Maria Bello
Maria Bello is one of my favorite actresses currently
working today. No matter the genre, she delivers consistently strong
performances, helping curb the awful film trend of women appearing in movies
solely to enhance the performance of their male co-star. Bello stands on her
own, and the Academy needs to take notice. Should’ve
been nominated for: The Cooler
(2003), A History of Violence (2005).
Jacqueline Bisset
There are many legends on this list, but few rival Jacqueline
Bisset. And while last year’s miniseries, Dancing
on the Edge, brought her a fair amount of acclaim (remember her zany Golden
Globes speech?) Bisset surely deserves to be a multiple Oscar nominee. Her
performance in Day for Night is so
shockingly accurate… just, trust me. That’s the type of stuff that happens when
you make a movie. Should’ve been
nominated for: Day for Night
(1973), Under the Volcano (1984).
Hope Davis
Much like Maria Bello, Hope Davis is a contemporary indie
darling who almost exclusively plays strong, memorable characters. I mean, for American Spelndor alone… come on. Should’ve been nominated for: About Schmidt (2002), American Splendor (2003), Proof (2005).
Mia Farrow
This is just straight up fucking baffling. No other way to
describe it. I cannot get my head around this one at all. Should’ve been nominated for: Rosemary’s
Baby (1968), Broadway Danny Rose
(1984), The Purple Rose of Cairo
(1985), Husbands and Wives (1992).
Rita Hayworth
Here’s another legend that the Academy passed by. From musical
goddess to femme fatale to damsel in distress, it’s shocking that no Hayworth
role was deemed worthy of Oscar attention. Should’ve
been nominated for: Tonight and Every
Night (1945), Gilda (1946), The Lady from Shanghai (1947).
Jennifer Jason Leigh
There’s more to Jennifer Jason Leigh than prostitutes and
junkies, even if she does play them so damn well. I’m still holding out for
that One. Great. Role. for Leigh. Hopefully it’ll come through soon enough. Should’ve been nominated for: Last Exit to Brooklyn (1989), Short Cuts (1993), Mrs. Parker and the Vicious Circle (1994), Georgia (1995).
Marilyn Monroe
Marilyn Monroe was the actress that motivated this list.
When I discovered that one of the most famous people who has ever lived had
never been nominated for an Oscar, I had to see what other Oscar-free
performers were out there. I’m not the greatest admirer of Monroe’s work, but I
still can’t believe that she wasn’t at least nominated for something. Should’ve been
nominated for: Bus Stop (1956), Some Like it Hot (1959), The Misfits (1961).
Kim Novak
Many of Alfred Hitchcock’s leading ladies earned an Oscar
nomination (or win) at some point during their careers, but sadly, not Kim
Novak. A damn shame, considering that Novak’s performance in Vertigo is inarguably one of the best
performances from any Hitchcock film. Should’ve
been nominated for: Picnic
(1955), Vertigo (1958).
Isabella
Rossellini
The daughter of cinematic royalty, Isabella Rossellini
should, at the very least, have one Oscar nomination under her belt for
bringing tortured dame, Dorothy Vallens, to light so hauntingly. Should’ve been nominated for: Blue Velvet (1986), The Saddest Music in the World (2003).
Robin Wright
I’m still stunned that Wright didn’t ride the Forrest Gump train all the way to an
Oscar nomination. Granted, I don’t quite love that movie as much as some, but
the Academy gave Oscar nominations to that flick like they were candy. Poor
Jenny. Should’ve been nominated for:
Forrest Gump (1994), The Pledge (2001).
Honorable Mention
The Women of Bergman
 |
| Bibi Andersson in Persona |
Liv Ullman landed an Oscar nomination for her towering work
in Ingmar Bergman’s Face to Face,
but, sadly, she’s the only one of Bergman’s regular ladies to do so. Under
Bergman’s direction, Harriet Andersson, Ingrid Thulin, and Bibi Andersson all
delivered some of the finest screen work I’ve ever seen. It’s damn near
disgraceful they didn’t break through Oscar’s doors.
