Tell us which Oscar-winning performances you think were shocking winners! Participate in fun daily polls and join our weekly Oscar video community: ru-vid.com... @oscarman42
1950 - the sound of the audience remembered me 1993/94 audience's reaction when Anna Paquin won, like : "Wow ! She deserves it but, we've never thought this could actually happen". 1950 and 1995 were killer lineups; my favorite ones .
Marcia Gay Harden winning Best Supporting Actress for Pollock, despite the fact that she had no precursor nominations and only a New York Film Critics Best Supporting Actress Award and Kevin Kline winning Best Supporting Actor for A Fish Called Wanda because even though that was a hit comedy, comedic performances rarely win.
I actually correctly predicted Harden's victory. I thought Dench was out of the running, Hudson and McDormand would cancel each other out, and not enough people saw Walter's film.
Marcia Gay Harden in Pollock. Was really rooting for her despite knowing that she probably had zero shot at winning. I was thrilled to see her win. I thought she was really brilliant in Pollock.
Interestingly, while I understand how her win seemed like a shock, I actually predicted her victory that year, even though she wasn't even nominated for any of the major precursor awards.
With Tomei, perhaps that she was the only American against four foreigners gave her a boost of ‘American pride.’ -I’d have to say that I was generally Shocked at Anna Paquin winning for The Piano. Though she completely deserved the award, I felt was the Academy voters were too ‘highbrow’ to bestow such a prestigious award to ‘a child.’ Winona Ryder seemed like it was her time, but I 17:37 17:37 guess the voters felt differently.
The "only American" theory has been bandied about, but I don't think Academy members cast their vote because of that (I could very well be wrong). Paquin's win was a big surprise because, as you stated, Ryder was considered the frontrunner that year.
Recently, I think Anthony Hopkins for Father winning over Chadwick Boseman has to be seen as a surprise, because the Academy itself put the Best Actor award at the very end of the show so that Boseman's win and posthumous award could be highlighted as the event of the entire night! Even the Academy was certain! Case closed! Lol
Anthony Hopkins deserved that Oscar for The Father. Beautiful depiction of dementia. It was a terribly produced ceremony by Steven Soderbergh ending it with what they thought would be a posthumous win for Bozeman.
@@atticusfinch3845 One of (if not the) worst ceremonies in Oscar history. We know there were challenges that year, but all of the decisions were bad, including not showing clips of the nominees. And the manipulation at the end backfired big time.
I completely agree. Had she been nominated in a less competitive year, she would have had a strong chance of winning (not to mention Hope Emerson's great performance in the film too).
Art Carney is very wonderful in HARRY AND TONTO and so is Nicholson in CHINATOWN. Carney probably won the sentimental vote and as you say, the older vote. I think it's a great win.
I'm so glad others appreciate his performance and Oscar win. Sentiment was undoubtedly on his side, but it wasn't the first time that helped an actor to win (nor it would be the last).
My thinking is that many haven't seen the film or his performance, which is why there is negativity about his win. Your positive comment is appreciated.
Every now and then, an Oscar surprise win is so much fun. I agree with your comments that with all the precursors, one goes into the night kinda knowing who the winners will be. My favorite surprise of all the ones mentioned here was Marisa Tomei's victory. Love that performance! It's one of my guilty pleasures.
As much as I love competitions, it does somewhat dampen the excitement of the Oscars when there are so many "sure things" going into the ceremony. For me, the most recent nailbiter was Butler vs. Fraser - I really thought it was close (and I bet on the wrong one!).
@@oscarman42 I too thought Butler was taking it after BAFTA. Nailbiter Honorable Mention: Stone versus Gladstone. I thought Lily was taking it, mostly because of the narrative, but was happy to be wrong about that one!
I just rewatched the Exorcist, I don't think Ellen Burstyn not winning for that role is shocking. The character of Kris is underwritten in comparison to the book, I will add Fr. Karris is underwritten in the movie too. In the book, the reader feels for both of these characters, understands what they are going through and provides the emotional impact for the decisions they make. There is no emotional impact for Kris or Fr. Karris in the movie. I believe if Streisand had not won in the tie, I do think she would have won for The Way We Were, that last scene has emotional punch that is very relatable to anyone who has ever been in a relationship with "the one" but knew the relationship had to end. Jackson's win is not that surprising if you look at her range as an actress from 1969 to 1973. She did a lot of different roles and did them very successfully.
