Young Mr. Lincoln

[Linda Anderson]

(01-19-2013 02:04 PM)Martin Fass Wrote:  No names come to mind offhand, but through its history all sorts of qualified people were overlooked for Oscars, and in many cases, awards went to performers and others for what was far below their best work.

I think the short explanation is that from the very first year they existed, the Academy Awards have mostly been determined by POLITICAL considerations (both within the industry and as reflected in the wider world) than by the specific motion pictures of the period.

That's very true. One of the most famous examples is Elizabeth Taylor winning for "Butterfield 8." Even Taylor recognized that she got it because she was reported to be seriously ill just before the voting. She had had a tracheotomy and she got the sympathy vote plus she seems to have been overlooked for past performances.

http://www.angelfire.com/film/robbed/liz1.htm

It's also very hard to compare performances. Mr. Chips, Heathcliff, Rhett Butler and Mr. Smith are all wonderful in their different ways. I don't remember "Babes in Arms" but Mickey Rooney was very famous back then.