Well done, Alex. Your list is fucking unbelievable man, to say the least. I’m as shocked as you are that Robin Wright didn't get an Oscar nomination for her tremendous work in "Forrest Gump". It's really disappointing. She's a genius. Every time I watch her on screen, I find myself to be completely mesmerized by her amazing charisma and her immense talent. I also think she should get a nomination this year for her haunting performance in the criminally overlooked "Adore" (a film I know you really love). Hope Davis, man. How could she possibly not get a nomination for "America Splendor"? WTF? Monroe, Rossellini, Novak... All of them acting legends deserving of multiple Oscar nominations. The list is endless again as it happens with men (if not even more) and my personal Top-10 goes like this:
ReplyDelete1) Isabelle Huppert
2) Robin Wright
3) Isabella Rosselini
4) Bibi Andersson
5) Hope Davis
6) Emily Blunt
7) Eva Green
8) Maria Bello
9) Rosario Dawson
10) Rita Hayworth
All of them and many, many more should have won an Oscar from the very early stages of their career, let alone land a nomination. I'd like to focus a little bit on Eva Green, man and I'd really like to hear your thoughts on her because she's easily one of my favorite actresses and unfortunately one of the most overlooked actresses of her generation at the Oscars. I find her to be insanely talented and having watched her entire and relatively short filmography, I have to say that she should earn an Oscar nomination for everything she has done in the big screen thus far (most notably, "Cracks", "The Dreamers" and "Casino Royale" - even her work in "Dark Shadows" is nothing short of astonishing). I truly believe that Eva Green should win the Oscar for Best Actress In A Supporting Role for her scene-stealing, no-holds-barred, extremely complex, one-of-a-kind, almost otherworldly performance in "300: Rise of an Empire". Not only this is the best performance of her career, it's also one of the greatest female performances of the last decade. It'€™s an Oscar-worthy performance in every sense of the way. I know, "300: Rise of an empire" is hardly Oscar material, but Green's performance is worthy of an Oscar win like few performances in years. As Artemisia, the vengeful, psychotic, bloodthirsty female commander of the Persian navy, she is so totally commanding it's almost scary. She outshines every actor she has scenes with, infusing the screen with raw sexuality, deep emotion and over-the-top craziness (an element I believe you've come to understand by now how much I love). This is an acting masterclass without a hint of doubt. I'm so glad she has received so much praise for her masterful portrayal of Artemisia and I hope Oscar voters will be brave enough to acknowledge her terrific turn. Even if I really doubt that. Anyway, congratulations again and again man for another truly amazing list. So glad there are people like you who acknowledge the brilliant work of actors and actresses that have impressed us with their amazing talent for so many years. You rock man. You're just awesome.
Another amazing comment. Thank you so much for your kind words. I’m so happy to have connected with you. I’m seriously digging all of your film thoughts.
DeleteWright is great, and my God, I loved Adore so much. I actually met her a few months ago at the season 2 premiere of House of Cards, and I can tell you with 100% certainty that she is the most attractive woman I’ve ever met. And that’s not just physical. She was kind, confident and all together lovely.
As for your list, Huppert is a superb top pick. However, it’s almost sad that I didn’t even consider her here. Don’t get me wrong, she’s a tremendous actress, but she’s rarely in films the Academy cares about. This all goes back to what we were saying in the other post. Damn shame. (This is also why I didn’t include Bibi Andersson in the main list. She’s one of my all-time favorite actresses. If only the Academy could see it that way.)
Shit man, I never thought I would be interested in seeing 300: Rise of the Empire, but I think I have to now. I’m a big of Eva Green (Cracks, The Dreamers, Casino Royale – all great), but I hadn’t considered checking out Rise of the Empire. Now I definitely will. Can’t wait to see her in White Bird in a Blizzard and Sin City: A Damn to Kill For.
