Sophia Loren presenting Gregory Peck the Oscar® for Best Actor for his performance in "To Kill a Mockingbird" at the 35th Academy Awards® in 1963. Introduced by Frank Sinatra.
Gregory Peck getting an Oscar for acting in a film is a joke. But he deserved it for every film he acted. Why? In every film he is Gregory Peck, not the character. Very few people had ever achieved that distinction. I loved it
Not only a great man and a great actor but a wonderful role model. Who can forget his performance in the Guns of Navarone! He was perfect in that role.
You nailed it! He has class all the way his voice is so soothing and sometimes when I can't sleep and I've had too much of the harshness of this present day world I put on my To Kill a Mockingbird DVD almost like a lullaby a quiet soothing almost instructional like where it could be helping like a leading one's life and I like the Simplicity Simplicity and the profound debility like a lullaby to help calm the nerves at night and ground me if I need that. To Kill a Mockingbird helps me to recognize the difference between the men and the boys still a decent men out there. I've been lucky in my life to meet them but when I hear stories I just want to remind the people I've some of my favorite actors that aspiring characters and one of them is Gregory Peck in the movie To Kill a Mockingbird
Just watched this film for the first time.. he was truely Atticus Finch... and walking down the aisle to accept the award he still embodied the character.. don't make actors like him anymore. Pure class.
I always thought Gregory Peck's Atticus Finch is one of the most understated roles in film. It seems he plays in the shadows and lets the children tell the story, and that's the way it should be. But it takes a GOOD, SOLID actor to be able to play a role in the shadows and still make that role shine like he did. To me, he IS Atticus Finch!
amen!when I hear that list I always think of a 4 way tie and Peck coming in by a vote or 2 over the others...the NO doubt he was absolutely outstanding in what is my opinion of the perfect movie but geez Lemmon O'Toole Lancaster and Mastroianni (sorry can't spell his name!)were just in a word....wow!
O'Toole's debut was phenomenal -- Lemmon's intensity was amazing -- and who can knock Marcello's comic vibe and Lancaster's steadiness? But this was more than a performance. Peck's Atticus Finch was a standard of decency for all time. He was the real thing. Got me to go to law school.
Uhm, Lawrence of Arabia is not O'Toole's debut, he had 3 movies in 1960. His performance in The Day They Robbed the Bank of England led him to be cast as Lawrence.
Got me to go to law school too, but I left after one year. Too much corporate and contract law. I knew I could never be an Atticus Finch..........he was one of a kind.
O’Toole became my favorite actor of all time. And Marcello Mastroianni had the same birthday as me! At the time though, I was happy Peck won. But having seen all the other movies since then, I really do think he won by a squeak. Lancaster and Lemmon were also great. Oh and I did get to interview Jack many years later in the set of Airport ‘77. A genuinely nice guy.
Just a great actor & a real gentleman. It's interesting to see the old Oscar ceremonies - they were shorter, less of a spectacle, more respectful & the winners didn't take themselves so seriously - most acceptance speeches were less than a minute long. Today's Hollywood could & should take a leaf from that book!
His remarks were not racist, in fact they were self-deprecating because he himself was Italian and very proud of his Italian heritage. Perhaps you have given us an example of why it really was better back then .... because today people (like you) are too quick to take offence for no reason.
Helenaville- I completely agree with your comment. People today take offense to things for no reason and it’s absolutely ridiculous. Has anyone ever thought of the damage you could be doing by just saying “that’s racist” when it’s not racist? What people don’t understand is that when people say that for things that aren’t racist, but just rude or mean remarks, it brings everyone’s guard up. People slowly start believing that things that aren’t racist are in fact racist. (Note: this isn’t all about racist comments it applies to all derogatory statements) Our society claims to be all about accepting people who are different, but how can we believe that when they keep pointing out negative things people may or may not have said. People need to start being positive. Only then will people truly feel accepted as they are. Agree with me or don’t, that’s your choice
No matter what other people say, for me Pecks perfomance in "mockingbird" is one of the best performances i have ever seen. Deserved Oscar. I love the movie and his wonderful performance.
The actress Mary Badham, who played Scout, said that Gregory was pretty much Atticus in real life. She said he was like a father to her during filming and for the rest of her life. Gregory at one time pondered the Roman Catholic priesthood. I'm going to be selfish here and say I am rather glad he chose an acting career. His voice in this Oscar clip is so strong, crisp and clear. I'm so fortunate to have come along during his lifetime: and that the movie camera was available to record this marvelously talented man...so we can enjoy him in perpetuity, on you tube.