Jackson was the "dark horse" that year and, because of her recent win, wasn't expected to win, especially for a comedy. I liked her performance in A Touch of Class much more than Women in Love, though oftentimes I thought she was the same in many of her roles.
That's it ! I've said that this week about Marisa Tomei. Holliday and Tomei won with a tiny portion of votes over the 2nd placed. And I've said : Tomei against ONLY Redgrave, for instance, Redgrave would win. And Holliday against ONLY Swanson, for instance, Swanson would win .
Kate and Spencer knew Judy was being considered for Born Yesterday and campaigned to get her in Adam's Rib to help her chances. I forget the director's name, but he claimed he went to New York and when he opened his suitcase, he realized he hadn't sent in his ballot and it was too late. He voted for Katharine Hepburn
@oscarman42 For Lion in Winter. She would have won outright had he sent it in. Also, if she hadn't won the year before I don't think it would have been a tie and she would have won outright I think people didn't vote for her simply because of her win for Guess Who's Coming to Dinner.
@@joeburinskas8672 I think we all know that Streisand tipped the scales that year, but I agree with you that Hepburn would likely have received s lot more votes had she not won the prior year.
You are the first 'Oscar' blogger who has tackled the BIG 1950 best actress enigma. Kudos for that! Art Carney was fantastic in 'Harry and Tonto.' A wonderful 'slice of life' film. I remember seeing 'Caged' as a kid. Wow was that scary! Especially the warden who shaved Elanor Parker's hair!! Marisa Tomei's performance is one to always be remembered. THe others were more la-la she-she roles and films. 'My Couson VInny' was not just a comedy, but a layman/ everyday person's film.
Thank you for the supportive words. Hope Emerson (the prison matron) was outstanding in Caged, and she should have won Supporting Actress! The "la-la" "she-she" references had me LOL. Look forward to your input on future videos!
Marisa tomei won because her performance was very showy and overtop. Oscar voters like big,showy and overtop performances. Same thing happened with melissa leo in the fighter and denzel Washington in training day!!! Academy loves big showy performances
1974 - I don't care much . The favorite were : Pacino - I think he is better in "Godfather - part III" (actually he was the best actor of 1990 and he was not even nominated). And ... Jack Nicholson is not an exceptional actor. So, let it with Carney. But, of course, it was a shocker !
@@Andre_edge For me, Jack delivers the same performance and character in every role in every one of his movies. I'm not a big fan of his. There I said it!
I was happy for Judy in Born Yesterday, a comic performance over dramatic ones, well done & years later Tomei did it for MCV, albeit in Best SA, another standout. Comic performances can be worthy if done right as in these 2 cases. Art winning for H&T was welcomed, and hopefully he thanked his sidekick, the cat. For me, it was a low-key performance and these type can also be a standout. I agree, H&T is a very good film & worth viewing for those who didn't see it. Marsha did get most of her noms with then husband Neil Simon, it almost sounds rigged? Who knows? Adrien was exceptional in The Pianist, you have to view it a few more times to really appreciate how good he was. The film was a bit disturbing from time-to-time, but he excelled splendidly. Actually I love Barbra better as a singer than actress, I just don't find anything she does memorable. I still think Marisa earned her Oscar and will always say this. Her Mona Lisa is a memorable character that I do remember, unlike the other 4 whose movies are rarely telecast & I don't really remember, but in MCV, we can always catch this movie on TNT, TBS or USA. Anyway she earned 2 more noms with ITB & The Wrestler, so she proved she's earned her way in Hollywood. Great video, love the ones that make us really think. I hope I did it right today with my observations of your offerings of surprise winners.
Carney did not thank Tonto, his co-star, who likely helped him to win...blasphemy! Thanks for the ongoing support, and for your terrific participation on the channel. Your observations and engagement with the others here are always a highlight.
@@oscarman42 Thank you, I am amazed as of late how many of us do text back and forth everyday in the comment section. Thank you for always reading all of our comments and then commenting on your observation and what you read between us. I love both Pat's, Pablo's passion, William's brilliant convictions and critiques and the incomparable Andre!