Great man, "300: Rise of an Empire" is worth checking out for Eva Green's tremendous performance alone. I'm also so happy to have connected with you, buddy, I really am. I'm in awe of your talent and I hope someday to meet you in person to congratulate you on your amazing way of thinking and writing, let alone directing - man, the impact "Earrings" had to me is just unbelievable. I totally understand your thoughts behind my picks for Huppert and Andersson - they're both great actresses, anyway. I just can't believe you met Robin Wright, man. I had a crush on her since watching "Forrest Gump". I mean, besides being a consistently great actress, she has always been sexy as hell and definitely seems to be a really attractive woman. And speaking of "sexy as hell", personally, I think that Eva Green is so hot it's hard to do her justice with mere words. I frankly believe that she's one of those women that can't help but look wildly sexy no matter the role. And I just love the fact that she always picks roles that challenge her and demand from her much more from here than being sexy. I was 14 when I saw her in "The Dreamers" and after ten years I'm still in love with her. This woman is so damn sexy, plus such an amazing actress - that's a combination that's really hard to find. From her film debut in "The Dreamers" to "300: Rise of an Empire", she has displayed a range that is nothing short of phenomenal. In "300: Rise of an Empire", though, she shines in a way she never really did before. She gives an exquisite performance, actually the kind of performance that has to be seen to be truly believed. I'm definitely looking forward to watching her in "White Bird in a Blizzard" and "Sin City: A Damn to Kill For", especially in the latter, because I am really mad about the whole "Sin City" mythology and the first film is among my top 20 films of all time. I almost know Frank Miller's seven albums by heart and I know that the character she plays in the second film, Ava Lord, is the deadliest femme fatale ever to have walked in Basin City. It's a terrific role and I think that it's the role she was born to play. It seems like she's going to seduce the planet this year, beginning with her mesmerizing performance in "300: Rise of an Empire". I've noticed that many people have mentioned Scarlett Johansson in their comments to your great post and she's undoubtedly one of the most shocking omissions of the Academy. I thought of her instantly when I was reading your list, but as I said, the list of Oscar-worthy actresses that haven't even scored a nomination is endless. Johansson has been great in a series of films, but her recent performance in "Under the skin" is without a question her absolute best. She was Oscar-worthy also for "Her" and "Don Jon" (what a year for her, right?) and of course "Lost in translation" and "Match point". Maybe the Academy has a little problem with extremely attractive women being also extremely gifted actresses, don't you think?
DeleteOh man, I love Sin City as well. So stylish and cool. And I really think Eva – with her limitless, effortless sexuality – will kill as Ave Lord.
DeleteI do think Johansson partly suffers from that Paul Newman curse as well. Her Lost in Translation snub is particularly egregious, (as is Match Point, a film I absolutely adore), but Under the Skin deserves so many nominations, Best Actress chief among them. I really, really hope that happens, but I obviously have doubts.
Also man, if you're ever in LA or close by, let me know, I'd love to meet up as well. I owe you at a least a few drinks for all your compliments!
DeleteHaha, I'm in man! Be sure that if I ever come to LA or close I'll let you know. You deserve every compliment, buddy.
DeleteThat'd be so cool dude. Anytime!
DeleteThinking of our communication through your terrific "In Character" post for Michael Shannon (and everyone reading by the way should check it out and the rest of your series also - the whole "In Character" series of your posts rocks), I suddenly thought of Ashley Judd for this post with the actresses who never got an Oscar nomination. She has worked with Shannon in "Bug", a film I also really really love and they were both more than Oscar-worthy for their performances in that film. Also, she's a criminally overlooked actress in the whole. I mean, I watched "Heat" again last week and despite having a supporting role there she really killed it. She's a really talented actress that fits quite good in this category I think. The great Sally Hawkins would have made it to the category if it wasn't for this year well deserved nomination for her stellar work in "Blue Jasmine". She should get at least a nomination for her ferocious performance in "Happy-Go-Lucky". Also, is it possible that there are actresses like Maureen O'Hara and Jane Greer who never scored an Oscar nomination? Really? Is it possible that Rosemarie DeWitt has zero Oscar nominations? Has anyone noticed her performance in "Rachel getting married"? Has anyone seen "Your sister's sister"? She's a great actress yet she doesn't get much credit for it. And what about Margo Martindale? What about her work last year in "August: Osage County"? What about her performance in "Million Dollar Baby"? What about her acting masterclass in "Paris, je t'aime"? What about Geraldine Chaplin, for Christ's sake? Charlotte Rambling never being nominated for an Oscar... Alright. That seems like a joke - a really bad one. Do you really believe that Emily Mortimer has none Oscar nominations? Or Mia Wasikowska? Léa Seydoux is Oscar-worthy everytime she appears in a film. And don't get me started for Noomi Rapace.
