at that time revealed what many believed was a tight race.
Davis also wrote that it was unfair for Bancroft to win because she had played the role on the stage and her Jane character was created "from scratch" (completely disregarding what it takes to rework a stage role for film).
Well, you know what they say: where there's smoke there's fire; Crawford's decision to accept the Best Actress Oscar on Bancroft's behalf was an underhanded thing to do to your co-star who was also up for the same award. What else is Davis or anyone else for that matter supposed to think other than it was move that smacks of spite and betrayal?
I think these races were all closer than many think 1940 Rogers vs Fontaine 1991 Nolte vs Hopkins 1985 Goldberg vs Page 2016 Washington vs Affleck 2020 Hopkins vs Boseman 1965 Steiger vs Marvin 2020 McDormand vs Mulligan 1980 Moore vs Spacek 2018 Close vs Colman 1940 Anderson vs Darwell 2001 Crowe vs Washington 2011 Davis vs Streep 1939 Donat vs Gable 1998 Harris vs Coburn 1996 Binoche vs Bacall 1947 Russell vs Young 1995 Winslet vs Sorvino 1960 Jones vs Leigh 1956 Kerr vs Bergman 2007 Christie vs Cotillard 1997 Gloria vs Kim 1999 Caine vs Cruise 1952 Graeme vs Hagen 1948 Trevor vs Simmons 1947 Peck vs Colman 1988 Geena vs Sigourney 1988 Foster vs Close 1974 Bergman vs Cortese 1978 Smith vs Cannon vs Stapleton 1992 Tomei vs Davis 1976 Meredith vs Olivier vs Robards 1974 Carny vs Nicholson vs Pacino 2021 McPhee vs Kotsur 2022 Blanchett vs Yeoh 2000 Harden vs Hudson 2007 Swinton vs Blanchett vs Dee 2005 Clooney vs Gyllenhall 2012 Waltz vs Jones 1950 Holliday vs Bette and Gloria 1962 Sharif vs Begley 1994 Landau vs Jackson 1970 Hayes vs Black 1997 Williams vs Reynolds 1977 Robards vs Guinness 1951 Bogart vs Brando 1981 Hepburn vs Streep 1962 Duke vs Lansbury 1943 Rains vs Coburn 2001 McKellen vs Broadbent 2022 Bassett vs Curtis 2023 Stone vs Gladstone 1966 Matthau vs Segal vs Mason 1969 Smith vs Fonda 197 Rainer vs Garbo 2015 Stallone vs Rylance 1946 Russell vs Rains 2001 Halle vs Sissy 1996 Blethyn vs McDormand 2013 Jennifer vs Lupita 1961 Newman vs Schell 2015 Winslet vs Vikander 2008 Rourke vs Penn 1963 Newman vs Poitier 1998 Paltrow vs Blanchett 1968 Robertson vs O'Toole 2010 Leo vs Carter 2002 Day Lewis vs Brody 2017 Janney vs Metcalf 2002 Renee vs Nicole 1973 Pacino vs Lemmon 1977 Richard vs Richard 1996 Cruise vs Rush
Bette was strong in ‘Baby Jane’ but I doubt she was even second that year. She won no precursor win. Plus, the Academy was not going to embrace that type of role and film with an ATL win back then. I also don’t think that Hepburn’s sole nom necessarily took her out of the race given that Loren actually won the previous year for a sole nom and a foreign film at that.
I was wondering if the race between Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Capote and Heath Ledger for Brokeback Mountain was close? Ledger gave one of my favorite performances of all time. I felt he was robbed. Don't Get my wrong I have to utmost respect for Hoffman but I have always felt that Capote was too over the top. I remember Capote from the 70's talk show circuit and Hoffmans portrayal just, for me, didn't capture the man I remembered.
@tar2feather I recall that Hoffman was pretty much expected to win following his sweep of the precursor awards. Brokeback was just too divisive among Academy members, with several (Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine) publicly disparaging the film just because of its theme.
Ah interesting, so in a sense Judy Garland was viewed at the time of A Star is Born a little like Joaquin Phoenix in the current awards cycle post Joker 2 and the very bad press about pulling out of the Todd Haynes movie at the last minute - the negative feeling towards them (possibly not entirely deserved in Garland's case but hey she was a woman in the '50s, of course her failings were magnified) has an effect on some Academy voters and damages their chances of winning - not that Phoenix had any chance of even being nominated this time though for the folly of Folie à deux ;) Poor Judy, it's a shame that she didn't win a competitive Oscar, she certainly deserved to win it over uglified Grace Kelly but you're right to say that, though viewed as an upset now, Kelly's victory made perfect sense at the time.
Garland's glory days at MGM were behind her when A Star is Born was released. Plus, her "issues" were well known in the industry, which - at least these days - could have worked in her favor. But judgmental Hollywood appeared to be over her by that point. But other than external matters, there is no real reason why Garland shouldn't have won.
I would agree that Field was the front runner. I believe she had recently won the Emmy for Sybil. She was definitely one Academy's radar. Her performance in Norma Rae is very much remembered. Midler's performance is a little forgotten with the exception of the song "the Rose" which is an endcredit song and not featured in the movie.
Garland's performance didn't do much more for me than Kelly's. I think both were upstaged by their co-leads and would have preferred any of the other Best Actress bominees that year. I think that Field and Christie were decisive winners and I wish that Davis would have been grateful for the Oscars she won and happy to share the wealth. She could have followed Andrews' lead there.
Interesting take on Kelly and Garland. Thank you for sharing your candid thoughts on those two performances, something I rarely see here. As for Davis, modesty wasn't her strong suit.
Oscars 2015 Best Actor Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything) vs Michael Keaton (Birdman) far landslide deserves Eddie Redmayne the Oscars Best Actor.. again Redmayne disappeared and became as Stephen Hawking.. in Keaton case in Birdman Keaton plays Keaton--he was great in it but still didn't give more depth of the character as different from his real life persona..
I completely agree with you on the Butler vs Fraser. Fraser was very good, but it was almost too melodramatic and overplayed at times. Butler MADE that movie. The movie itself was not that great in my opinion, but his performance was remarkable. He completely and totally enveloped Elvis. He was brilliant and should’ve won hands down!!
Judy Garland’s problems had to do with the system itself. It would have been an incredible opportunity to pay her a tribute. Sorry, but Frasier did an incredible job as the whale.
@silvalu80 The Academy had the opportunity to honor Garland for a career spanning nearly two decades, but instead, opted to punish her for behavior they deemed unacceptable (irrespective of the cause). Plus, maybe some members actually preferred Kelly's performance.
I am, and will always be, flabbergasted that Judy Garland did not receive that Oscar for A Star is Born. Grace Kelly was fine in The Country Girl but could not hold a candle to Judy's performance that year. A travesty in my opinion. As for Austin or Brendan, my vote would still be for Brendan Fraser. Austin Butler was amazing as Elvis Presley, but Brendan's performance caused me to have the more emotional response. As for Sally Field or Bette Midler, this is pretty tough. However, I do believe Bette Midler gave the better performance overall. Sally Field's performance was fierce and iconic, but Bette Midler's performance was so visceral and, as you said Michael, so devastating and it really shows. A tie truly would have been justified. As for Eddie Redmayne or Michael Keaton, I do have to say Michael deserved the Oscar that year. Again, you said it brilliantly, he WAS the film and I believe it couldn't have worked with any other actor...he deserved the Academy Award. 1962 has to be one of the top few most competitive races for Best Lead Actress in film history in my opinion. In all honesty, I would have been happy with a 5-way tie lol. However, my choice would have been Geraldine Page. That may be biased though, since I think she's one of the finest actresses in film history in my eyes lol. Not to mention in really was an incredible performance. I adore your videos and I just love that your channel lets us talk about this stuff! Thank you again for what you do, sir! 💖
You make a very important point about Fraser's win...in that you (and likely many Academy voters) had an emotional response to his performance. I understand why it resonated with you and others (me, not so much, but that was more about the film than Fraser's work). I appreciate and respect your choices. When starting the channel, it was my goal to provide a forum for other Oscarphiles to express their thoughts on the good, the bad, and...you know. Your support means a lot, and I look forward to your input on future videos.
Some performances I would be happy with, had they won: De Niro instead of Irons (1990) Nicholson instead of Hackman (1992) Fiennes instead of TLJ (1993) Fiennes instead of Rush (1996) Norton instead of Gooding Jr (1996) Damon instead of Nicholson (1997) Winslet instead of Hunt (1997) Harris instead of Coburn (1998) Norton instead of Benigni (1998) Phoenix instead of Del Toro (2000) Crowe, or Wilkinson instead of Washington (2001 - who could have swapped category nominations with Hawke, and won his second career Oscar in the other category) Owen instead of Freeman (2004) Haley, or Wahlberg instead of Aarkin (2006) Rourke instead of Penn (2008) Sidibe instead of Bullock (2009) Eisenberg instead of Firth (2010 - the same point you made about wanting to see an actor (Keaton) stand on the Oscar stage, when his/her film sweeps big categories) Chastain instead of Lawrence (2012) Dicaprio instead of McConaughey (2013) Fassbender instead of Leto (2013) Cooper instead of Malek (2018) and Ruffalo instead of Downey Jr (2023)
I agree, Garland shoulda won but Grace had the momentum. I'd like to think Fraser won cause H-wood likes a comeback but then again..., Field/Midler could've gone either way. Sally was at her best and so was Bette. I was not a fan of Birdman nor of Michael's performance so Redmayne winning for the kind of role that Oscar loves, was perfect. Pfeiffer would've gotten my vote as would Christie. I agree with your assessment of Davis' performance but I still would've awarded the Oscar to Davis.
It would have been great for Judy Garland, Diana Ross and Bette Midler to join Cher and Barbra Streisand as a singer/actress to win an Oscar. I agree with a tie for Bette, Sally Field was just too good.
Sissy Spacek vs Mary Tyler Moore. That should have been a tie. Sissy won for the role. MTM was devastating in "Ordinary People," and in a role so different from her persona. Both Bettes were my choices to win, and a tie between Liza and Diana would have been nice.