I think Judy had more support back then than maybe some think she did especially now. I don’t know that Bette had much of a chance as many think. She had two Oscars and it was Judy and Gloria that one the Golden Globes. I think Hepburn and Tracy especially Hepburn were behind her bringing her on to Adam’s Rib that could have made a difference with some academy members. I’m sure many had already seen Born Yesterday on stage now they had the chance to award her. I still think if Bette or Gloria had won it would still be a controversy.People thinking the other should have won or that why not Judy after all? I think with the audience it’s shock and excitement for something new and different. Art Carney I still need to watch this one but it’s like which one of these is not like the others . The academy of older members probably liked it Carney was loved and respected. I can imagine the cat helped! Glenda Jackson - I actually love this win it’s like if Hepburn had won for one of her romantic comedies. There was a sizable effort against The Exorcist including a formidable opponent in George Cuckor . I haven’t seen Cinderella Liberty I would have given it to Marsha later for Only When I Laugh. Adrien Brody was surprising because he wasn’t the other four. Now it makes sense on the strength of his performance and the subject matter . I thought DDL was too over the top in Gangs . Cage was definitely overshadowed by Streep and Cooper. Jack had already won three I don’t believe there was actually much desire to give him a fourth. I still haven’t seen Caine’s performance for that year . Did many see it? Barbra Streisand and Hepburn tying almost seems like the perfect end to a movie.Two legends. Marisa was a surprise the best kind of surprise . Now not many even know or remember the other four movies. Marcia Gay Harden is one of the biggest surprises to me. Well deserved too .
Yes, Harden was a surprise to many (though I did predict her win that year). I appreciate your theory on Holliday's win - it makes a lot of sense. As you know, I liked Jackson's second win much more than her first - glad to know others appreciate her performance. Thanks for covering everything in such detail (again)!
Gloria Swanson all day and every day! Her performance in SUNSET BOULEVARD is still my all-time favorite. She also won the GG that year for drama. As you say all 5 nominees that year gave Oscar caliber performances. They are all great; Swanson's is legendary.
My late husband and I always argued about the 1950 Oscar for best actress. The tricky part is that both played similar characters. Both are fading Actresses, Davis unwilling to accept the fact that she is getting older and Swanson longing for the past days of her popularity. He always said Davis and I always said Swanson. I always thought that Davis kind played herself and that Swanson had the tougher acting job of portraying a fading actress descending into madness.
I wonder if the fact that Davis already had two Oscars counted against her. Maybe the Academy wasn't yet ready to bestow a third in a lead actor category. I think if Richardson had been nominated for The Crying Game, she might have had a shot. She was breathtaking in that movie, and it was more popular and talked about than Enchanted April.
It had been 25 years since Davis won her second Oscar, so the timing appeared to be right to award her again. But the competition was brutal that year - though we'll never know how close she came to winning that third trophy. Richardson's embarrassment of riches might have cost her the Oscar, perhaps because some voters would have preferred her performance in The Crying Game instead of Damage. You raise some interesting points!
Can't say I've ever been really shocked by a Best Actor win. But did feel like Adrian Brodie got too much too soon and got in over his head. Almost like he got cursed by winning too soon in his career.
The "Oscar Curse" theory has been discussed over the years, with several winners seemingly the victim of winning either too early in their careers or undeservedly.
Two older upsets I'd like to mention here: Luise Rainer for "The great Ziegfeld" (1937) and Loretta Young for "The farmer's daughter" (1948). In 1937, Norma Shearer (on her fifth nomination) was expected to win for "Romeo and Juliet": she certainly gave a creditable performance, and she also had sentiment going for her (her husband, Irving Thalberg) had died about six months previously). As for Young's 1948 win, that really was seen as an upset: smart money was on Rosalind Russell (her third nomination) for the worthy-but-tedious "Mourning becomes Electra." I recall reading where most polls put Young at the bottom of the list; and it has become part of Oscar legend that Russell had already stood up before she realized it wasn't her name that had been called. (Good sport that she was, she remained standing to lead the applause for Young.)
Yes - I actually discussed everything you wrote about Young's win in my "Oscar Upsets" video...though I guess it could also have been considered a shock. I think Rainer's back-to-back wins were the most shocking, since it had not happened before.