DeleteOh man, I love Ashley Judd as well. Even when she’s in something as seemingly plain as Double Jeopardy, she completely rocks it. And the emotion she conveys when waving Val Kilmer off in Heat… holy hell. Oh, and Kiss the Girls, I love her in that too.
DeleteHawkins was straight ROBBED for Happy-Go-Lucky. Really happy she won the Golden Globe though. Her speech was perfect.
And straight up, I considered every other actress you mentioned here, because I’m so taken with their work. Martindale is a force, I simply adore her. And DeWitt in Rachel Getting Married... that performance really fucked me up, in the best possible way.
Mia Farrow is super shocking. I think Maria Bello is great too. I'm going to go with the Sofia Coppola babes and mention Kirsten Dunst and Scarlett Johansson. Yes they are young and have a long way to go but they've also been acting for ages and have done some great work, especially the latter.
ReplyDelete"Sofia Coppola babes..." ha, love it. I am surprised Johansson doesn't have one by now. She's been in plenty of Oscar-worthy films. What's your fave Johansson role?
DeleteScarlett Johansson!
ReplyDeleteGreat pick. Favorite role?
DeleteI can't believe none of these ladies haven't been nominated. Fucking bullshit!!
ReplyDeleteI'm w/ Nikhat on Scarlett and Kirsten. Scarlett should've been nominated for: Ghost World, Girl with a Pearl Earring, Her, and of course... LiT. Kirsten for The Virgin Suicides, Marie Antoinette, and Melancholia.
THE BEST IN THE WORLD... Jena Malone should've had some nominations for Into the Wild and Saved!. What the fuck?
Stergios is right about Isabelle Huppert. Come on, she's made a career out of great performances and she still hasn't got an Oscar nod. She's like the French Meryl Streep. BOO!!!!!!!
Love all of your picks. I just wish the Academy actually gave movies like this a chance. Rarely are films featuring Malone, Huppert and Dunst even considered. Stupid shit.
DeleteDunst though, she blew my mind in Melancholia. I didn't know she had that in her.
Isabelle Huppert is a great pick. The Piano Teacher, Amour, and Story of Women at the very least should have gotten some consideration.
ReplyDeleteI'm going to go classic again here with a pick: Myrna Loy. There has rarely been a screen pairing with as much natural chemistry as Loy and William Powell and she's perfect in The Thin Man. She might not have won that year, but she damn well should've been given a chance to.
I love these picks of yours. Loy is a superb choice. And I agree, her work in The Thin Man is phenomenal. Great, great call there.
DeleteThis list...gosh makes me frustrated. Every actress on here is deserving, and I can't pinpoint which snub shocks me the most...although I've always had a soft spot for Forrest Gump, so I can't handle that Robin Wright wasn't even nominated.
ReplyDeleteIt is pretty frustrating, isn't it? I kept finding names and going, "Wait, no way this person HASN'T been nominated."
DeleteLove Wright, she's such a doll.
GREAT work here Alex. What amazes me most about this post is your memory of individual performances, I don't know how you do it.
ReplyDeleteI saw Rosemary’s Baby (1968) recently, and Mia Farrow deserved a nom, or even a win!
Also, Irène Jacob is high on my list for Kieslowski's Red, and Double Life of Veronique :)
Shelley Duvall in The Shining and 3 Women is another of my honorable mentions.
Thanks Chris! I dunno man, a great performance (or shot, or cut, or musical cue) just doesn't leave. Ask me to tell you "Have a nice day!" in French or complete a very basic math equation, and I'll stare at you blankly. Funny how the brain works.
DeleteShocking that Farrow wasn't nominated for Rosemary's Baby. I don't understand that at all. Jacob - yes, great call. I adore here.
So interesting that critics and (some) audiences HATED Duvall in The Shining when it was released. She was even nominated for a Razzie. Insane.
Shocking to see Monroe, Farrow and Wright on this list. I think Wright deserves a recognition in Gump, and then I saw her in The Princess Bride, the woman have worked for soo many years. For Monroe, perhaps she was a bit controversial back then. Great list, as always!