@markcarpenter9235 I thought about 1980, as the race was between those two actresses. If only MTM had been nominated the next year - it would have been a slam dunk. As much as I would overwhelmingly choose Ross for 1972, I would have been more than happy with a tie!
We have a close year this year in both lead actor and actress. I think Adrian Brody and TImothee Chalamet are neck and neck as well as everyone who will be nominated for best actress!
Interesting video. On Bette Midler's short-lived CBS sitcom, she portrayed a version of herself where she was very bitter losing to Sally Field, in a joking way. While The Rose wasn't your typical musical a la Funny Girl, it was, to my knowledge, a powerful musical unbiopic where Bette could show off her dramatic chops. It's interesting you mention Hedda Hopper. Feud portrays her on being on Joan's side, but her column for best performance by an actress in 1962 went Bette Davis, so creative license there. Though it could have been Anne Bancroft. Bette and Joan birthday the Grand Dame Guignol genre, and while the genre itself still exists, i.e. The Substance, the overtone was way more sexist. I think Anne delivered and revived a formerly crashing film career. I always thought Annette Bening and Hillary Swank deserved a tie for 1999 in the category. Due to not seeing American Beauty in a while, since I can't watch anything with Kevin Spacey in it due to obvious cringe, I can say that Hilary Swank did give the stronger performance and proved she could deliver beyond the somewhat mediocre roles she was getting in film post- television. It's just a shame that Annette's been nominated time after time, but she seems to know the outcome these days. She is far from a placeholder actor, but she knows Hollywood will pick the younger usually. That's why she wasn't at this past year's Oscars.
Thanks for watching. Midler's sitcom was regrettable. Loved Feud but didn't know Hopper backed Davis. Bening was in attendance last year. ua-cam.com/video/XDYBUnCqsyw/v-deo.html
@oscarman42 OK. Thank you for reminding me. I did see her in the video. :-) She knows she's still considered a placeholder, but she is far from as an actor herself.
@oscarman42 it's possible she wasn't in her seat when they were presenting the nominees. But, just got back after the winner was announced. It has happened before.
Garland over Kelly. No disrespect to Austin Butler but Elvis is fucking overrated. I think Bette was a longshot because it is just her playing a singer. Sorry Redmayne but I would prefer Keaton. I would stick with Bancroft.
Thanks for another great thought-provoking video. After ABC comes calling, please remember your subs/fanboys/fangirls/fans. In time, it will be Netflix, aka Big Brother, will do the calling. Here's two you mentioned. 1. Cher for Moonstruck and Glenn for Fatal Attention. 2. Sandra for The Blind Side and Meryl for Julia and Julia. The former pair have aged incredibly well. The latter pair, not so much. These four icons just go by their fitst names.
@raydunn8262 Thank you for your continued support and contributions - themselves always thought provoking as well. Btw...love Cher, but not that Oscar win. If anyone comes calling, I will answer. But in the interim, I will continue to enjoy learning from all of the wonderful input from this community of film and Oscar fans.
@oscarman42 The interim is not my concern, afterwards is. Never provide me any personal info. I just got out for wrongly being convicted of stalking. I was just being their #1 fanboy.
Garland turned in a once in a lifetime performance. Kelly struggled with the emotion of the role and was far from convincing. Was she good? Yes, but only good, for her. She didn't have enough talent to pull that off and win an academy award. Garland certainly did. It was political and the industry was not finished making an example out of one of their greatest talents.
Austin butler and Colin Farrell were my favorites in the best actor lineup in 2023 I was more happy for Brandon bc of his comeback and journey. Cate blanchett vs Michelle yeoh was another tight race, in another year cate wouldn’t won but there was a stronger campaign for EEAAO and narrative for michelle, coupled with how great performance is, but the race was tight and stiff between the two. I also think of viola Davis vs Meryl Streep in 2012, as well as recently lily Gladstone vs Emma stone.
@Kevin-rg3yc I agree about 2022....a very tight race, though I voted for Yeoh at SAG and all the Oscar pools, so I'm happy she won (deservedly). Gladstone and Stone also (I voted Stone for SAG but thought Gladstone would definitely win).
The Duke win was TOTALLY wrong. Duke had a this large, sympatheic role as Keller, but to deny Angela Lansbury as Harvey's evil mother in The Manchrian Candidate" now remains one of the most infamous losses in Academy history. She was ELECTRIC. And to your point: It's completely absurd to say that it was a must that both co-stars in Miracle Worker HAD to win. Why? May I ask. Other films had double nominees in (Lead and Support) with only one winning. So again, this is just a subjective opinion regarding Bancroft and Duke. My vote would have gone to Davis and Lansbury. Bette was so great, as you have detailed, and she was way overdue as the quintessential great Hollywood female actor. Lansbury's loss propelled her to get the hell out of Hollywood and head for Broadway where she made history with 5 TONY awards plus other nominations. Broadway did what Hollywood was incpable of doing for a great talent like Angela L.
I think Denzel Washington just edged out Russel Crowe in 2002.. I think if Crowe hadn’t shoved a producer at the baftas he might have won.. Washington lost another close one to Kevin spacey which he should have won in 2000.. that also helped ..
Lots of food for thought here michael, great video. There are some results I'd like to see like how much was between cage and penn in 95, scofield and Burton in 66, peck and o toole in 62, cagney and cooper in 42, how much did gary cooper in sergeant york beat orson welles in citizen kane by? Or how many votes was paul lukas ahead of bogey in casablanca..
totally agree with Scofield and Burton.
@@tjh12473I wouldn't think there was much between them.
Thank you, as always, Pat. You bring up some interesting years, especially 66. One can only imagine how few votes Burton may have missed against Scofield.
@@patburke5740 Amazing memory Pat, great duos chosen in the same year, you went back real far! Kudos!
@RobertPagano226 thanks robert, gary cooper and paul lukas are often slated in polls because most people think bogey and orson welles deserved to win but I think both cooper and lukas deserved their oscars. I wonder how much was between art carney and all pacino or Jack nicholson in 74?
This wonderful video could also be called: 'Oscar races where a tie would've been warranted and celebrated'
@@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 Yes Dr, very true!
@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 I'm all for it! Great call!
I think that in 2003, it was a close race votes-wise between the eventual winner Nicole Kidman ("The Hours") and Renee Zellweger ("Chicago"). However, I think that the winning performance that year was Julianne Moore's for "Far From Heaven".
@rrinwin I will be discussing that race and those three performances in a future video.
@oscarman42 Looking forward to it 💙
Best actress of 2003 is the year when all the nominees (except salma) deserved to win. I personally prefer kidman to zellweger, moore and lane.
Also based on the 2003 competition, i strongly believe nicole will win for baby girl. Remember, nicole was not a contender until late in december during the globes while everyone thought julianne would win but she lost momentum in big award such as Globes, sag bafta etc
Kidman still had the "Sympathy" factor from the unceremonious way Tom Cruise dumped her, there was backlash against Cruise in Hollywood.
I also think voters felt Kidman deserved it from "Moulin Rouge" the previous year and now she went from playing a showgirl to being totally unrecognizable playing Virginia Woolf.
But Renee made it a very close race
The picture of Bancroft and Davis at 19:04 is hysterical!
LOL - glad you got what I intended!
Oscars 2023 Best Actress
Cate Blanchett (Tár) vs Michelle Yeoh (Everything Everywhere All At Once)
In this case I thought it was Blanchett getting the Oscars but when both watch Tár & Everything Everywhere All At Once--we've seen Blanchett this style acting before contrastingly of what Yeoh gives us..
Yeoh won because of something new from her previous works and depths of Yeoh's character from the film in the same case of Fraser in The Whale.. both Yeoh's & Fraser's character are more dimensional characterizations and emotions
@aaronjanlistanco I agree. I voted for Yeoh at SAG and was happy she was finally acknowledged by her peers.
@@aaronjanlistanco Well thought out analysis, good reasonings behind why they won.
@aaronjanlisanco You bring up a good point. When actors give us solid, fresh performances that is different than what we know them for, it helps their odds in receiving the awards.
And as for other close races in the lead categories:
Sean Penn vs Bill Murray (2003), Penn vs Mickey Rourke (2008), Denzel Washington vs Russell Crowe (2001), Paul Newman vs Bob Hoskins (1986), Humphrey Bogart vs Marlon Brando (1951), Loretta Young vs Rosalind Russell (1947)
Some really interesting races. I wonder how close it was in 1951, and if Russell even came in second in 1947 (since she was supposed to be so far ahead of the others but didn't win).
Murray got robbed.
As much as I LOVE Cher I think Glenn Close deserved the Oscar for Fatal Attraction!
Absolutely! 💯🎭 Cher's performance in Silkwood was the beginning of what should have seen Cher winning the Oscsr not for Moonstruck, but rather for the Mask. Glenn unfortunately was attacked by both prominent women's groups as well as the "Suits" viciously. Here as well Glenn's name was never in the conversation for the role of Alex Forrest until it was. This role was not the just another recycled character based on the late Jessica Walter in Play Misty For Me.
Fatal Attraction was offered to just about every actress and entertainer in the phone book. Everyone from the late Gilda Radner of Saturday Night Live fame, Annie Potts of Designing Women fame, Meryl Streep, Barbara Hershey, Isabella Rossellini, to the incomparable Broadway legend Christine Ebersole etc.
As gifted some of the individuals that I referenced, none could have succeeded. Glenn Close's dedication to bringing Alex Forrest's character to life quite literally through "researching" in a way that really was uniquely organic. She she was deeply invested for all the right reasons, as proven by her communication with i.e psychiatrists, as well as other mental health and law enforcement experts, in order to understand who Alex really was from a mental health perspective while also humanizing Alex simultaneously. 💯🎭🏆
The l👀k on Bette Davis' face when you announced your choice between her and Bancroft was PRICELESS!! 😂🤣
@dimitrimerritt7641 LOL - and probably what her expression was at the time, right?
😂 I thought the same thing. Perfect timing.
