Best Actor 1951: Results

5. Fredric March in Death of a Salesman- March portrays Wily Loman as completely insane, this one performance I really do not what to make of, but I certainly can say that it is not good.

4. Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen- Bogart's performance is largely functional for me. He sometimes goes above functionality and sometimes goes below it.

3. Arthur Kennedy in Bright Victory- Kennedy gives a very good performance as a blinded soldier. He is particularly strong when coming to grips with his situation, the performance becomes less interesting as the film goes on, but overall it is a strong performance.

2. Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire- Marlon Brando's performance is most certianly a great performance doing wonders with in some ways a simple character. Brando gives virile, as well as brutal performance, that somehow always is a pleasure to watch.

1. Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun- This is one big upset I suppose, even an upset to myself I think. Both Clift and Brando are in top form, and each give unforgettable performances. Clift's performance has the even greater emotional pull for me, and it is the performance I believe I will remember most from this year. This is not a slight at all to Brando, their performances are both brilliant, I just loved Clift's performance even more.

Deserving Performances:
Alastair Sim in Scrooge
Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train

Best Actor 1951: Arthur Kennedy in Bright Victory

Arthur Kennedy received his second Oscar nomination for portraying Larry Nevins in Bright Victory.

Bright Victory is a somewhat interesting film about a soldier trying to cope with his recent blindness from a gun shot wound. I liked much of the film, particularly in the military hospital, but after that it really lost a lot of its steam, and its racism subplot, unfortuantely felt tacked on.

Arthur Kennedy received his only lead actor nomination, mostly being a character actor throughout the rest of his career which earned four unsuccessful supporting acting nominations. Arthur Kennedy never became a leading man, but here he does certianly show an ability to carry a picture by himself.

Kennedy portrays Larry Nevins at the beginning of the film as a slightly cocky soldier who quickly gets a huge dose of reality from a bullet wound which blinds him. It is in these initial scenes where Kennedy really stands out well in the part. Kennedy creates a good amount of empathy for his character without ever visibly wanting it, but rather just earning it by showing Larry to be an average guy in his situation.

Kennedy is incredibly good in his scenes where he is first coming to terms with his blindness, and struggles to accept what has happened to him, as well as feeling guilty for the wounding another man because of going foolishly into enemy territory. Kennedy is good because he always is authentic in portraying the harsh complicated emotions that Larry faces.His first phone call to his parents is particularly heartbreaking because Kennedy is spot on, not ringing a single false note.

Larry though becomes to get a little more comfortable, and starts to be able to live with his blindness. Kennedy does a great job of bringing us into his struggle, without ever making it seem melodramatic. I particularly liked Kennedy camaraderie he shows that Larry creates with the other blind soldiers at the hospital.  They have the right naturalism together that work extremely well for the film, bringing us into a very special world the men have together.

Kennedy though at the same time has a little bit of a problem here, because one of his friends is a black soldier named Joe. He hurts his friendship with Joe, and everyone else when he utters a racial slur. This comes basically out of nowhere in the film, and Kennedy does very little with it. I suppose one could say look Larry is a decent guy in every other way but unfortuantely also racist, but Kennedy failed to really realize this aspect of Larry well enough, but than again the film gives him about a minute to do so.

After this Larry does start a romance with a local woman Judy, which Arthur Kennedy makes properly sweet as somewhat reluctantly pursues the relationship. It is not a great romance by any means but it is sweetly done. Problems strike though when Larry has to go home, to his old girlfriend Chris. In the return home Larry just shown to be uncomfortable basically, and although Kennedy is fine he also is given very little to do, but be uncomfortable, and annoyed by how some act toward him, and briefly his mothers attitude toward black people (again the racism part is very tacked on feeling).

Larry though at the end of the film does decide to go out on his own, and seems to find happiness in the end, and this very sweetly, done and Kennedy has earned this sweetness through his realistic performance, the happiness at the end does not feel at all corny, it is truly earned at the end.

I must say though that this is a good performance for sure, but one that becomes less interesting as it goes on. Kennedy is best at the very beginning where his character has his life changing experience, he simply becomes less interesting as the film goes on. Also the racism part of the film and the character is never properly realized unfortunately. Kennedy still manages to hold the film together though, and he makes the journey of the blinded soldier one I wanted to see to the end, and one made satisfying through the simple honesty of his performance.

Best Actor 1951

And the Nominees Were:

Montgomery Clift in A Place in the Sun

Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire

Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen

Arthur Kennedy in Bright Victory

Fredric March in Death of a Salesman

Best Supporting Actor 1949: Results

5. John Ireland in All the King's Men- I will admit the character of Jack Burden's is not a great one, but Ireland stilted and uncharismatic performance does not help matters at all.

4. Dean Jagger in Twelve O'clock High- Jagger's character actually should have been the heart of his film, but Jagger is unable to really bring an authentic emotion, or life to his character.

3. Arthur Kennedy in Champion- Kennedy does not get a lot of time to develop his character but he does manage to find himself as a moral conscience and later contrast to Kirk Douglas' character quite well.

2. James Whitmore in Battleground- Whitmore's performance is realistic and always proper as the commanding sergeant of the men in Battleground, but the most impressive part of his performance is his expertly handled physical disintegration throughout the film. 

1. Ralph Richardson in The Heiress- I do not blame anyone for not being interested in this year, since again this is another supporting year with a clear cut winner. Richardson performance is simply superb piece of acting. He is outstanding in creating a memorable, and incredibly effective character. He manages his character quiet and more obvious cruelty exceptionally well. Richardson also manages to make a fully realized and three dimensional character.

Deserving Performances:
Alec Guinness in Kind Hearts and Coronets
Edmond O'Brien in White Heat

Best Supporting Actor 1949: Arthur Kennedy in Champion

Arthur Kennedy received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Connie Kelly in Champion.

Arthur Kennedy portrays Connie, Midge's (Kirk Douglas) handicapped brother. Kennedy frankly is not given that much to do as Connie, he is always portrayed as following around Midge. Kennedy though still does what a supporting performance is described as and that is he supports Douglas as Midge well. He acts a quiet conscious to Midge.

Kennedy is always quietly trying to tell Midge not to do the wrong way, in careful fashion appropriately showing a care for his brother, and trying to help him as much as he can. Connie tries to caution Midge as he falls down his poor path. Connie is not given much time, but Kennedy always properly showing his honesty want for his brother to do the right thing, in a simple but honest fashion.

Connie finally stops being quiet as Midge becomes worse and worse. He finally challenges Midge completely and sadly reactions to the fallen Midge. Kennedy always stays honest, and as effective as he can be with his thankless role. When is given the chance he does well, especially in his final scene where he shows his honest love for his brother one last time. Not all that much, and not entirely memorable but well portrayed.

Best Supporitng Actor 1949

And the Nominees Were:

Arthur Kennedy in Champion

James Whitmore in Battleground

Dean Jagger in Twelve O'clock High

John Ireland in All the King's Men

Ralph Richardson in The Heiress

I was originally not going to this year now, but since I just watched three of the nominees for Best Actor, I might as well do this now.