Here are the five nominees: (Winner in Bold)
Biggest Snub:
June Lockheart – Time Limit
My Overall Thoughts:
This is a year with 4 very strong performances and one that is essential to its film yet isn’t necessarily a worthy of being an Oscar nominee.
My Rankings:
Supporting Actress
5. Carolyn Jones
4. Diane Varsi
3. Hope Lange
2. Miyoshi Umeki
1. Elsa Lanchester
Movies
4. Sayonara – Very interesting story that helps shed light on unjust Armed Forces regulations during the Korean War. Great cast especially Buttons and Umeki who both won Oscars for their roles. Despite all this, I can’t say that this movie aged so well.
3. The Bachelor Party – Not at all what I expected from a film from the 50’s. They find a way to discuss some very explicit conversation by use of lots of metaphors and innuendo largely due to the interference of the censors. The characters are developed really well and despite each of them representing a different personality in society the don’t feel like mere caricatures. Murray is great in the lead and we can feel the dilemmas he must deal with over the course of the film. Jones has a very small role which definitely stands out due to the diatribe she delivers but I’m still not convinced that she deserved an Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actress for her performance in this film.
2. Peyton Place – Great character study of how small town life is similar to big town life yet harder to keep secrets when everyone knows each other. The characters are all developed extremely well and we easily can relate to all of them and to their predicaments. Tame by today’s standards yet extremely scandalous when it was made.
1. Witness for the Prosecution – Laughton is amazing here as the barrister. Expertly written by Christie because they keep hitting us with more and more surprises as things keep moving. One of the best courtroom dramas ever filmed because it is done so well. Definitely deserved the Best Picture Nomination but it was such a strong year that even an amazing film like this didn’t have much of a chance.
Do I agree with the Oscar winner? – Yes and No! MU was great in her groundbreaking role, but EL was slightly better in hers.
Let me know what you think about these films and my rankings!
MovieRob 
The Peyton Place actresses probably canceled one another out. Umeki was very good – important movie/subject and she was doing her performance in English. Lancaster very good as well – but while discussing snubs -where’s a nomination for Marlene Dietrich from the same film?
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