I think the film (and her performance) has gained respect over time, with a new generation of filmgoers appreciating her performance more so than what happened 30 years ago.
I'm back...my computer was giving me problems last week ... I am no longer wearing the splint on my arm Now to the business at hand: 1) Richard Dreyfus (The Goodbye Girl) winning over Richard Burton (Equus) 2) Lee Marvin (Cat Ballou) winning over Rod Steiger (The Pawnbroker) 3) Cliff Robertson (Charley) over Peter O'Toole (Lion in Winter)
I wondered where you were! Congrats on your "freedom." Dreyfuss' win, definitely, as was Marvin's. Robertson's win certainly was a surprise (and not altogether a popular one). What did you think of the latter's win for Charly?
Oscarman I still say the biggest shocking Oscar win was William Hurt Kiss on the spider woman a small Indie South American film nobody saw and very few people knew about. I remember that year the the talk was about Jack Nicholson and John Voigt and sentimental for James Garner. when William Hurt he was in shock along with everyone else at Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.
As noted before this video, Rosalind Russell, the presumed front-runner in 1947's "Mourning Becomes Electra," losing to Loretta Young in "The Farmer's Daughter," ranks right up there in upsets. However, I personally feel it was the film and subject matter that doomed dear Roz. Regarding Art Carney's win, I vote for "Tonto." (Side note: I can't watch the film because Tonto dies!) Regarding Glenda Jackson's second win, I recall watching it live in my college dormroom. I still think Susan Hayward was flustered by the name of the film Marsha Mason was in, thinking the teleprompter was telling her "Marsha Mason in 'Cinderella.'" Poor gal who needed strong man Heston to advise her 'steady.' Her deformity from the car wreck when young is most visible here with her severe lean! (Watch it previously during her ..."Tree" number in "Valley of the Dolls.")
Yes, Russell's downbeat film didn't help, in what turned out to be her best chance at winning a competitive Oscar. As for Tonto and his fate in the film, I most definitely feel you! I wasn't aware that Hayward was injured, nor did I notice a lean in her performances.
I think you got the big ones. However, there are three that I thought were shocking (and yet I feel they were all the better choice than the predicted winner). First Juliet Binoche for 1996's The English Patient over Lauren Bacall for The Mirror Has Two Faces. That year i didn't think Juliet Binoche had a chance and Lauren had it in the bag. The second is Mark Rylance for 2015's Bridge of Spies over Sylvester Stallone for Creed, another sentimental favorite. I was truly shocked when I hear Mark Rylance's name. The last being Anthony Hopkins in 2020 for The Father. His win over Chadwick Boseman's performance in Ma Rainey's Black Bottom was the most surprising. Hopkins is an incredible actor giving a performance of a lifetime. Boseman, on the other hand, was impressive and the sentiment behind him was strong. Even though I love both of these performances I hate to say I think the academy got it right. Also, there are a couple of years of "who the hello are they going to give it to," Look at the 1972 supporting actress race there was no front runner and Eileen Heckart took the prize or in 1999 when James Coburn won for Affliction.
I'm still shocked Helen Hunt won an Oscar for as As Good As It Gets. I'm all for comedy winning at the Oscars but calling that film a Romantic Comedy is generous.
Hunt is shocking looking at it through 2024 eyes but it was not shocking 1997-1998. She was on tv every week on Mad About You and made you forget her as Jamie Buckman when you watched As Good As It Gets. She was also the only American in the line up.
I loved Holiday in Born Yesterday..Should Swanson have gotten it? Of course. But Holiday was very charming and funny and that's ok! I'm a total Harry and Tonto fan. A movie I only saw recently. As a child of the 1970s, this was such a complete performance. I'm NOT a cat lover, or my allergies don't love cats, but this quiet little road movie, with an old guy who played it totally against type, won my heart. And lots of little cameos by Burstyn, Larry Hagman, Melanie Mayron and others. It's a gem. Like Holiday and Carney, Tomei is a New Yorker...Anyone from the tri-state area will tell you, Tomei was not exaggerating too much here! We all new a Mona or three! Like Holiday, she was charming and funny...Did she deserve it? Sure...Why not...And since we're here, let's get Marsha Mason an Oscar just for the stare she gave Neil when Jackson was announced. Glenda Jackson? Bring a book...Shakespeare...then I won't read it...and as an aside, I had a Helen Hayes Airport dream last night, in anticipation of your video...hmmm...ESP??? Give it back, Helen!!!! Shocking.