@@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 Bette never hid her feelings, did she? 😉
@oscarman42 she did not... and her eyes are so expressive 👁👁
@@jonathanvelazquezph.d.2719 Those "Bette Davis Eyes" 😉
🏆🎭1️⃣9️⃣5️⃣0️⃣🎭🏆
BEST ACTRESS (LEAD)
Bette Davis vs. Gloria Swanson
One of the great competitions in the history of the Academy Awards PERIOD!
With all due respect to Judy Holliday, she won by default as Davis & Swanson were in films (ALL ABOUT EVE & SUNSET BOULEVARD) that originally never saw, or considered either actress cast as Margo Channing (DAVIS) or Norma Desmond (SWANSON). In my opinion , their performances were so brilliant that essentially, they canceled each other out. This was also a year for which both actresses were underestimated. Sunset Boulevard was Swanson's first "TALKIE PICTURE" and much like Swanson, Davis brilliantly represented Margo Channing even though the role felt specifically designed and even written with Tallulah Bankhead in mind from its conception to the very last scene. This was very much a resurgence for both actresses and boy did they deliver flawlessly!
I would have been fine with a tie for the Oscar here but for me, Gloria Swanson should have won. Even Bette Davis acknowledged that fact.
My vote would have gone to Swanson as well.
@@oscarman42🎭🌠
Baby Jane came out a few years before I was born. I saw it on TV when I was a kid. Always loved it.
@carastone3473 That's the way lots of us discovered that movie. I watch it every chance I get.
Pfeiffer was amazing, she deserved the Oscar, and I think she would have won if they had submitted her in supporting instead of lead. Brenda Fricker was excellent in My Left Foot but Michelle gave one of those performances that make the movie even though she wasn't one of the title characters. Also, I wonder if Bening would have won if she had been submitted for supporting, as she had only 28 minutes of screen time in American Beauty, less than Angelina Jolie had in Girl Interrupted.
@davedavis8786 Placing Bening in supporting has been mentioned often on this channel, but I think she was the leading lady of the film (and won the SAG for lead). I hadn't thought of Pfeiffer in supporting, probably for the same reason. I really wish Pfeiffer had won for that one.
Pfeiffer is spectacularly dazzling in her role as the glamorous Susie Diamond, but I think it wouldn't have been very fair for her to be nominated in the supporting category since she won the Best Actress award at the four most important film critics associations (NBR, NYFCC, NSFC and LAFCA), not to mention the fact that she won the Globe for Best Actress - Drama. Tandy won the Globe but in Comedy or Musical, a very rare feat for an Oscar-winning performance. At that time it was said that Tandy was favored by the fact that her film was nominated for Best Picture (Driving Miss Daisy, winning in the end) and because they wanted to "reward" her career.
1962 Oscar ceremony might have had Natalie Wood in second place for "Splendor in the Grass." Besides also starring in the Best Picture of the year, she had two "Oscar-bait" scenes in her home studio, Elia Kazan directed drama: 1) her on-the-spot forced classroom explanation of the Wordsworth poem and 2) the bathtub confrontation by her mom about being 'spoiled.'
@VTMCompany Loren's win was considered a surprise since that had never happened before (a performance in a foreign language film). Natalie certainly was in the running.
@@oscarman42 "Two Women" doesn't hold up as well as "Splendor in the Grass."
In the case of Austin Butler vs Brendan Fraser, that was an EZ one since it was very recent.
Brendan had a lot of momentum going into the Oscars.
He'd been gone from Hollywood for almost 20 years, his sexual harassment case from a Hollywood insider was well publicized and "The Whale" was a comeback vehicle for him.
He also gave several emotional speeches in victory awards throughout the awards season.
In any other year, Austin would've won.
Voters felt sympathetic towards Brendan, he was Hollywood's "Comeback Kid" that year, ppl knew his glory years were behind him.
Whereas in Austin's case you knew his future ahead of him was long and bright.
I recall the only major award Austin beat Brendan was the BAFTA award in UK, Brendan won Golden Globe, Critic's Choice and SAG
That particular race was mostly due to social media and their love for Brendan. I remember that it was supposed to be between Brendan and Colin Farrell since they were in the industry longer than Austin. Brendan didn’t win GG because of the situation with the former president of the GGs so Austin won and he upset Colin in the BAFTAs. Fraser won CC and SAG and it all hinges on which film would win for makeup
@alpe1987 Ur right abt Brendan not winning GG, my bad.
He made a point of not attending the show.
I did watch "The Whale" bc of his Oscar win, but not "Elvis" to compare their performances; Whale was a great watch.
The Asian actress in the movie was incredible too, can't believe Jamie Lee Curtis won, many many ppl complain abt the supporting actress win that year, Kerry Condon in "Banshees" and the two Asian actresses from " Whale" and "Everything Everywhere" were standouts, JLC was the weakest one.
I hope there's discussion on how/why JLC won
Yes, but the BAFTA has been the major predictor in recent years, hence my thought that the win tipped in Butler's favor.
@@shihlin1 There has been a lot of discussion about JLC here. I voted for Condon at SAG.
Thanks for the great video. Here’s a few others that I believe to be very close. Actress: 1973 Glenda Jackson vs Ellen Burstyn; 1980 Sissy Spacek vs Mary Tyler Moore; 1981 Katherine Hepburn vs Meryl Streep; 1988 Jodie Foster vs Glenn Close; 1997 Helen Hunt vs Kate Winslet; 1998 Gwyneth Paltrow vs Cate Blanchett - Actor: 1974 Art Carney vs Al Pacino; 1993 Tom Hanks vs Liam Neeson;
Some very close races indeed! Thank you for sharing them and for your viewership.
Like Sally Field as an actress but always felt that her performance in Norma Rae was too 'look at me, look at me' Oscar baity even though the movie was released early in the year. Bette Midler was absolutely astounding in The Rose but as you mentioned the movie wasn't critically well received.
And of course Glenn Close vs. Jessica Lange, Glenn Close vs, Cher, Glenn Close vs. Jodie Foster and Glenn Close vs. Olivia Coleman.
💯
With all due respect for Field, a lot of her career has actually been a series of "Look at me!" performances, so I understand what you mean. I'll be discussing Close vs. Lange in a future video.
@@gittes98 THE ROSE was well received. Bette Midler was praised by all of the film critics for her performance and the film itself got mostly good reviews, some mixed reviews.
I read that Bette Midler was informed by some Academy voters a few days before the ceremony that they are voting for her giving "high hopes" of winning. If you watch the Best Actress clip you can tell Bette was kind of anxious and ready to rise but when the envelope was opened, it was Sally - you can tell Bette had an internal meltdown. She even joke her lost when she presented at the Oscars presenting Best Original Song.
@dobazajr Midler looked very nervous, which I completely understand. She also joked about that night when she once did standup, telling the audience that instead of her, the Academy voted for Field because "they LIKED her, they really LIKED her!"
Bette Midler should have won. She was robbed!
@@oscarman42 she also lampooned the loss as an ongoing joke mentioned in her ill -fated CBS sitcom BETTE in 2000. Interestingly Sally Field refused to make a guest appearance on BETTE which Bette mentioned in the press.
@@kristopherwilhite I remember that (the series was just a mistake). Field was always so self-deprecating; disappointed she refused to appear.
Oscars 2019 Best Actor
Christian Bale (Vice) vs Rami Malek (Bohemian Rhapsody)
for me non of this two.. my choice is Willem Dafoe in his performance as Vincent Van Gogh in the film At Eternity's Gate... why?... acting wise Dafoe gives more as Van Gogh's struggles in life and embodies Dafoe the pain, the character as the real life person and for me Dafoe was slightly lool a alike of Van Gogh in the film
Lots of support here for Dafoe's performance in the little-seen film.
Saw both norma and the rose in 1979. That year always holds a special place for me. It was the first time I saw all best picture, director, all 4 acting before the academy awards. That was hard to do in wichita, ks in 1979. Very close with slight edge to field.
I have no point of reference to small town life, so I really appreciate you sharing your memories of that experience with us.
@@barrettgrey I am from Emporia Kansas. I saw THE ROSE at the Drive In with my parents. The double feature that night was THE ROSE and NORMA RAE. I was only 7 years old and we only stayed for the first movie which was THE ROSE. The next week they switched it to NORMA RAE as the first one shown for the night. Anyway I was blown away!! I now find it interesting as I became obsessed with Bette Midler and I vaguely remember seeing her win the Golden Globe that year! I didn't know about Oscars at that age but I think I saw her win the Golden Globe and the Grammy that year
Also, Grace Kelly was very publicly retiring from acting to become the princess of Monaco. So i think that played a key role in her win as well
@@samgrosky575 When Grace won though, she and Prince Rainier were not yet engaged, so it was not a factor.
For sure, Grace's victory absolutely enhanced her fairy tale narrative, as she was the Oscar-winning actress who, at the height of her career, left everything behind to be a princess.
@samgrosky575 I don't think that occurred until a few years later.
@@rrinwinI think Grace lived to regret her decision marrying into royalty many years later.
She really retired at the height of her acclaim and her rise and trajectory into stardom was astoundingly quick
I'd imagine her having the kind of career Audrey Hepburn would have since they both had the same physical and acting appeal treasured by Hollywood.
Grace would have given Audrey a good run for her money
@@shihlin1 I'd like to think that yes, as an artist, Grace regretted not having the chance to fulfill her full potential as an actress.
But also, I think hers and the Prince's marriage was a love match -- no matter what the tabloids have printed. Her legacy continues to shine brightly in Monaco decades after her death, and her involvement in many charities -- which she could not have done as an actress -- could have given her a lot of satisfaction.
All this discussion is very interesting 😊 Watching from Northeast India
Welcome!
