tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post2160191083008419926..comments2024-01-24T15:33:58.720-05:00Comments on A<br> Mythical<br> Monkey<br> writes<br> about<br> the<br> movies: The Katie-Bar-The-Door Awards Redux (1930-1931)Mythical Monkeyhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comBlogger9125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-83725988484476871872012-01-10T13:16:20.174-05:002012-01-10T13:16:20.174-05:00I used to do that. But since so much of my stuff ...I used to do that. But since so much of my stuff is deliberately designed to counter what the Oscars did award, I felt I had to compare apples to apples. Especially in a period of say, 72-73, where Cries and Whispers came out in 72, but actually was Oscar nominated in 73.<br /><br />Either way, in 57-58, I had to decide whether Seventh Seal knocked out Bridge on the River Kwai or Touch of Evil for Best Picture.<br /><br />Where it backfires on me is that I do all of my lists based on eligibility, so I often have people commenting on certain years asking where certain films are that show up later.<br /><br />In terms of Nosferatu, I was just glad to have such a great film available to win Best Picture - 1928-29 is such a wasteland, complete with by far the worst slate of Oscar nominees ever. If only someone could find The Patriot.Erik Beckhttp://nighthawknews.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-5582663234160151502012-01-10T10:06:20.189-05:002012-01-10T10:06:20.189-05:00Again, with the damn Oscar years. M is supposedly ...<i>Again, with the damn Oscar years. M is supposedly eligible in 1932-33, where it almost sweeps my awards. But here, it's all about City Lights.</i><br /><br />Yeah, in terms of Oscar eligibility -- playing a week in a Los Angeles theater -- <i>M</i> was a 1933 picture.<br /><br />In the old days, pre-blog, I kept a list of alternate Oscars much like yours -- inspired by Danny Peary's <i>Alternate Oscars</i> which I bought back in 1992, I think it was. The list was very strict about Oscar eligibility, no categories that didn't exist, tried to pick "best dance direction," etc.<br /><br /><i>M</i> cleaned up in 1932-33.<br /><br />When it came time to blog though, I gave up on Oscar eligibility and went instead with the film's release date. Mostly because it made it easier to deal with Ozu whose films didn't land in America until a decade after his death. But also because, as you point out in another comment, a bunch of foreign silent films such as <i>Nosferatu</i> were eligible in 1928-29. Ironically, I had little interest in silent movies when I started writing -- now I rarely write about anything else.<br /><br />It's an addiction.Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-2760507958636969202012-01-10T10:00:12.658-05:002012-01-10T10:00:12.658-05:00I think Cagney deserved to be nominated or awarded...<i>I think Cagney deserved to be nominated or awarded more than THE PUBLIC ENEMY actually deserved to be nominated or awarded...there were some pretty stiff biscuits in that movie. ;)</i><br /><br />Can't argue with that. Among the worst performances is Jean Harlow, who was still a year away from figuring out what she was doing. But once she did, boy o boy, look out.<br /><br /><i>And if you could only nominate one of the brothers for ANIMAL CRACKERS, which one would you pick?? Maybe Groucho for best actor, and one of the others for support??</i><br /><br />I think that's about right. Harpo was at his best in the first two movies, I think -- or was showcased best in any event. Groucho was always great. Chico I'd say was at his best in <i>Duck Soup</i>.Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-3431074989674760552012-01-10T08:55:01.599-05:002012-01-10T08:55:01.599-05:00And was Makin Whoopee written for Whoopee?
That&#...<i>And was Makin Whoopee written for Whoopee?</i><br /><br />That's a good question, actually. <i>Inside Oscar</i> doesn't start mentioning song eligibility until the Academy actually started handing best song Oscars.<br /><br />To be safe, I should probably call that award "Best Use of a Song in a Movie."Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-83403935223900993222012-01-10T08:53:28.446-05:002012-01-10T08:53:28.446-05:00Ginger Ingenue, you're back! We missed you! ...Ginger Ingenue, you're back! We missed you! In fact, I mentioned you in a post last summer<a href="http://mythicalmonkey.blogspot.com/2011/09/housekeeping-blog-posts-ive-started-and.html" rel="nofollow"> here</a>, hoping you were okay and wishing you well.<br /><br />The dog is agitating for her morning walk, but when we get back I'll respond to you other comments. In the meantime, glad you're "back from the asylum."Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-31622257098164665262012-01-10T08:26:54.621-05:002012-01-10T08:26:54.621-05:00Again, with the damn Oscar years. M is supposedly...Again, with the damn Oscar years. M is supposedly eligible in 1932-33, where it almost sweeps my awards. But here, it's all about City Lights.<br /><br />But you really think of Menjou as supporting? After all, he was nominated for Best Actor, even if the supporting categories didn't exist then. I also go with Lorre as a lead.<br /><br />And was Makin Whoopee written for Whoopee? I've always had such a hard time figuring out what songs were actually written for the early sound films.Erik Beckhttp://nighthawknews.wordpress.com/noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-34451252573282314362012-01-10T06:19:18.433-05:002012-01-10T06:19:18.433-05:00I think Cagney deserved to be nominated or awarded...I think Cagney deserved to be nominated or awarded more than THE PUBLIC ENEMY actually deserved to be nominated or awarded...there were some pretty stiff biscuits in that movie. ;)<br /><br />And if you could only nominate one of the brothers for ANIMAL CRACKERS, which one would you pick?? Maybe Groucho for best actor, and one of the others for support??<br /><br />Also: Hi! How are you? I'm back from the asylum. ;)<br /><br />I've only read one post, and already I can tell, your blog and writing are as good as ever. <br /><br />Hope you're well.Ginger Ingenuehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06904339551806493214noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-68505572426407990162012-01-09T16:41:19.613-05:002012-01-09T16:41:19.613-05:00Yeah, Peter Lorre's performance in M is one of...Yeah, Peter Lorre's performance in <i>M</i> is one of the greatest performances by anybody, anywhere, at any time.Mythical Monkeyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11330587602682498820noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6924668268143757716.post-90780693833342619062012-01-09T14:41:07.001-05:002012-01-09T14:41:07.001-05:00Again, spot-on. I didn't realize what a ground...Again, spot-on. I didn't realize what a groundbreaking period 1930-1931 was: James Cagney, <i>Public Enemy</i>, Fritz Lang, Peter Lorre, <i>M</i>...dang. Like you said, both Cagney and Lorre brought new energy to their roles than previous film actors, both distinctively unique to their regions and personalities.Laurahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/15532386898201721692noreply@blogger.com