EmpressOfWyoming58 I feel exactly the same. Fantastic man. Just watched, the guns of NAVARONE, the million pound note,to kill a Mocking bird and the boys from Brazil. Class. If you like his voice, you can listen to his desert island discs with Kirsty Young on BBC radio 4. Just type "Gregory Peck, desert island discs BBC radio 4" IT'S a podcast, but an interview he did TALKING about his life and the 8 pieces of music he would choose if he was stranded on a desert island.
I did not know Mr. Peck had considered the priesthood. One of my favorite, but lesser known films of his (I believe it was made for TV) was called "The Scarlet and the Black." He played an Irish priest who helped save Jewish people in Rome during WWII; his nemesis was played by Christopher Plummer. He infused his character with humor, strength, and dignity-quintessential Peck!
There is literally no one else on the planet that could’ve embodied Atticus Finch as perfectly as Gregory Peck did Truly a phenomenal, towering, and awe inspiring performance that has deeply affected countless people over so many generations. Peck deserved every single vote he got
EXACTLY! Just why I love it so much! They cut many scenes (would've been like 4 hours long otherwise) and still achieved to capture the escence of this amazing story!
Singing Diaries yes, I taught TKaM. for over 20 yrs to grade 11 students, then asked them to draw a parallel between the novel and the movie. There were some minor elements missing in the plot but not when it came to making a character analysis of Atticus vs Peck. He absolutely nailed it. I truly believe he played himself .
My mother and I had the great pleasure of meeting Gregory Peck and his wife in the 1980s. He is one of my heroes. He said at that time that playing Atticus Finch was, for him, the proudest moment of his career, and that role is the one for which he wanted most to be remembered. I think he got his wish.
I hope you agree with me Lawrence Arabia well he wants best actor best director in me but more. Peter 0 ,, toole Panama Jack nothing two layer on in the Life Achievement Award he don't got something wow about time
People gave really succinct speeches back in the day. Gregory Peck, Humphrey Bogart, Cary Grant, Clark Gable, Marlon Brando, Sidney Poitier.... all of them.... utter class and manhood.
How refreshing, unlike many recipients of the Oscar today. Plain spoken, honest, gracious and not long winded. So many today prattle on and on, afraid they will 'leave someone out' as they recite a litany of names, attempts to 'act' even while receiving the ward. No matter what film Gregory Peck was in, there was his maturity and quiet self confidence.
Well said. I've seen some performers give acceptance speeches that were embarrassing to watch and listen to. Another example of the right way to accept an award was Louise Fletcher when she won for her role in "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest"; it was a beautiful speech in which she honored her deaf parents who could see but not hear her.
i feel extremely happy when i watch this video, my most favorite actor, a legend, a handsomest person, Gregory Peck.....who was the real perfectionist, will be always be a spiritual icon who will stand for everything which is best!
I was born in 1960. But I do remember the 'feeling' of that time, in Hollywood. I knew at a very young age that it was a special era, with the greatest actors and would never happen again. Haven't changed my mind in all these years. Class is becoming a thing of the past.
Thank you. This is RU-vid at its best; being able to share and enjoy nostalgic clips and events. What a tough competitive year 1962 was; but Mr. Peck, on his 5th try, was well rewarded for a role and performance of a lifetime. His Atticus Finch is a gift to all of us.
The deep resonate voice, his quiet confidence and integrity , handsome, humble, intelligent , a gentleman who was a great actor who never just mailed it in. He turned good movies into great movies. My favorites besides this one were Boys of Brazil , The Omen, Moby Dick, Cape Fear , Gentleman's Agreement, and Roman Holiday.
Gregory Peck was Atticus Finch - he didn’t just play the character - the character was Gregory Peck. Once in a while an actor or actress is lucky enough to be given the role that is simply & often quite beautifully an extension of his or her own character & deliver a performance of a lifetime. To Kill A Mockingbird proves this. Film & novel forever in my heart. Note the long applause & standing ovation he received for one of the best deserved Oscars of all time for one of the best loved films of all time. Other favorites inc Keys of the Kingdom - Big Country - David & Bathsheba - Spellbound -- I could go on & on & on.❤️😍
I saw this move is at early primary school on a reel. I'm 61 now. This man inspired me then especially his capacity for truthfulness and honesty- sorely lacking in society today. Humble, gracious and appreciative- an outstanding human being.