Another WOW video! Thank you for reporting the Garland loss of '54 correctly. There is another awards channel that said Garland was at home on Oscar night. I had to make a correction in the comments. I think another year where it was close, which had been covered in depth, was 2019 when Olivia Coleman beat 7 time nominee Glenn Close. As a fan, that really hurt! Also, the 1950 best actress race was a strange confluence of events to awarded dark horse Judy Holiday, who should have gone to Swanson or Davis. If Davis had won, that would have made her the first actor to win 3 Oscars years before Hepburn! Yet another was 1997 in Supporting Actress when Juliette Binoche (dressed in Count Chocula cos play)won over sentimental favorite Lauren Bacall.
Actually, I thought Close would be the hands-down, runaway winner given her near complete sweep of every precursor award...plus, she had a groundswell of support going into the ceremony (wearing her 40-pound gold dress!). I think we were all devastated at her loss more than she was, but the pain was (and is still) real. 1950 had perhaps the strongest Best Actress lineup in Oscar history, with all 5 nominees worthy of the award. Davis didn't show up that year (she was in Mexico), so she wouldn't have been there to accept her 3rd Oscar (my vote has always been for Swanson). As for Garland, maybe it was a blessing she wasn't there at the Pantages theatre, and was spared the humiliation following the announcement of Kelly. Thanks for sharing your always insightful thoughts and for joining me on this journey through Oscar history!
If Grace would have just won for Rear Window I don’t think her win would remain that controversial.
@sweetbutterbaby Very interesting hypothesis!
She was marvellous in Rear Window, as was Jimmy Stewart and Thelma Ritter. Quite unfair that not one of these actors was nominated that year for that movie.
I think her win is for her whole year in film. It just happened that Country Girl was the "prestige film" in 1954. It was even plugged on the famous William Holden episode of "I Love Lucy".
There are other examples of people winning Oscars because they had a great year in film; Jennifer Lawrence and Cher come are the first to come to mind.
@@tjh12473 I agree (and love the Lucy reference).
I think Colin Farrell was robbed of the Oscar. I don’t think it was just between Austin and Brendon. I think Colin gave a brilliant and subtle performance in Banchees. Was upset you didn’t include him.
Although I chose BF in this video, you make a great point about CF. 4 acting noms from the same film is an amazing feat.
Unfortunately, Banshees didn't have a lot of momentum going into the ceremony, which is why it lost all 9 nominations. I couldn't include Farrell because he simply wasn't a frontrunner.
@@RobertPagano226 I thought Keoghan and Condon were excellent.
@@oscarman42 Agree, that kid was amazing. The entire film was a bit off for me, not sure what it was, but it didn't leave me wanting to see it again. Wasn't Colin known to be a bad boy in the past, not well liked?
Oscarman,
I will watch the video later.
I am using the wifi of a restaurant on the road.
I am visiting a sightseeing : the second biggest statue of BUDA in the world in Espirito Santo State/Brazil.
Now, my trip became some sort of "National Lampoons' Christmas vacation"😂😂😂 I feel like being Chavy Chase 😂😂😂
Quickly on the video's subject; I think Jodie Foster vs. Glenn Close in 1988 was very close.
@ANDREandTheOscars Enjoy your vacation! And you are WAY funnier than Chevy Chase. Foster vs. Close was, indeed, close.
Judy would get my vote; Frasier was my favorite; Bette gave an amazing performance but it should have been a tie, as Sally was also a raving performance; Eddie over Michael… Liza and Diana another tie; Hillary gets my vote; Daniel, Jessica over Michelle; Julie Christie; Ann Brancoft, no doubt.
Cate and Michelle were both fantastic; Glenn Close over Olivia Colman; Close (Dangerous Liaisons) over Foster (The Accused)… so many tight Oscar disputes…
@silvalu80 Thank you for sharing your choices for those particular years, as well as adding some other "close" races!
I feel like the lead actor contest of 2009 is one that I always think of. Sean Penn won for his performance in Milk over Micky Rourke in The Wrestler.
While Milk was a great film, and Penn did a great job, I felt that Rourke in the Wrestler was phenomenal.
I know it was a mixed bag going into the awards (both had won the top acting award in other contests going it).
Ok, Three Women
Watched this on TCM the other night but have owned the Criterion Blu-ray for years. First aw it when I was very young and didn’t understand it, but now I am amazed at the work by Sissy Spacek and especially Shelley Duvall. I find Duvall’s character very interesting, because she’s so wrapped up in herself that she doesn’t even notice when everyone else is basically ignoring her. I’ve felt like that, but I’ve never thought I was that enthralled with myself although I did notice when other people ignored me. Maybe that’s why I was a Psyc major. I’m a huge Altman fan, especially McCabe and Mrs. Miller, Gosford Park, Short Cuts, Cookie’s Fortune, A Wedding, The Player, Health,Images, and even Popeye has it’s moments. I remember my parents giving me the soundtrack to that on 8track for Christmas the same year I got my “Big Boy Stereo”! Only thing I can ever remember not liking was Dr. T and the Women. My fiancée Eric is not a big fan of his films so that’s one thing I pretty much keep to myself. He just had such a grasp on human nature. An icon! And of course my favorite film of all time “Nashville”. Last year I spent Christmas at Opryland and had my picture made on the steps of the Parthenon. Gay Boy Nirvana!!!
Thank you so much for making the effort to re-send this. I really appreciate it. I think 3 Women was Duvall's best work (the dinner party scene is iconic!). The film takes a second or perhaps third viewing to grasp what it's about, but worth it. I visited friends in Nashville many years ago and they took me to the Parthenon - I had ball pretending to be Barbara Jean (and Barbara Harris lol).
Fun video! Love a nail biter!
For further consideration:
Gladstone and Stone
Yeoh and Blanchett (on the side of the winner here, my own personal favorite best actress win of all time. Yes. I said it. Don't bother. People like me can't be reasoned with).
Boseman and Hopkins (Still scratching my head. Though I've been told this wasn't as much a surprise as I think it was).
Close and Cher were likely...close (I had to).
Luv!
The more recent ones mentioned were indeed very close. I too chose Yeoh and am happy she won. I thought Gladstone would prevail but was surprised (happily) that it went to Stone. I (along with most others) thought the late Boseman would win. As for Close, hopefully soon..... Thanks as always for offering your thoughts on the various topics.
Garland, Butler (though I called Fraser), Field, Keaton, Swank, DDL, Pfieffer, Christie, who is one of my all time faves, Davis, though I understand why Bancroft won.
I’ve always wondered how close Burt Reynolds got to beating Robin Williams when they were both nominated as supporting actor in 1998. I didn’t like Good Will Hunting although it began a very long crush on Matt Damon, yet I was totally floored by Boogie Nights, which I think was a masterpiece. It reminds me so much of Altman (my favorite director).
@sc911man I liked Boogie Nights more too. But I never understood the hoopla around Reynold's performance (though I always liked him). It was OK, but nothing great (at least to me). That said, he was definitely expected to win the Oscar (he thought so too, given his reaction). I also really enjoyed Altman's films (what did you think of 3 Women?).
@@oscarman42Fascinating !
I wrote a really (too) long response to this question but could never get it to post so I gave up after 10 minutes
@@oscarman42wrote a really long response to this but could never get it to post so finally gave up, but I could babble about Altman for hours!
This one- fascinating!!!
@@sc911man So frustrating, I know! If I write a long response I copy it first just in case it doesn't go through. Anyway, I'm sure it was full of fascinating information!
@@sc911man Are you referring to 3 Women? Damn, wish I could read that review.
Grace Kelly is a model of restraint and discipline in The Country Girl, having the fearlessness and intelligence not to cave in and 'go all out' in melodramatic overkill. The result is a beautifully controlled and nuanced performance that creates a strongly believable character.
As impressive as Garland is in ASIB, I can’t help but see behind the performance a lady who is on edge in reality and is acting out a good deal of her troubled life and personality on screen. Thankfully, the Academy saw this and rightly awarded Grace Kelly with the Oscar.
Speaking of performances that aren’t what they seem, the Academy has a longstanding predilection for transformative performances that has often denied legitimate contenders of the Oscar. The use of prosthetics and makeup, and increasingly CGI, to transform an actor into a faithful representation of the character they’re portraying can give a performance a false sense of authenticity, making the performance appear more believable than what was done to achieve it by way of pure acting.
Poor Austin Butler had the misfortune of falling victim to these artificial representations in performance that have so much of an unfair advantage in relation to an Oscar race; it’s the Oscars equivalent of steroids in sport. Brendan Fraser was good, even Oscar-worthy, but Butler deserved that Oscar more.
Great stuff as always, Oscarman. Thank you for this!
@paul2587 Wow! If I tell you my thoughts on upcoming topics, will you write the scripts for me? Your take on Kelly and Garland is simply beyond words. Very fair and balanced. Thank you for looking through the lens in a way that hasn't been articulated here. I get the love and devotion for Garland (as I'm sure you do), but you took note of what many perhaps choose not to see in that performance. Kelly is often maligned for a performance that I thought was pretty good, even if she wasn't the ideal actress for the role. I'm going to echo you by saying "Great stuff, paul2587"!
You are so right. Grace Kelly is believable, nuanced and is the heart of the film.
@@oscarman42 Haha You’re too kind, Oscarman! Thank you! I doubt if I could do justice to a script as much as yourself; you’re precisely the reason why others and I are on here: to hear what you have to say, and the way you say it with your dabs of dry humor and irony!!!
You can’t say Judy Garland without feeling some degree of awe, anger (at the way she was abused and manipulated by the Studios), and sadness all wrapped up together. In a way, you could almost say that the real-life edginess some of us perceive she exudes in A Star is Born may have helped to bolster her performance and heighten her authenticity in those many scenes where she was to act tense and distraught. It’s just a shame that she and Grace Kelly had to be up against each other in the same year, but then I suppose you could say the same thing about the few years before that when Bette Davis, Anne Baxter and Gloria Swanson were all in the running, and on many an occasion in the succeeding decades, too. If there’s one thing for sure about Oscar, it is that it's sympathetic to no one.
@@Dave-hp7gd Thank you!
@@paul2587 OMG, Paul, I just read this entry, very powerful & superbly & masterfully done.
Julie Christie and Marion Cotillard in 2008.
@@MrS98VAC Yes this is a good one too!
