Here are the six nominees: (Winner in Bold)
Claudette Colbert (Private Worlds)
Bette Davis (Dangerous)
Biggest Snub:
Barbara Stanwyck – Annie Oakley
My Overall Thoughts:
From this year and backwards, many of the nominated films are really difficult (if not impossible) to find, so many of these years will have numerous “holes” in my knowledge of the nominees. I realize that it limits my scope, but something are out of EVEN my control.
Of the three films that I’ve seen, one is clearly much more powerful than the other two no questions asked.
My Rankings:
Actress
6. Elisabeth Bergner (Not Yet Seen)
5. Merle Oberon (Not Yet Seen)
4. Claudette Colbert (Not Yet Seen)
3. Katharine Hepburn
2. Miriam Hopkins
1. Bette Davis
Movies
- The Dark Angel (Not Yet Seen)
- Escape Me Never (Not Yet Seen)
- Private Worlds (Not Yet Seen)
3. Becky Sharp – Really boring film that is led by a character who stands out yet still isn’t able to make this story more interesting to watch. Hopkins was rightfully nominated for an Oscar for Best Actress for her work here. The plot is drawn out too much and the choice to have this character constantly interact with a carousel of suitors gets a bit too confusing since it isn’t always easy to tell them all apart. It’s unfortunate that they ruin the potential that this film has by not finding a way to develop the character and story to a much more comprehensive story which would have helped make this more enjoyable instead of having to painstakingly get through it.
2. Alice Adams – Intriguing story that just doesn’t work as well as it probably could have. Hepburn and MacMurray are missing the needed chemistry for their character’s relationship to be deemed realistic. The side stories of Hepburn’s family members and their own problems helps make things a bit more interesting, but things come across as being a bit too predictable in the end.
1. Dangerous – Interesting premise that works quite well due to Davis’ performance. She manages to make us believe her character in the various situations and predicaments that she finds herself in during the course of the story. The overall message about believing in one self in order to shed the feelings of jinx is done well and it’s easy to understand how Davis could win an Oscar as Best Actress for this role. Parts of the story seem a bit far-fetched, but they still find a way to make things seem realistic throughout.
Do I agree with the Oscar winner? – Absolutely! BD is amazing in Dangerous and of the three performances that I’ve seen, she is clearly the best.
Let me know what you think about these films and my rankings!
MovieRob 