ReplyDeleteThanks Andina! Maybe it's controversy that kept Monroe from a nom, but I kind of doubt it. Monty Clift, James Dean, Brando, Sinatra, Liz Taylor - all pretty controversial. Now, Monroe wasn't nearly as good of an actor as them, but I am surprised that her enormous popularity didn't help her land a nom.
DeleteI love The Princess Bride so much. Such a special film.
Farrow, Bello, and Leigh..ugh! That's blasphemy.
ReplyDeleteEvan Rachel Wood should've been nominated for Thirteen, and she's turned in so many quality performances since then. I hope her time is soon. Like others, I'm surprised Johansson doesn't have one yet either. Especially since the Globes have nominated her four times.
Blasphemy, indeed! Holy shit, I love Thirteen. Like, love that movie. Wood and Reed both, so, so good. But yeah, given Hunter's nom, I do wish Wood could've snuck in there. 2003 was kind of a jacked Oscar year though.
DeleteAs for Johansson... Under the Skin. One can hope.
I'm going to chime in and add to the list of people surprised that Scarlett Johansson has yet to get nominated. Hopefully (and I do mean hopefully) Under the Skin will be remembered by the time awards season rolls around.
ReplyDeleteAnd I totally agree with the list of movies Monroe should have been nominated for.
In a perfect world, Jake Gyllenhaal and Johansson would get Oscar noms for Enemy and Under the Skin. Never happen, but damn, that'd be something.
Delete- Evan Rachel Wood for Running With Scissors
ReplyDeleteShe gave such a great performance. The entire film has nothing but great performances, but I really feel this was a stand out role for her.
- Mia Wasikowska for Jane Eyre
She and the film itself were really snubbed at the Oscars. The movie was only nominated for costume design or something.
Kirsten Dunst for Melancholia
Let's face it, she may have had the nomination. Lars von Trier's no filter attitude and The Academy's need to cater to the masses took all of that away... I'll stop before I say what I really want to say about this stupid situation...
---
While on the subject of snubs, I'd like to point out how fucked up it was that Lana Del Rey wasn't nominated for her original song for The Great Gatsby. Critically acclaimed and successful as hell, yet it gets left out.
Great pick all around. Mia Wasikowska is one of my favorite young actresses right now. Ever since seeing her in In Treatment, I've been fascinated by her. What she did in Jane Eyre was remarkable.
DeleteFor shame Oscars, for shame. So many actresses (and actors) who you have not recognized, and will probably be in their later years before you finally realize your mistake. I'm sure Wright and Bello will win for some average role they do in the future (though they will obviously bring more to it, but it will be another Jessica Tandy moment where they actually realize they haven't honored them and so they just give them an award, whether deserving or not). But many of the women mentioned on here, just shameful not to have at least been nominated. Why do we put so much stock in this award again?
ReplyDeleteThat's a great, great question. One that gets harder and harder to answer. It would be great if Wright and/or Bello are eventually nominated for one. They so deserve it.
DeleteRobin Wright!! <3 And Maria Bello! Such good actresses... Can't believe it!
ReplyDeleteCrazy, right?
DeleteMia Farrow surprised me the most. And seeing Jennifer Jason Leigh reminded me that I've always been impressed by her.
ReplyDeleteI see a lot of comments mentioning Scarlet Johannson. I think she's got too much still ahead of her to put her on a list like this just yet. Having said that I do agree that her performance in Girl with a Pearl Earring deserved a nom. She got dual nominations from the Golden Globes that year for Earring and Lost in Translation, but the Oscars passed her by for both.
I'm with you on Johannson, exactly why I didn't include her. I do enjoy a lot of her work, but she has a lot left yet.
DeleteI've always admired JJL's work as well. She's so good and hidden. Genuinely disappears into the material.
Most of Bergman's women deserve Oscar's for their stellar work.
ReplyDeleteAmen! So true.
DeleteWright's performance in Forest Gump was the best thing about this movie. I still remember that scene where she is standing on the ledge of balcony during a party. That was amazing.
ReplyDeleteOh hell yeah. "Free Bird" blaring in the background. Such an emotional scene.