@MrS98VAC I agree. I thought Christie would win based on her near sweep of the precursors. Was I surprised!
@@oscarman42 The right performance won.
Looking back at Marion’s performance in la vie en rose, i still couldnt understand why she didnt sweep the whole thangs. I assume she was not wll known that time
@@makeithappenwithenglish1648 I agree
I want to see the 19:04min moment that everybody is talking about !!!😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂
@@ANDREandTheOscars It was a still pic of them side by side. I did get a chuckle too.
@ANDREandTheOscars It was just a throwaway bit but I'm happy so many liked it!
Michael Keaton has been a wonderful actor for decades. It’s always interesting to me to see crazy good dramatic work from actors who are traditionally known for their comedy. Michael Keaton, Robin Williams, and Jim Carey (Doing Time on Maple Drive) all come to mind.
@carastone3473 As you likely know, comedy is the more difficult of the two to play convincingly, so it's not surprising that gifted comedians do dramatic roles so well (e.g. Jerry Lewis in the King of Comedy).
I belong to both the Judy Garland and the Julie Christie fan clubs, as I have demonstrated in many previous comments. Both wins should have been certain as far as I'm concerned. Both are cream of the crop in musical and dramatic acting annals. Against the grain entirely, I would have favored Katherine Hepburn in Long Day's Journey into Night or Geraldine Page in Sweet Bird of Youth for Best Actress in 1963 over Bancroft, Davis and Remick. It was indeed one of the best years in Academy history for Best Actress nominations.
@@williamreed2558 Nicely said, great comparisons. Julie was amazing in Away From Her & Marion was just as amazing too. I'm not disagreeing, but after multiple viewings of LVER, I can see why she prevailed.
@williamreed2558 Thank you, William, for being so tactful, as I know your feelings about Baby Jane. I can always count on you to be a class act!
@@RobertPagano226 Julie versus Marion Cotillard was a close one too, less obvious than Julie versus Julie Andrews in my opinion. Away from Her was a weak translation of Alice Munro's great short story and that didn't help Julie because Le Vien Rose was a better film and better written part. But Julie realized the role beyond the limits of the screenplay
@@oscarman42 You are a keen interpreter, Michael
@@oscarman42 Yes, Will is a class act!
It’s fascinating to me that there aren’t more ties. (If Streisand hadn’t been given early academy membership there would be even less.) As terrific as Midler was, for me I had a hard time seeing the character past her offscreen persona. Field inhabited NR in a way that I totally believed her. Minnelli and Ross was a tough one. That could easily have been a tie.
Bette Davis as Baby Jane Hudson was, and still is, a performance of a lifetime. Never has there ever been a performance like this one. She would have had my vote as Best Actress - without a doubt!
@jeffbassin630 I completely agree. My vote would have gone to her in a heartbeat, except that Bancroft's performance moves me every time I watch her film. Two very different, very great performances in one year!
I still believe that Hepburn's performance was one of her best. It was riveting, and her descent into addiction was harrowing.@@oscarman42
"Neck-n-Neck"...LOL!! Judy gave a brilliant performance. The scene shown here of Judy was Oscar worthy in itself. Grace's role, very similar to Shirley in CBLS.
Austin did a great job in Elvis, but I'm not a fan of Elvis, so I didn't see the movie, how many movies do we need to see about Elvis that we didn't already know? So happy for Brendon, a good movie IMO, he gave us an understated, but meaningful character who you felt sorry for, but also rooted for as well. I wanted him to succeed with his daughter.
Eddie did a wonderful job, very similar to DDL did in MLF. He nailed everything about Stephen & loved Felicity's performance too. I do think this was Michael's comeback role in Birdman.
Hilary was brilliant in BDC, Jessica won a lifetime Oscar, Michelle was so deserving & Julie C was Darling.
The scenes of Sally holding the union sign is monumental & her talking to her 2 boys were amazing too. I did like Bette in The Rose, that was a hard year with all 5 nominees exceptional.
Bette was scary in WHTBJ, I did love her in this role. And yes, she gave us many layers. I said it many times & Michael Oscarman agreed, A&P the greatest duo ever to appear on screen. I can watch that dining room scene over & over again. Loved this video today!!
I know it seems comical, but if you read up on the Oscars "back in the day," you will find that it was indeed true that Kelly and Garland were considered 'neck and neck.' Many think it unfathomable that Garland had any competition, but for the reasons explained in the video, the race between them was considered very tight.
@@oscarman42 I would agree with this and in your video. This may be out-of-line on my part, & only my assumption, but I don't think in those early days of Hollywood everyone still considered Judy as (still) Dorothy from Kansas. Grace was pure, sweet, beautiful and wholesome. Don't think they saw Judy the same way!
@@RobertPagano226 Excellent connection of Grace Kelly's role to Shirley Booth's in Come Back Little Sheba. And guess who was better?!
@williamreed2558 Let's just say I loved SB more, her soft-spoken, laid back demeanor in great scenes with or without Burt, she blew me away. She and that character broke my heart in CBLS.
@@williamreed2558 Not even in the same league!
oh man, Bette vs. Sally..totally with you here. Bette's performance was 100% perfection. I think the problem was plain and simple. It's not a great film. Supporting casting was odd and the film had a very claustrophobic feel. Too much music, IMO...But, I don't know if anyone else could have played her and I don't think Bette can ever top what she did here. Devastating.
As for Bancroft vs. Davis? A tie would have been nice...and really, Bette was a big baby about it, years after losing. Get over it, you had a great career. She even made up a story Crawford had the Oscar for year and toured with it around the world, cause Bancroft was busy doing Mother Courage on Broadway. Mother Courage for a year? I think not. Try 3 months. Ironically, Bancroft was initially cast as Joan in Mommy Dearest and ran from that turkey! In any case, both Miracle Worker and Baby Jane are great films in their own way and both life affirming, if you think about it... "You mean all this time, we could have been friends?"
Thanks for the Lee Remick nod...Sad she never won...a great and underrated actress. I'm sure Sigourney came very close to winning more than once...and, not to bring up Bancroft yet again, but I'm confident she was very close to winning a second Oscar for The Graduate. A performance even better, albeit different, from Annie Sullivan.
Happy New Year Michael, thanks for months of Saturday morning enjoyment!
@PaulWEvans You've done it once again! Totally true about Crawford and the "traveling Oscar" - didn't happen. Davis used every opportunity to complain about her loss. As for The Rose, it wasn't a great film, which probably worked against Midler, especially with conservative Academy members. Bancroft should have won for The Graduate (and love the mention of her almost playing Crawford - one can only imagine how different that film would have been). I always enjoy reading your thoughtful comments - thanks for being a member of the channel. Wishing you the best for 2025.
@@PaulWEvans Paul hit a home run here. Great compromises and analytics displayed here.
@@RobertPagano226 It's Michael's fault! TY. 🤓
@@oscarman42 TY master! 😜
@@RobertPagano226 He always does!
Two races that were probably close were Paul Scofield vs Richard Burton (Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf) and Nicole Kidman vs Renee Zellweger
I'll be discussing Kidman/Zellweger in a future video.
Richard Burton was robbed of the Oscar. "Virginia Woolf" should have won best Picture and Director as well. Elizabeth Taylor said that the Academy was "Jealous" that she and Burton gave outstanding performances. They couldn't deny Taylor the Oscar, so they took it out on Burton. Both of them were still suffering from the "Cleopatra" backlash. I feel.
Kidman still had the "Sympathy" factor from the unceremonious way Tom Cruise dumped her, there was backlash against Cruise in Hollywood.
I also think voters felt Kidman deserved it from "Moulin Rouge" the previous year bc the race betw Halle Berry and Kidman was closer than ppl realized.
And voters appreciated Nicole's range from going from a showgirl to being unrecognizable playing Virginia Woolf.
But yeah, Renee made it a close one.
The two actresses had just finished working together on "Cold Mountain" months earlier
Pfeiffer all the way!!! FBB is one of my all time favorite movies. When I moved to Seattle, I found all the filming locations. She was SO good! Tandy won only because it was sentimental.
@13blackcatzzz I didn't think I'd like FBB until I saw it, and my eyes were opened as to just how talented Pfeiffer was.
@oscarman42 The Making Whoopie scene is consistently ranked as one of the sexiest movies moments of all time. And we'll deserved!
I think another close race was Best Actor in 1939. The public had insisted that no one but Clark Gable could have played Rhett Butler in GWTW, and I believe they were correct. His performance was brilliant. GWTW is one of my all-time favorite movies, and I always said I would have to see Goodbye, Mr. Chips before I could believe anyone could have won the award over Gable. Many years ago, I had the opportunity to see the film, and was blown away by the amazing performance by Robert Donat as the shy, gentle Mr. Chippings. He was absolutely captivating in the role, and won me over completely. As much as I love GWTW and Clark Gable's performance, I believe Robert Donat deserved the Oscar that year.
@jeannettestogner5164 That's been a pretty common experience for many on this channel. They couldn't fathom Donat's win until they saw his performance. Afterwards, their votes changed! Thanks for sharing your memory.
I feel the race between Austin and Brendan had more to do with social media. Brendan Fraser has so much love with social media that I feel they had influence in the win.
From what I remember it was supposed to be Brendan vs Colin because both were in the business longer and mostly everyone writing off Austin. Fraser wasn’t gonna win the GG due to past conflicts so Austin won and rightly so. Few days after that Brendan was CC. Butler was the surprise winner of the BAFTA upsetting Colin who was favored to win since Banshees was doing well at the BAFTAs. Fraser won SAG and so it depends on which film would win for makeup. But like I said social media had a lot to do with Brendan winning because had Austin won, it would’ve been a meltdown
I remember social media being all over Butler. You couldn't get past a post without seeing him or the film mentioned, which likely pushed Elvis to soar at the box office due to word of mouth.
I enjoyed both What Ever Happened to Baby Jane & The Miracle Worker. However, Anne Bancroft was a tour de force and deserved that Oscar.
I agree on both counts!
Yay!! You chose Bette! I agree!
It was a smashing film debut!
