These actresses won 2 Lead Actress Oscars. Tell us which of their two winning performances you think was best! Join us for fun daily polls and weekly Oscar videos: ru-vid.com... @oscarman42
In my opinion Vivien Leigh in Streetcar is absolutely brilliant and heartbreaking all at the same time and Elizabeth Taylor's work in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf is absolutely brilliant and Ingrid Bergman in Gaslight is wonderful
My choices: Bette: Clearly Jezebel Luise: The Good Earth is all-time great but she's fantastic in Ziegfeld, too Vivien Leigh: the most difficult one, two of the best performances of all time. I give the edge to Streetcar but she's iconic for a reason Ingrid: Easily Gaslight Olivia: Easily The Heiress Liz: Easily Viriginia Woolf Glenda: I ADORE her in both but I give the edge to Women in Love
After reading most of the posts, I guess I’m in the minority because I personally loved Glenda Jackson in A Touch of Class. Her and George Segal together were brilliant. Very funny movie and a fantastic comedic performance from Jackson.
Taylor herself said she didn't deserve the win for "Butterfield 8" which was mostly a sympathy vote for her health problems at the time. On the other hand, her performance as Martha in "Virginia Woolf" has a raw intensity that is spellbinding.
Leigh carried the weight of such a behemoth as GWTW. I know it’s cliche, but I firmly believe she was born to play Scarlett. 84 years later, and we’re still in awe. Then Streetcar, magnificent. I heard Jessica Tandys version in audio, and though Tandy was a fine actress, it was a huge contrast to Leigh’s. Vivien wove sexuality into the lines brilliantly to where Tandy did not.
Even though Leigh was the only actor not to cross over from the stage production, she was able to meld with the other 3 beautifully, making Blanche DuBois her own as if she originally created the character.
@@oscarman42 the standard theatrical acting of Leigh contrasted with brando’s new realistic method acting , made their dynamic even better by the difference
My 2 favorite performances of all time: Vivien in "A Streetcar Named Desire" and Olivia in "The Heiress". And in my top ten: Vivien in "Gone with the Wind", Bette in "Jezebel" and Glenda (the best actress of the '60s and '70s) in "Women in Love".
The real question with many of these double wins is not "which was better?", but should they really have been nominated at all? Bette Davis didn't really think she should have been nominated for Dangerous; it was clearly a consolation prize for not being recognised for Of Human Bondage. In retrospect Luise Rainer's win for The Good Earth is a "yellow-face" embarrassment, besides not being a particularly distinguished performance. Like Davis with Dangerous, Taylor herself didn't think she should have won for Butterfield 8 - and she's right. And Glenda Jackson's lightweight performance in A Touch of Class was also undeserving. She should have lost to Barbra Streisand in The Way We Were - an iconic performance in a much better film - and one that is now regarded as a classic, while Touch of Class is dated and all but forgotten.
I think Ingrid Bergman's best work of the Oscar winning performances is ANASTASIA. I am not to fond of GASLGHT. I think she was much better in CASABLANCA, BELLS OF ST. MARY"S, SPELLBOUND and AUTUMN SONOTA. I am a big fan of Bergman's, but I am not a fan of NOTORIOUS, I like Luise Rainer's performance in the THE GREAT ZIEGFELD, but it is a supporting role. I have never seen THE GOOD EARTH, to be honest. I agree that Elizabeth Taylor didn't deserve her first Oscar, and again I agree with you that she was much better than the material she was given. Sorry, Ms. MacLaine, I still would have voted for Deborah Kerr for best actress for THE SUNDOWNERS ... yes, I am a big fan of Ms. Kerr. As for Olivia DeHavilland, I give a slight nod to THE HEIRESS. Both Jody in TO EACH HIS OWN and Catherine in THE HEIRESS are a bit too similar -- shy, reserved young women who became forceful. I like TO EACH HIS OWN as a movie, but wasn't she better in THE SNAKE PIT, FYI: Wendy Hiller played Catherine on Broadway. To be honest, I barely remember either of Glenda Jackson's Oscar winning performances and I saw them both I am gonna commit heresy here. I understand all the praise Vivien Leigh get for A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE, but I still prefer as Scarlett O'Hara. Too bad that Ms. Leigh was only 53 when she died. I think Bette Davis did her best work in DARK VICTORY, THE LETTER, MR. SKEFFINGTON and A CATERED AFFAIR
I thought A Touch of Class to me was a stale romantic comedy and to see Glenda Jackson win an Oscar for that film over some more worthy contenders that year was absolutely shocking and I think her first Oscar win for Women in Love was a better win.