DeleteCan't believe Farrow has never been nominated! As Woody Allen's films usually get nominations for the actors I thought she had at least been nominated once. Really great actresses in here, and some of my favorite. I love Robin Wright, though I didn't like Forrest Gump much either, but she was great there. Recently, I think she should have been nominated to Best Supporting Actress for The Conspirator.
ReplyDeleteAndersson was incredible in Persona, she deserved that nomination as much as Ullmann, the film wouldn't be the same without her. I also liked a lot Rossellini in Blue Velvet and Novak in Vertigo.
I share the outrage on previous comments about Isabelle Huppert. And also Johansson and Dunst, are still young but they've done roles that truly deserved recognition. But taking into account that those were in indie films, it was quite unlikely. Thanks Cannes Film Festival for existing so Dunst, and other great actors and actresses, could won there.
I have to add one actress that is young too, but have already done impressive roles: Abbie Cornish. Her work on Bright Star, specially the ending, was heartbreaking. And in Candy and Somersault, really tough roles, she was excellent.
Nothing to do with this, but I did this for an Spanish website and I wanted to share it with you because of our love for Shame. You have to scroll down a little to see the Shame images. I don't know if you've seen Ozon's Jeune et Jolie, but besides all the other visual mirrors I reflected on the post I saw loads of parallels with Shame. Even the characters expressions are similar. Ozon worked with Fassbender some years ago so I wouldn't be surprised at him being inspired by his performance. Here is the post: http://visual404.com/2014/05/frame-ft-frame/desmontando-a-isabelle/
I loved Wright in The Conspirator. You know, that film really deserved more praise. I liked it far more than Lincoln, in fact, but oh well. Obviously, I love hearing your praise for Andersson and the other Bergman women – all so, so good.
DeleteAbbie Cornish is a great choice. What she did in Candy really floored me. What a painful but great little film.
Loved that post you created. I’ve been wanting to catch Young & Beautiful for a while now, and your post has definitely given me the proper push. Hey, anything that relates to Shame, and I’m there.
Great work, what a unique information..........
ReplyDeleteThanks so much! Really appreciate the comment.
DeleteRobin Wright is an excellent choice!
ReplyDeleteI'd add Scarlett Johansson and Eva Green :)
Nice picks. Love 'em both.
DeleteThe women of Bergman! A thousand times, yes!
ReplyDeleteSome other notable actresses I can think of: Sienna Miller (Interview), Kirsten Dunst (Melancholia), Charlotte Gainsbourg (Antichrist), Isabelle Huppert (The Piano Teacher), Kate Beckinsale (Nothing But the Truth), Gong Li (Farewell My Concubine), Ziyi Zhang (Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon), Veronica Lake (Sullivan's Travels), Maureen O'Hara (The Quiet Man), Myrna Loy (The Thin Man), Jean Harlow (Bombshell), and Brigitte Bardot (And God Created Woman).
Great picks man. I loved Sienna Miller in Interview. In fact, I loved that whole film to death. Really deserved a bigger audience and more praise. That is the crowning achievement of her consistently underrated acting.
DeleteThanks pal. Oh, I dig that film as well, and Miller is just brilliant in it. So glad the Independent Spirits went to bat for her that year.
DeleteThank God for the Indies. I often prefer their noms to the Oscars. Now, if they'd just let some of these great little performances actually win.
DeleteI'm late to the list but had to comment since this is a subject that really gets under my skin when I think about the women who have been slighted vs. some of those who have not only been nominated but who have actually won.
ReplyDeleteI agree with everybody on your list, even Jennifer Jason Leigh who I'm personally not a fan of but has done good work at times.
My list skews more towards the classic actresses who never received their due.
1) Linda Darnell-Her extreme beauty and her home studio's insistence on casting her in mostly decorative roles held her back from fully displaying the talent that was so evident when she was presented with the rare opportunity to show it. Should have been nominated for: Summer Storm, A Letter to Three Wives, No Way Out and This is My Love.
2) Ida Lupino-A wonderfully intense performer who branched out into directing, the only woman in the 50's who was registered with the director's guild, it's incredible that she was never recognized for either. Should have been nominated for: High Sierra, Ladies in Retirement, The Hard Way, The Man I Love and Junior Bonner. As director-The Hitch-Hiker.