Another interesting year is 1969 where I assume Maggie Smith, Jane Fonda, and Genevieve Bujold were the top vote getters (over Jean Simmons and Liza Minnelli). The top 3 were all excellent and Maggie Smith won ... but I would have voted for Jane Fonda for THEY SHOOT HORSES, a movie I love.
Fonda was considered the frontrunner, and Minnelli had support too (Garland has recently died). Bujold won the Golden Globe, so there was some thinking she would win. Smith's win was a big surprise, as the film came out early in the year and many assumed it would be forgotten by voting time.
@@oscarman42The Z channel to the rescue, lol!
@@sweetbutterbaby OMG - a blast from the past! Didn't they begin showing films for Oscar consideration in the 70s?
@@oscarman42 Yep!
@@oscarman42Smith's win a surprise??? But she won the BAFTA
I will never get over the 2022 best actor race, and I actually did like Brendan Fraser’s performance. But Austin Butler was just something else. Just such a perfect performance imo. That is probably my favourite performance of all time, and when the whale won best makeup I just knew what was happening and I was flat the rest of the day lol
@jaidynr87 Exactly what I thought (when the Makeup award was announced). I texted a friend who desperately wanted Butler to win and simply wrote "Uh oh."
I completely agree about Bette Midler vs Sally Field. Midler, like Diana Ross several years earlier, deserved an Oscar for her debut and yes, an honorary Oscar for Bette is due.
You're speaking my language when you mention Ross! Both of these first-time actresses were outstanding and deserved to win.
@@oscarman42I agree!
The voters liked Sally Field and didn't like Bette. Also, Sally was the flying nun and Gidget so the buzz was all about how different this role was. I didnt think Eddie Redmaynes win was close...sort of recall everyone predicting he'd win
I wouldn't exactly say that the voters "didn't like" Midler. Field just got more votes. The same could be said for the other winners as well.
@oscarman42 Bette has a reputation but she might have won any other year
Sean Penn × Mickey Rourke. I wold voted for Penn and what about you?
@criticasdehenrique4457 Me too!
Liza MInnelli played Liza Minnelli in "Cabaret" and, while that's not a bad thing, it does make one yearn for a replay of the 1969 Best Actress race when she created a wholly original, intensely complicated, funny and exasperating character, Pookie Adams in "The Sterile Cuckoo". I can understand Liza's loss to Maggie Smith in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie"--they went with the Prestige--yet the film is a theatrical schoolgirl drama of no great importance.
I agree. Who would have been your choice for Best Actress of 1972?
Minnelli nailed the role of Pookie, yet I still can't decide between Smith, Fonda, or Minnelli for '69; for all 3, I think it represents their best film work.
@@oscarman42 I like the two categories of Best Actress nominees at the Golden Globes that year far more--and in that case, I would easily go with Tuesday Weld in "Play It As It Lays". No Oscar nom for Tuesday, so I must go with Liv Ullmann. Why not Diana Ross? She wasn't ready, imo. Plus, I enjoyed her much more in "Mahogany" rather than in the dark, drab "Lady".
@@paulsuchy6210 I agree!
It may be hard to remember but Liza didn’t really quite become the Liza we know until after Cabaret. That character informed everything she would do thereafter. At the time of the movie’s release it was seen I think as something daring for her.
Live the pure choices you make and your reasons for them. Love them! But, do not agree 100%. From the beginning:
1) Judy -after HER career=Gold
2) Saw neither - defer to you - but near career ends' best vs 1st timer?
3) I LIKE HER, REALLY LIKE her- sorry Ms M
4) "Batman"
4a) Love Liza, but that LADY sang the best blues
5) Boys do Cry - Super
6)Oscar was correct-sorry Tom
7) Tandy, Tandy, Tandy
8) Julie, your film was alive, like the sound of music
9) Sweet Bird Of Youth - she was the part. 100% and I admit Paul Newman could have influenced my dedication and decision though! -Ann was great - her glasses took away from her character, I think
10) Auntie Mame - to me the biggest upset! Would not have minded, as much, if Ms Taylor won. Oops, there's that Paul Newman again.
Love your posts, Thanks
@nathantaylor1921 First of all, you chose Ross, so we are bonded for life! Love the way you described each decision - so creative. I always enjoy learning how others would have voted. Thank you for taking the time to share your choices with us.
Garland vs Kelly my choice would be Garland of course .My personal second choice would have been Dorothy Dandridge .
Brendan Fraser vs Austin Butler my choice would be Fraser .My second choice would have been Colin Farrell .Hopefully Farrell and Butler get another chance to win .
Sally Field vs Bette Midler -now your asking me to choose between two people that I adore ? I go with Sally Field but I would never hate a Midler win .
I think of Field's role here as similar to Streep in Silkwood and I would give the edge to Field as much as I adore Streep. Field lives in that role she could easily seem like that was her life.
Eddie Redmayne vs Michael Keaton - I have long said Redmayne here but recently watching Birdman again I am actually curious to why Keaton didn't win especially with that scene you showed .Dressing down the critic seems like an actors dream they would have gone for that performance . I am basically happy with either win .I do overall though prefer Keaton as an actor and enjoy watching him in interviews .I hope he gets another chance .I recently rewatched Spotlight and though he could have been nominated there as well.
Liza Minnelli vs Diana Ross- I rewatched Cabaret this week and I think it's the better film easily .The preformances are harder too judge both actresses are required to do a lot and Ross has to reach deep in a lot of those scenes . Maybe one of our wished for ties would have been perfect for this year.
Hilary Swank vs Anette Bening -Swank all day ever day it's one of the most devastating performances .
Daniel Day Lewis vs Tom Cruise - I think I would with Cruise .Day Lewis wins a lot .Both are pretty powerful here.
Jessica Tandy vs Michelle Pfeiffer -Pfeiffer over Tandy . Tandy deserved the Oscar for The Birds
Julie Andrews vs Julie Christie . My personal choice is Andrews but I get the Christie win it never seem like she's acting but is not really like her in real life from what I understand . I think I need to rewatch Darling to have a better formed opinion . I think Christie was on a role at this point plus Andrews role might seem similar in a way to her win for Mary Poppins .I might actually change my mind .
Anne Bancroft vs Bette Davis - My choice Anne Bancroft . For Davis I do think it's her most iconic role or in the top three .In a different year it might have worked out for her.
Lead acting races I think were tight ? The last two years for best actress and it's a split decison for me .
I think Michelle Yeoh vs Blanchette was fairly tight my choice Michelle Yeoh
Emma Stone vs Lily Gladstone I think was even tighter .My choice Lily Gladstone .My second choice would be Sandra Huller .
@kellie-nd1yp There's little I can add to your excellent analysis of each race discussed. Some great insights offered, and I don't disagree! And you're right - the past two Best Actress races were very close, right up to the ceremony. Great mentions!
I didn’t know anything about Austin Butler before he starred in Elvis. To me, the movie was just okay, but Austin’s performance was ah-ma-zing! That young man didn’t just PLAY Elvis, he BECAME Elvis! It was remarkable to me - someone who clearly remembers seeing the real Elvis perform many times. I feel for Brendon Frazier, but I really felt Austin should’ve won.
@carastone3473 Wow, that's amazing you saw Elvis live! I appreciate your input, because you could rightly judge the performance based on seeing the real person, unlike most of us who are basing our opinion on footage of him.
Glad you included Diana Ross, she was amazing in LSTB!
Of course - she was robbed!
Interesting parallel between close Best Actress races in 1950 and 1992 in that the vote was split between co-leads, denying any of them but allowing Judy Holliday and Jodie Foster, respectively, to take home Oscar.
@paul2587 The few times there were two lead nominees, another performance won (except for Shirley MacLaine in Terms - not Turning Point).
@@oscarman42 Yes, but are they as close as the 1950 and 1992 races?
@@paul2587 I'm sure MacLaine handily won (but I also don't think 1992 was all that close, given the sweep of Lambs).
@@oscarman42 I think you’re right, now that you bring up the seemingly unstoppable momentum Lambs had going into the 1992 awards season.
I think Grace lived to regret her decision marrying into royalty many years later.
She really retired at the height of her acclaim and her rise and trajectory into stardom were astoundingly quick
I'd imagine Kelly having the kind of career Audrey Hepburn would have since they both had the same physical and acting appeal treasured by Hollywood.
Grace would have given Audrey a good run for her money
Hepburn's begging was fairy-tale like too,
I wonder if Garland might have won the Oscar and some precursors had the studio not butchered the film.
I grew up on The Flying Nun, so I was as gobsmacked as everyone else by Field in Norma Rae.
I wonder how many in the Academy didn't vote for Davis simply because they didn't want her to have a 3rd win.
Warner Brothers did not exactly provide Garland with a major studio push for several reasons, which didn't help. Field had to fight to be cast in Norma Rae, as the studio wasn't interested in casting her. We'll never know how close Davis came to Bancroft (or even if she came in second for that matter). If only we knew!
I would’ve been ok with a tie between Bette Midler and Sally Field too. Both movies and both actresses were fabulous!
@carastone3473 It's great when that happens, but also frustrating when two exceptional performances compete in the same year!
my choices
Oscars 2023 Best Actor
Austin Butler (Elvis) vs Brendan Fraser (The Whale)
for me Fraser deservingly wins the Oscars... He definitely disappeared and Fraser became the character.. in Butler's case as Elvis still saw him and recognized still Butler.. maybe the editing of the film Elvis that lacks of the eye acting which Fraser give wholely in the film The Whale..
Completely respect your thoughts on these performances, but I see each quite differently.
Well also in 1983 there were Meryl Streep 's Sophie's choice and Jessica Lange' s Frances. 2 great performances I think very close.
@FedericoPieroni-x4o I think Streep was the runaway winner, but you're right in that Lange was definitely next in line.
I really don’t think the race between Davis and Bancroft was as tight as one might think. I think it was Bancroft all the way. She was in a life-affirming Broadway hit that was finally coming to the screen. Ultimately, Baby Jane was a low budget horror movie. Some even considered it a bit grotesque at the time. The Academy notoriously dislikes Horror. Also, Bette loses points with me because of her many fictions about Joan Crawford rigging the Oscars against her, tales she only began telling after Joan died.