There are many who didn't care for Touch of Class. Conversely, I thought Women in Love was a pretentious bore and that Carrie Snodgress deserved to win that year.
I've been a fan of Glenda Jackson for decades; I also have always liked George Segal. But I thought" A Touch of Class'was just a tactlessly lurid "little" story. Jackson and Segal did the best they could.
It's just a shame that the Academy had (and still absolutely has) an aversion to horror movies, because I really believe Burstyn should have won that prize hands down.
Glenda Jackson did not deserve to win either one of her two best actress Oscars. They were two average mediocre performances in weak films. Glenda Jackson was one of those top class or top tier of those British actresses I truly did not like. As compared to actresses like Julie Andrews, Maggie Smith, Julie Christie, Vanessa Redgrave who were much more admirable.
Bette davis won too early her best performances came later Dark Victory, All About Eve and of course my Baby Jane .. im convinced thats why she never won again ...
I agree with your choices. Though to be fair to the late Glenda Jackson, she just delivered good work and didn't really care for the accolates. Sure, they were helpful, but she found reward in her work. Luise Rainer's yellowface performance is good for what it was at the time, but part of me wonders if it wasn't for the Hays Code, what Anna May Wong would have brought to the character.
Wong was around at the wrong time and lost out on a career-making role. Interesting point about Jackson regarding the accolades - I would add Leigh and definitely Rainer (which is why the latter ultimately quit).
@@oscarman42 Wong did advocate for the role, but the Hays Code that had a misgenation clause put that off the minute Paul Muni was hired. Luise Rainer said she based her performance on a Chinese woman who was an extra in the film, but I'm glad Hollywood is trying to move on from that, ideally speaking. Like, Michelle Yeoh's win was 95 years coming and almost an apology for rewarding yellowface repeatedly in the past re: Academy Award history.
Vivien was iconic as Scarlett and considering she was a British and she nailed her southern accent too..... But Streetcar named desire was such another level!
1. Most would doubt Elizabeth would even be nominated for Butterfield 8 if she won first for Who's Afraid. 2. Question about Russell Crowe: if a Beautiful Mind came out first, would he gotten Best Actor and then only be nominated for Gladiator.
Interesting to speculate. Since B8 came out before VW, hard to answer the first question. As for the second question, I'll answer this way: I think had Crowe not won for Gladiator, he definitely would have won for A Beautiful Mind.
Like I just recently mentioned in your poll...Leigh's two wins are actual all-timers. She deserved both wins by a mile. Every other actress in this video didn't deserve one or either of their prizes. Taylor's win for BUtterfield 8 is the second worst win in this category imo, only behind Sandra Bullock.
@@oscarman42 Well, Bullock is pretty hard to top, and it didn't help her case after what Michael Oher said about the Tuohys last year. I personally think Gabourey Sidibe was robbed blind that year.
@@toobevr1244 In no way did I think Bullock deserved an Oscar for that performance for what was basically a Movie of the Week. She was OK...I just think there were much worse winners.