Thank you for a great, amusing post! I wish Hayes' win had been a dream, and it was discovered that the wrong nominee from Airport was announced as the winner! ;-)
Kelly had won several awards prior to the Oscars, so I think more are upset that Garland lost. Same for Christie, who was in virtually every scene of Darling. Andrews had won the year before which likely cost her votes the second time around.
EVERYBODY loved Marissa Tomei’s performance in My Cousin Vinny till she won the Oscar. Then a whole cult turned on her, even those who for years bemoaned the fact that comedy performances are almost always ignored. Hypocrites. Time has proven this performance memorable while the other nominees, as good as they are, have faded from memory.
Tomei received more backlash than any other winner, yet she withstood all of it and has always maintained a sense of humor about something I would have taken great offense to.
Sophia Loren in Two Women, 1961. No1 at tt time expected a foreign lang performance wld win the Oscar! Loren herself din tink she'd win n was so nervous she'd appear as a sore loser tt she skipped the ceremony n stayed home to wait for the result. The runner-up is probably GG drama n NBR winners, Geraldine Page for Summer n Smoke.
Granting the justice of the tie, let's just say that if Barbra Streisand hadn't won for Funny Girl, despite the undoubted excellence of Katherine Hepburn's performance, it would have been one of the greatest mistakes in all of Oscar history. She is epic in that film as Fanny Brice, exhibiting the highest level of musical and comic and dramatic talent. Consider the final scene alone, singing My Man, which still dumbfounds one today. Good Lord ! Along with Judy Garland's scene in A Star is Born singing The Man Who Got Away, it's the best musical performance ever in a film. Btw I wouldn't be so sure she voted for herself. Despite her ego, she can be remarkably self effacing at times and truthful as she sees it.
I read that the "My Man" number was shot with Streisand singing live, so that she could properly capture the emotions of the song. As for her ballot, I would bet a good amount of money that she checked the box next to her name (I would have!) 😉
Excellent video again this week michael, i think cliff robertsons win for charly was a shock, that oscar should have gone to peter o toole or ron moody. John waynes win for true grit could have gone to any of the other 4 that year. So many great actors and actresses that have won oscars didnt win for their best performance.
Ingrid bergman for Murder on the Orient Express. I'm not a fan of this film, instead i prefer the Kenneth Branagh version. Bergman is good in the film, and she is one of my top 5 fav actresses of all time, but i would literally have any other actress in the film win this award. Peter Ustinov is amazing in Topkapi, this film should have gotten way more nominations. I would say Edmond O'Brien for The Barefoot Contessa, but that couldn't have been a big surprise since he had won the Golden Globes. The bigger surprise to me is that he was the member of the cast to be chosen instead of Marius Goring or Rossano Brazzi. He's good, but if he was to win for a film, i would have chosen his performance in the second best noir film of all time: George Cukor's A Double Life. However all eyes were on Ronald Colman for that film. Emma Stone winning her second Oscar was a big surprise for me. I was dead certain that Lily Gladstone would've won herself the award.
@@BFA100 Maybe if she was in supporting? I don't really think she's as leading as any other of the 4 actresses, even the one from Maestro (I forgot her name). Then Margot could have been nominated.
Bergman shouldn't have won that third Oscar, but she was expected to at the time, as sort of a Sentimental/Apology award (even she didn't think she deserved it). I wonder if the three nominees from On the Waterfront canceled each other out, leaving the door open for O'Brien. Ustinov's win seemed to come out of nowhere. And I was (very pleasantly) surprised when Stone won. Thanks for the great input.
@@oscarman42 If i remember correctly, Robert De Niro's win for the Godfather II was a big surprise. I was trying to think of someone else but the only case i can remember is Helen Hayes for Airport, and i've already mentioned that story way too many times.
@@mainlineproductions9419 De Niro's win was indeed a surprise, as everyone expected Fred Astaire to win a Sentimental/Career Oscar for The Towering Inferno. I think the Academy made the right choice that year!