Looking at the race now vs. through a 1962 lens may be different. Davis was a screen legend making a comeback after a drought of unpopular films, while Bancroft wasn't well known to film audiences. Reading the columns at that time revealed what many believed was a tight race.
I agree. Bette was just looking for someone to blame for her loss smh.
Davis also wrote that it was unfair for Bancroft to win because she had played the role on the stage and her Jane character was created "from scratch" (completely disregarding what it takes to rework a stage role for film).
Well, you know what they say: where there's smoke there's fire; Crawford's decision to accept the Best Actress Oscar on Bancroft's behalf was an underhanded thing to do to your co-star who was also up for the same award. What else is Davis or anyone else for that matter supposed to think other than it was move that smacks of spite and betrayal?
@@paulsuchy6210 Gotta give it to Davis...she would say (and do) anything to plead her case.
I think these races were all closer than many think
1940 Rogers vs Fontaine
1991 Nolte vs Hopkins
1985 Goldberg vs Page
2016 Washington vs Affleck
2020 Hopkins vs Boseman
1965 Steiger vs Marvin
2020 McDormand vs Mulligan
1980 Moore vs Spacek
2018 Close vs Colman
1940 Anderson vs Darwell
2001 Crowe vs Washington
2011 Davis vs Streep
1939 Donat vs Gable
1998 Harris vs Coburn
1996 Binoche vs Bacall
1947 Russell vs Young
1995 Winslet vs Sorvino
1960 Jones vs Leigh
1956 Kerr vs Bergman
2007 Christie vs Cotillard
1997 Gloria vs Kim
1999 Caine vs Cruise
1952 Graeme vs Hagen
1948 Trevor vs Simmons
1947 Peck vs Colman
1988 Geena vs Sigourney
1988 Foster vs Close
1974 Bergman vs Cortese
1978 Smith vs Cannon vs Stapleton
1992 Tomei vs Davis
1976 Meredith vs Olivier vs Robards
1974 Carny vs Nicholson vs Pacino
2021 McPhee vs Kotsur
2022 Blanchett vs Yeoh
2000 Harden vs Hudson
2007 Swinton vs Blanchett vs Dee
2005 Clooney vs Gyllenhall
2012 Waltz vs Jones
1950 Holliday vs Bette and Gloria
1962 Sharif vs Begley
1994 Landau vs Jackson
1970 Hayes vs Black
1997 Williams vs Reynolds
1977 Robards vs Guinness
1951 Bogart vs Brando
1981 Hepburn vs Streep
1962 Duke vs Lansbury
1943 Rains vs Coburn
2001 McKellen vs Broadbent
2022 Bassett vs Curtis
2023 Stone vs Gladstone
1966 Matthau vs Segal vs Mason
1969 Smith vs Fonda
197 Rainer vs Garbo
2015 Stallone vs Rylance
1946 Russell vs Rains
2001 Halle vs Sissy
1996 Blethyn vs McDormand
2013 Jennifer vs Lupita
1961 Newman vs Schell
2015 Winslet vs Vikander
2008 Rourke vs Penn
1963 Newman vs Poitier
1998 Paltrow vs Blanchett
1968 Robertson vs O'Toole
2010 Leo vs Carter
2002 Day Lewis vs Brody
2017 Janney vs Metcalf
2002 Renee vs Nicole
1973 Pacino vs Lemmon
1977 Richard vs Richard
1996 Cruise vs Rush
Too many to comment on!
@@oscarman42 Sorry,i'm a bit OCD like that,maybe pick a few for another video.
@@leightonbate7516 I appreciate your efforts.
Bette was strong in ‘Baby Jane’ but I doubt she was even second that year. She won no precursor win. Plus, the Academy was not going to embrace that type of role and film with an ATL win back then. I also don’t think that Hepburn’s sole nom necessarily took her out of the race given that Loren actually won the previous year for a sole nom and a foreign film at that.
@sweetbutterbaby Maybe the other 4 were bunched up together vying for second place (not that the pole position matters).
@@oscarman42 Perhaps. I am interested to know who would have won the NYFC award had it not been canceled that year.
@@sweetbutterbaby Me too! That could have really given us a clue.
@@oscarman42 Definitely!
I was wondering if the race between Phillip Seymour Hoffman for Capote and Heath Ledger for Brokeback Mountain was close? Ledger gave one of my favorite performances of all time. I felt he was robbed. Don't Get my wrong I have to utmost respect for Hoffman but I have always felt that Capote was too over the top. I remember Capote from the 70's talk show circuit and Hoffmans portrayal just, for me, didn't capture the man I remembered.
@tar2feather I recall that Hoffman was pretty much expected to win following his sweep of the precursor awards. Brokeback was just too divisive among Academy members, with several (Tony Curtis, Ernest Borgnine) publicly disparaging the film just because of its theme.
Ah interesting, so in a sense Judy Garland was viewed at the time of A Star is Born a little like Joaquin Phoenix in the current awards cycle post Joker 2 and the very bad press about pulling out of the Todd Haynes movie at the last minute - the negative feeling towards them (possibly not entirely deserved in Garland's case but hey she was a woman in the '50s, of course her failings were magnified) has an effect on some Academy voters and damages their chances of winning - not that Phoenix had any chance of even being nominated this time though for the folly of Folie à deux ;) Poor Judy, it's a shame that she didn't win a competitive Oscar, she certainly deserved to win it over uglified Grace Kelly but you're right to say that, though viewed as an upset now, Kelly's victory made perfect sense at the time.
Garland's glory days at MGM were behind her when A Star is Born was released. Plus, her "issues" were well known in the industry, which - at least these days - could have worked in her favor. But judgmental Hollywood appeared to be over her by that point. But other than external matters, there is no real reason why Garland shouldn't have won.
I thought Sally Field was the clear front runner for Norma
She definitely appeared to be, but there was a lot of support for Midler too.
Really was hoping for Bette to snag that win. Both her and Sally were just phenomenal that year.
I would agree that Field was the front runner. I believe she had recently won the Emmy for Sybil. She was definitely one Academy's radar. Her performance in Norma Rae is very much remembered. Midler's performance is a little forgotten with the exception of the song "the Rose" which is an endcredit song and not featured in the movie.
@@TonyLeadholm Both very deserving!
@@tjh12473THE ROSE is not forgotten by any means. I think NORMA RAE was not that memorable.
Garland's performance didn't do much more for me than Kelly's. I think both were upstaged by their co-leads and would have preferred any of the other Best Actress bominees that year. I think that Field and Christie were decisive winners and I wish that Davis would have been grateful for the Oscars she won and happy to share the wealth. She could have followed Andrews' lead there.
Interesting take on Kelly and Garland. Thank you for sharing your candid thoughts on those two performances, something I rarely see here. As for Davis, modesty wasn't her strong suit.
@oscarman42 Judith Crist said that she thought that James Mason stole "A Star is Born" from Judy Garland. I agree.
Having finally seen the country girl it was close and not as much of a robbery as we say
That's my point - so many disparage Kelly's win but I doubt they have actually seen the performance.
Oscars 2015 Best Actor
Eddie Redmayne (The Theory Of Everything) vs Michael Keaton (Birdman)
far landslide deserves Eddie Redmayne the Oscars Best Actor.. again Redmayne disappeared and became as Stephen Hawking.. in Keaton case in Birdman Keaton plays Keaton--he was great in it but still didn't give more depth of the character as different from his real life persona..
I completely agree with you on the Butler vs Fraser. Fraser was very good, but it was almost too melodramatic and overplayed at times. Butler MADE that movie. The movie itself was not that great in my opinion, but his performance was remarkable. He completely and totally enveloped Elvis. He was brilliant and should’ve won hands down!!
@denisegann6072 We're on the same page about both performances!
@ Great minds think alike 😁💕
@@denisegann6072 Always appreciate your contributions, whether we agree or not!
Judy Garland’s problems had to do with the system itself.
It would have been an incredible opportunity to pay her a tribute.
Sorry, but Frasier did an incredible job as the whale.
@silvalu80 The Academy had the opportunity to honor Garland for a career spanning nearly two decades, but instead, opted to punish her for behavior they deemed unacceptable (irrespective of the cause). Plus, maybe some members actually preferred Kelly's performance.
I am, and will always be, flabbergasted that Judy Garland did not receive that Oscar for A Star is Born. Grace Kelly was fine in The Country Girl but could not hold a candle to Judy's performance that year. A travesty in my opinion.
As for Austin or Brendan, my vote would still be for Brendan Fraser. Austin Butler was amazing as Elvis Presley, but Brendan's performance caused me to have the more emotional response.
As for Sally Field or Bette Midler, this is pretty tough. However, I do believe Bette Midler gave the better performance overall. Sally Field's performance was fierce and iconic, but Bette Midler's performance was so visceral and, as you said Michael, so devastating and it really shows. A tie truly would have been justified.
As for Eddie Redmayne or Michael Keaton, I do have to say Michael deserved the Oscar that year. Again, you said it brilliantly, he WAS the film and I believe it couldn't have worked with any other actor...he deserved the Academy Award.
1962 has to be one of the top few most competitive races for Best Lead Actress in film history in my opinion. In all honesty, I would have been happy with a 5-way tie lol. However, my choice would have been Geraldine Page. That may be biased though, since I think she's one of the finest actresses in film history in my eyes lol. Not to mention in really was an incredible performance.
I adore your videos and I just love that your channel lets us talk about this stuff! Thank you again for what you do, sir! 💖
You make a very important point about Fraser's win...in that you (and likely many Academy voters) had an emotional response to his performance. I understand why it resonated with you and others (me, not so much, but that was more about the film than Fraser's work). I appreciate and respect your choices. When starting the channel, it was my goal to provide a forum for other Oscarphiles to express their thoughts on the good, the bad, and...you know. Your support means a lot, and I look forward to your input on future videos.