3) Myrna Loy-As with Ida Lupino the problem with continuous excellence is that you're taken for granted. Loy is probably the best example of this, rare is the film where she isn't stellar and then it's usually the fault of the script or miscasting. Should have been nominated for: The Thin Man, The Rains Came, The Best Years of Our Lives and Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House.
4) Veronica Lake-Her peak was so brief it's surprising that she is so iconic and that she managed to give any performances of note considering the amount of junk Paramount crammed her into. Should have been nominated for: Sullivan's Travels, This Gun for Hire and I Married a Witch.
5) Jean Harlow-A couple things got in the way of her being recognized for her work. First when she started she was just terrible in the dramas she was cast in but once her gift for comedy was discovered it seemed she was a totally different performer. Second comedy has always been less respected than drama, that and her brassy image kept her outside looking in. She and the studio were toning down her image and she was still at the top when she died at 26 so perhaps if she hadn't died so young she might have been nominated in the future. Should have been nominated for: Red Headed Woman, Red Dust and Libeled Lady.
6) Joan Bennett-Once she ditched the blonde coquette look of her early career and switched to the tough noir persona that she wore so well she really found her niche. The fact that the academy ignored her best work is a sign of their less than high regard for most film noir. Should have been nominated for: Man Hunt, Scarlet Street, The Macomber Affair and The Reckless Moment.
7) Tallulah Bankhead-Too big for the screen she never had a productive screen career but she had one role thanks to Hitchcock that surely deserved a nod. Should have been nominated for: Lifeboat.
8) Margaret Hamilton-One of the great supporting actresses her list of worthy work is long but she rarely had a spotlight role except for her most famous. Should have been nominated for-The Wizard of Oz.
9) Kay Francis-Typed as a clothes horse early in her career in a bunch of profitable but empty junk she was excellent when given the opportunity which was rare. Should have been nominated for: One Way Passage and In Name Only.
10) Jane Russell-Another knockout whose gift for comedy was undervalued. She was impeded by being at a minor studio also. Should have been nominated for her brilliant work in Gentleman Prefer Blondes.
Wow, GREAT pulls here. Really. This is a sublime list with excellent reasoning. I'm stunned that these women never received a nomination. I mean... Harlow, Lake, Russell... come on.
DeleteThanks so much for stopping by and commenting.
A few more:
ReplyDelete11) Ann Sheridan-Yet another actress whose competence worked against her, when you're always good it's hard to blow people away. Should have been nominated for: The Man Who Came to Dinner, Kings Row, I Was a Male War Bride and Come Next Spring.
12) Alexis Smith-Lovely, lissome and a charming leading lady who improved with age. Unfortunately when she was ready for really good parts she had moved into supporting and retreated to the stage. Should have been nominated for: The Sleeping Tiger and The Little Girl Who Lives Down the Lane.
13) Bonnie Bedelia-A journeyman actress who never quite made the top so was never offered a succession of showy roles that would actually displayed her talent properly. When she gets a chance though she is extraordinary. Should have been nominated for: Heart Like a Wheel, Violets are Blue and Die Hard.
14) Charlotte Rampling-That this fine actress has never been recognized over her long career is mind boggling. Should have been nominated for: Georgy Girl, The Verdict, Under the Sand and Swimming Pool.
15) Stella Stevens-A very gifted actress who came along at the wrong time, the end of the studio system, to fully benefit from the type of roles she was best suited for. Still when given a chance, a rare occurrence, she is good indeed. Should have been nominated for: The Nutty Professor and The Ballad of Cable Hogue.
Finally:
16) Rosamund Pike-Unlike the other ladies on my list, excepting Charlotte Rampling maybe, she still has a good chance to be recognized, perhaps even this year for Gone, Girl it's going to have to happen soon for her though or she'll have to wait another 20 years and then get something in supporting if ever. She's already given a few performances worth acknowledgement and should have been nominated for: Pride & Prejudice and An Education.
Some more great ones. Rampling is my favorite you listed here. I'm stunned that she hasn't yet been able to land a nomination. What she did in Swimming Pool really blew me away. She has been delivering great performances for decades. A nomination would surely be justified.
Delete