1937
So the much anticipated ranking is:
This is a decent performance and I can really understand those who love it but I also understand the arguments against it. Still, Luise Rainer gives a very loveable and truly great performance as O-Lan which may not be for the ages but it is certainly very memorable and its emotional nature is truly impressive. Well done work with some incredible moments by a great actress.
I can say that Janet Gaynor is very good as Esther Blodgett/Vicki Lester but I can't say that she really is great. She's very charming, she's very loveable but the limits of her role prevented her from being truly outstanding in this part. As I said, she's really enjoyable but I couldn't help wanting a little bit more. It's lacking work but a good one, at least.
This might be the weakest one of Barbara's nominated performances but I still enjoyed her work as Stella Dallas. Although the character is quite unlikely and even a little bit confusing, Barbara makes her so entertaining in a very weird way. I can't explain why I liked her this much but I was really blown away by some of the scenes.
I have to say that Garbo really succeeded in creating a very complex and likeable character and a great performance despite the fact that she obviously has her flaws. Still, Garbo's luminous presence and wonderful personality might make up for the weaker sequences. Overall, it's a great performance that I really liked, I am still feeling a bit strange about her.
When I almost gave up on 1937, along came Irene Dunne to charm me with this incredible performance as Lucy Warriner. Not only does she give, what I consider one of the funniest performances ever, but she also breaks your heart a little bit as you really start to care about Lucy and her life. It's really incredible work and it's 100% right what Cary Grant said about Irene.
So I can proudly announce
that my winner is...
Irene Dunne
in
The Awful Truth
Ready for your speech?
Final thoughts: A good year but not a great one. Irene was an easy winner and the ranking of the nominees was incredibly easy. Only Irene was truly fantastic but Barbara was really-really close to that. Garbo might have even inspired Maria Callas with this role but she left me a little bit colder. Luise was very nice but not enough and the same goes for Janet Gaynor. Overall, I liked this year but it wasn't outstanding in any way. Plus, I had to say goodbye to Barbara Stanwyck as I've written about all of her nominated performances and that makes me really sad. :(
About the next year: Wow, I looked for a special year to celebrate the first anniversary of the reviews and I found it. But before that, I'm doing a less special but interesting year. It's gonna be incredibly obvious after the clue :):
- I want to win! :@ GAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHH...
- I feel like a ..t on a .o. ..n ..o.!
What do you think?
I can't disagree with your number 1 Dunne is terrific, I am completely unable to come up with anything from your clues though, perhaps I am not thinking clearly.
ReplyDeleteI want to win could be applied to alot of winners...at least this -certain- winner didn't need a pound of makeup or a fake nose.
ReplyDeleteI thought the clues were easy, especially the second one. I want to win refers to a title! (that's way too much help).
ReplyDeleteSage, you may have found out.
Ah, I almost guessed the ranking!
ReplyDeleteMy guess for next year would be 1958 because "I want to win" could mean Susan Hayward but I don't know what the second clue means...
Exactly Fritz! It's 1958.
ReplyDeleteThe second clue: I feel like a cat on a hot tin roof! :D
Oh, I'm really looking forward to this! Did you see "Some Came Running" online? It's the only movie I haven't seen yet from this year (there is only a German-dubbed version on youtube and I don't want to judge performances that way).
ReplyDeleteIt was on TV here on MGM, I recorded it. But I can try to upload it on Youtube. I'll have time in summer. I'll also try to upload The Subject Was Roses and Cinderella Liberty as I have both and they are really f-ing hard to find.
ReplyDeleteoh my God, that would be AMAZING if you could do this!!!
ReplyDeleteInteresting thoughts! I'm sorry I never commented with this year!
ReplyDeleteExcited about 1958!