Some performances I would be happy with, had they won: De Niro instead of Irons (1990) Nicholson instead of Hackman (1992) Fiennes instead of TLJ (1993) Fiennes instead of Rush (1996) Norton instead of Gooding Jr (1996) Damon instead of Nicholson (1997) Winslet instead of Hunt (1997) Harris instead of Coburn (1998) Norton instead of Benigni (1998) Phoenix instead of Del Toro (2000) Crowe, or Wilkinson instead of Washington (2001 - who could have swapped category nominations with Hawke, and won his second career Oscar in the other category) Owen instead of Freeman (2004) Haley, or Wahlberg instead of Aarkin (2006) Rourke instead of Penn (2008) Sidibe instead of Bullock (2009) Eisenberg instead of Firth (2010 - the same point you made about wanting to see an actor (Keaton) stand on the Oscar stage, when his/her film sweeps big categories) Chastain instead of Lawrence (2012) Dicaprio instead of McConaughey (2013) Fassbender instead of Leto (2013) Cooper instead of Malek (2018) and Ruffalo instead of Downey Jr (2023)
What a list!
I agree, Garland shoulda won but Grace had the momentum. I'd like to think Fraser won cause H-wood likes a comeback but then again..., Field/Midler could've gone either way. Sally was at her best and so was Bette. I was not a fan of Birdman nor of Michael's performance so Redmayne winning for the kind of role that Oscar loves, was perfect. Pfeiffer would've gotten my vote as would Christie. I agree with your assessment of Davis' performance but I still would've awarded the Oscar to Davis.
Fraser was making a big comeback, so I agree with your theory.
It would have been great for Judy Garland, Diana Ross and Bette Midler to join Cher and Barbra Streisand as a singer/actress to win an Oscar. I agree with a tie for Bette, Sally Field was just too good.
I agree 100%!
Sissy Spacek vs Mary Tyler Moore. That should have been a tie. Sissy won for the role. MTM was devastating in "Ordinary People," and in a role so different from her persona. Both Bettes were my choices to win, and a tie between Liza and Diana would have been nice.
Mary Tyler Moore should have gone supporting and she would have won. If that movie was release today she would be in the supporting category.
@markcarpenter9235 I thought about 1980, as the race was between those two actresses. If only MTM had been nominated the next year - it would have been a slam dunk. As much as I would overwhelmingly choose Ross for 1972, I would have been more than happy with a tie!
@@oscarman42 Agreed on both counts!
Cate Blanchett in "Elizabeth" over Gwyneth Paltrow in "Shakespeare in Love" in 1990.
I'll be discussing that race in a future video.
I choose Tom Cruise and Annette Bening. Both are great.
Sorry, maybe I’m partial to Paul Giamatti. For Best actor in ‘The Holdovers’ loved him in that movie.
He was very good in the film, but I thought Dominc Sessa gave the most Oscar-worthy performance.
Glenn Close for Dangerous Liaisons should have pipped Jodie Foster in The Accused for the Oscar.
Midler should've won. Fields would've gotten hers later.
Eddie even knew how very very lucky he was to have won in his speech.
@timgriffin3368 I get why Redmayne won (Oscar bait), but Keaton really stretched in Birdman.
💯
Oscars best actress 2002
Sissy Spacek vs Halle berry
Oscars best actor 2003
Daniel day Lewis vs Adrien Brody
@nokhangyeung7830 Spacek and Berry were indeed close, though I though Spacek would get it.
We have a close year this year in both lead actor and actress. I think Adrian Brody and TImothee Chalamet are neck and neck as well as everyone who will be nominated for best actress!
@johnnolan5579 We'll find out soon when the nominations come out!
Timothee should win.
Interesting video. On Bette Midler's short-lived CBS sitcom, she portrayed a version of herself where she was very bitter losing to Sally Field, in a joking way. While The Rose wasn't your typical musical a la Funny Girl, it was, to my knowledge, a powerful musical unbiopic where Bette could show off her dramatic chops.
It's interesting you mention Hedda Hopper. Feud portrays her on being on Joan's side, but her column for best performance by an actress in 1962 went Bette Davis, so creative license there. Though it could have been Anne Bancroft. Bette and Joan birthday the Grand Dame Guignol genre, and while the genre itself still exists, i.e. The Substance, the overtone was way more sexist. I think Anne delivered and revived a formerly crashing film career.
I always thought Annette Bening and Hillary Swank deserved a tie for 1999 in the category. Due to not seeing American Beauty in a while, since I can't watch anything with Kevin Spacey in it due to obvious cringe, I can say that Hilary Swank did give the stronger performance and proved she could deliver beyond the somewhat mediocre roles she was getting in film post- television. It's just a shame that Annette's been nominated time after time, but she seems to know the outcome these days. She is far from a placeholder actor, but she knows Hollywood will pick the younger usually. That's why she wasn't at this past year's Oscars.
Thanks for watching. Midler's sitcom was regrettable. Loved Feud but didn't know Hopper backed Davis. Bening was in attendance last year. ua-cam.com/video/XDYBUnCqsyw/v-deo.html
@oscarman42 OK. Thank you for reminding me. I did see her in the video. :-) She knows she's still considered a placeholder, but she is far from as an actor herself.
@outinsider Interestingly, a few people commented last year that she wasn't there. Not that she had a any chance of winning...
@oscarman42 it's possible she wasn't in her seat when they were presenting the nominees. But, just got back after the winner was announced. It has happened before.
I haven't watched this yet but seeing Bette Midler for THE ROSE gets me so excited!! She was robbed!! I'm watching!!
You won't be disappointed!
Garland over Kelly. No disrespect to Austin Butler but Elvis is fucking overrated. I think Bette was a longshot because it is just her playing a singer. Sorry Redmayne but I would prefer Keaton. I would stick with Bancroft.
I saw more in Midler's performance than just merely a singer. But the film wasn't to everyone's taste.
@@oscarman42I thought it was brilliant!
I wanted Michelle Pfeiffer to win for The Fabulous Baker Boys 100% I was only in 7th grade but was so upset when she didn't win.
I still am!
I would agree with your choices for Hillary Swank, Michelle Pfeiffer, Diana Ross, Julie Christie, Anne Bancroft. The rest, respectfully disagree :)
That's what makes the channel interesting!
Cher and Glenn must have been very close also.
@bpure2560 I've wondered about that.
Thanks for another great thought-provoking video.
After ABC comes calling, please remember your subs/fanboys/fangirls/fans. In time, it will be Netflix, aka Big Brother, will do the calling.
Here's two you mentioned.
1. Cher for Moonstruck and Glenn for Fatal Attention.
2. Sandra for The Blind Side and Meryl for Julia and Julia.
The former pair have aged incredibly well. The latter pair, not so much.
These four icons just go by their fitst names.
@raydunn8262 Thank you for your continued support and contributions - themselves always thought provoking as well. Btw...love Cher, but not that Oscar win. If anyone comes calling, I will answer. But in the interim, I will continue to enjoy learning from all of the wonderful input from this community of film and Oscar fans.
@oscarman42
The interim is not my concern, afterwards is.
Never provide me any personal info. I just got out for wrongly being convicted of stalking. I was just being their #1 fanboy.
@@raydunn8262 Warning duly noted. You can stalk from afar.
Gregory Peck vs Peter O’Toole
Peter Sellers vs Rex Harrison
Sellers was so underrated - such a gifted actor.
Garland turned in a once in a lifetime performance. Kelly struggled with the emotion of the role and was far from convincing. Was she good? Yes, but only good, for her. She didn't have enough talent to pull that off and win an academy award. Garland certainly did. It was political and the industry was not finished making an example out of one of their greatest talents.
From what I've read about what transpired during that era, this was definitely an instance where industry politics played a major role in the outcome.
Austin butler and Colin Farrell were my favorites in the best actor lineup in 2023 I was more happy for Brandon bc of his comeback and journey.
Cate blanchett vs Michelle yeoh was another tight race, in another year cate wouldn’t won but there was a stronger campaign for EEAAO and narrative for michelle, coupled with how great performance is, but the race was tight and stiff between the two. I also think of viola Davis vs Meryl Streep in 2012, as well as recently lily Gladstone vs Emma stone.
@Kevin-rg3yc I agree about 2022....a very tight race, though I voted for Yeoh at SAG and all the Oscar pools, so I'm happy she won (deservedly). Gladstone and Stone also (I voted Stone for SAG but thought Gladstone would definitely win).
Step 1: Take a really beautiful actress and uglify them (Grace Kelly, Anne Bancroft, Charlize Theron).
Step 2: Write an Oscar acceptance speech.
@branagain Definitely an Oscar-winning formula!
Great point. So much misogyny behind the dissatisfaction of a beautiful woman like Grace Kelly winning an Oscar.
Annette in American Beauty, by ten miles.
The Duke win was TOTALLY wrong. Duke had a this large, sympatheic role as Keller, but to deny Angela Lansbury as Harvey's evil mother in The Manchrian Candidate" now remains one of the most infamous losses in Academy history. She was ELECTRIC. And to your point: It's completely absurd to say that it was a must that both co-stars in Miracle Worker HAD to win. Why? May I ask. Other films had double nominees in (Lead and Support) with only one winning. So again, this is just a subjective opinion regarding Bancroft and Duke. My vote would have gone to Davis and Lansbury. Bette was so great, as you have detailed, and she was way overdue as the quintessential great Hollywood female actor. Lansbury's loss propelled her to get the hell out of Hollywood and head for Broadway where she made history with 5 TONY awards plus other nominations. Broadway did what Hollywood was incpable of doing for a great talent like Angela L.
I respect your opinion...which is equally subjective.
I think Denzel Washington just edged out Russel Crowe in 2002.. I think if Crowe hadn’t shoved a producer at the baftas he might have won.. Washington lost another close one to Kevin spacey which he should have won in 2000.. that also helped ..
Crowe deserved it - but the BAFTA incident, plus winning the previous year, likely lost him some votes.
ALL WE IMAGINE AS LIGHT ❤
Never heard of it.