Here are the five nominees: (Winner in Bold)
Biggest Snub:
Lew Ayres – All Quiet on the Western Front
My Overall Thoughts:
I’ve seen three of the 5 nominees and Arliss was clearly the best of the lot with neither of the other two being much competition.
My Rankings:
Acting Performances
5. Ronald Colman (Not Yet Seen)
4. Lawrence Tibbett (Not Yet Seen)
3. Maurice Chevalier
2. Wallace Beery
1. George Arliss
Movies
5. Bulldog Drummond (Not Yet Seen)
4. The Rogue Song (Not Yet Seen)
3. The Love Parade – Another unbearable Chevalier film. The story itself was too much of a farce. The characters aren’t developed well enough at all and you just want it to end as soon as it starts. Yet another film that baffles me as to how it was chosen to get a Best Picture nomination that year let alone 5 other nominations. Thankfully, they were smart enough not to award this film any of them.
2. The Big House – Interesting look at the way that prison life was perceived back then. The story moves along well and is definitely a precursor for many future prison films.
1. Disraeli –Great biopic that was one of the first of its kind. The main character is developed so well that we easily understand why he does all that he does for Queen and country despite the prejudices against him from many all around him. Arliss is great in this role and truly carries the entire film with his beautiful delivery of such exquisite dialogue. He was a very worthy winner of the first Oscar for playing a real life figure. Goes to show that politics will always be politics no matter what time and place.
Do I agree with the Oscar winner? – Most Definitely! Arliss is great in one of the first real biopics and was quite deserving of his Oscar for this role.
Let me know what you think about these films and my rankings!
MovieRob 