An amazing time and people were very decent and proper Gregory Peck was an outstanding actor and person who really was a truly wonderful man never to be forgotten !!!!!
It is privileged to watch three legendary on one stage.Sophia,Frank n Gregory,awesome.Rughtly deserved award to great Gregory Peck.He should have more Oscar than one!What a great actor with authorative voice n high quality dialogue delivery.👍👍👍🙏
Gregory Peck once talked about how when he was at Barter Theatre that he would help bring lighting to my little hometown on the weekends..It was tucked way back in the mountains of South West Virginia,and to hear him talk about how he enjoyed spending time there really touched my heart..
A former boss of mine lived in a Brentwood (LA community) condominium building, and Mr. Peck’s agent also lived there. She and her daughter encountered him a few times on the elevator and they raved about how genuine, gentlemanly and charming he was to them. I loved hearing this about an actor whom I loved and admired.
What year this was! Jack Lemmon, Peter O'Toole and Gregory Peck. Three amazingly brilliant actors who deserved to win for their performances that year.
I was 19 years old and in a watch store in Geneva, Switzerland in 1974 and I was looking carefully at the watches in a glass case and all of a sudden I heard a familiar voice behind me. It sounded like Gregory Peck. I turned around and it was Gregory Peck looking at watches. What surprised me is I so instantly recognized his rather unique voice.
I must thank my teacher for showing clips of To Kill A Mockingbird in my class. If it weren’t for her, I wouldn’t have seen Gregory Peck, his movies and other great film classics. Even if my teacher didn’t show the clips, I still would’ve discovered him, however I’m grateful that I discovered him now while I am still young. 👏👏👏
I love watching the old Oscars, but it makes me very sad that most of them have passed away. Brilliant all of them never to be repeated with great performances. I don’t watch the Oscars anymore, not the same. The magic has now gone forever.
I agree. It really was a golden age. I was born in 1960. But I realized at a very young age that I was living in an era of music, film, dance that set the bar that would never be reached again. 5 years old listening to Dean Martin and Judy Garland sing, watching Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers dance and seeing Gary Cooper, Cary Grant, Gregory Peck, Katherine Hepburn, Peter O'Toole, Ingrid Bergman... it will NEVER be that good again.
The love of my life. I literally look at this man and here him speak and he is literally the embodiment of what i want in a man. Such a poised, chivalrous, kind, gentleman with a heart of gold. He's obviously in Heaven with Father God, Brother Jesus, and the angels. R.I.P Mr. Peck. There will.never be anyone like you ever again. ❤ ❤
What a voice and inspiring actor! He and all the others top actors nominated brought us breathtaking performances that we may never see again, but can only hope for!
I studied To Kill a Mockingbird for English Literature at 15 and absolutely fell in love with the book so when we had finished reading it in class and my teacher decided to bring in the film to let us watch it, I REALLY didn't want to as I had a picture in my head of every character and what I thought they looked like and I didn't want to ruin my own fantasy with a film. Luckily enough my favourite character, Atticus Finch, was played by this gorgeous man who I sort of fell in love with after seeing the film. I came home swooning to my mother about how handsome the man playing Atticus was and she told me his name and said she thought he was pretty decent too! Everyone in my class thought I was insane because I was the only one that enjoyed the book and the film, as a result when we read the book out loud in class my teacher made me do all the reading towards the end as no one else cared or was interested as to what happened. When we got towards the end and we got to the part where Scout says 'Hey Boo' I burst into tears and when it got to that moment in the film I burst into tears too and every year I read it I STILL cry.
Wow, the competition for the best actor award was I think one of the best ever- Peter O'Toole,Jack Lemon , and Burt Lancaster were 3 of the greatest actors of all time, and their performances this year, would have won in any other year !
Atticus Finch was my hero, my idol, my role model in childhood - I wanted to grow up into a man like him. I was afraid the movie would ruin the images the book created in my mind. But Gregory Peck was just perfect. A gentleman in real life too.
Thank you Mr. Peck. If it wasn't for your brilliant performance in the movie, I would have never even thought of pursuing a Legal career to advocate for Justice in today's world. How you portrayed so perfectly a caring family man father inspired me into taking responsibility in my life to become the best influence I can be for my children, spouse and community.