Vivien Leigh was the best on this list. Two very different performances in American accents but wholly believable. Blanche DuBois is almost Scarlett O'Hara's vision of her eventual fate. A beautiful actress who was also hugely talented. ❤
For the most part this is an easy one. Davis Jezabel Rainer -The Great Ziegfield Leigh -Streetcar Bergman -Gaslight deHavilland -The Heriess Taylor -Virgina Wolf Jackson A Touch of Class Davis she had a run of great performances for about a dozen years I don't even think Dangerous is as bad as some do. I don't like her later work nearly as much but there is now doubt she left one of the strongest imprints . Rainer -I don't care for either really I would have gone for Carole Lombard (My Man Godfrey )over The Great Ziegfield and either Irene Dunne (The Awful Truth ) or Barbara Stanwyck (Stella Dallas) Leigh- she batted a thousand didn't she ? Two nominations two wins and for her best and most iconic role .That almost never happens. I am probably not as big of a fan of hers as many are but I think she nailed both roles. Bergman -Gaslight one of my favorite wins in one of my favorite movies .This was my mom's favorite movie and her one of her favorite performances . deHavilland -confession time I am not a fan of either really .She's a hit or miss for me .I think she was better in The Snakepit and Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte .She should have played more villians .It's interesting history Joan Crawford and Vivien Leigh could have played that part in Hush Hush Sweet Charlotte but I think Olivia was perfect for it. Taylor -is there really a choice here ? I still can't believe they did this Taylor over MacLaine illness or not . I do think Taylor is better than the materiel but even a nomination is a stretch . Jackson - Glenda gives a very underrated performance in A Touch of Class. I watched about a week before her death and instantly dismissed the critisism she recieved for the performance and the win. It's a sharp,crisp performance with a geniune flair for comedy . The second part will have my favorite two time winner and I don't know which to choose I may have to watch both again,
Wow - you've outdone yourself with this detailed, impressive response! Great analysis of each actress. (And yes, admittedly most these choices weren't all that difficult to make.)
@@oscarman42 Thanks .One thing I have noticed is many two time winners come close together withing a ten year span. There are obvious exceptions .I think that's why you can't discount one who has one even if it's recent .After that a third or fourth win is far less likely but it does happen. Hepburn and MacDormand's second and thir wins came close together . I did see the third win coming for Frances but I also think that was one of the more competative years with strong competion .
@@oscarman42 Well you make a good point about Luise in The Good Earth .O Lan is a role that doesn't give much for an actress to work with .It's her I remember from the film. You have me somewhat convinced.I think she was a lovely person always .Her return to the Oscars in 1953 meet with a lot of warmth it seems.
Touch of Class and those 70s comedies like say anything by Neil Simon that was forced down our throats, reminds me of films like Peyton Place or Butterfield 8...Actors actoring but is the material any good??? I"m reading "Cocktails with George and Martha" about the making of V. Woolf and it's pretty eye opening...Prior to that film Taylor never had cast rehearsals, she'd get direction from the director prior to a scene...Anyhoo, I think Martha was obviously the better performance...at 32 years old with that cracky make up, she pulled off playing an old drunk with humor and pathos. Glenda Jackson, for me, just played the same role over and over...Hopscotch with Walter Matthau! Bring a book.
@@oscarman42 Right back ya...it's a fun read! and yes, seems they were all "worried" Elizabeth would not pull it off, many felt she didn't have the depth for the role. But they wanted the two of them desperately.
Yet another terrific video. I especially enjoyed the clip of Luise Rainer at the Oscars - She looked so glamorous! I agreed with most of your choices. Choosing among the two performances was easiest for Elizabeth Taylor (Virginia Woolf, to me, is an all around master class in acting) and hardest for Vivian Leigh (although I’m forever a Gone With The Wind fan first). I’m already excited about your next video. I started thinking about the excellent actresses (and excellent performances) to be covered - Meryl, Hilary, Emma……
While I agree with the majority of your choices, I feel Emma Stone has two of the most undeserving wins of all time. Annette Bening should have been up for 20th Century Women the year of LaLa Land and Poor Things bored me silly and I found her performance underwhelming to say the least. Sandra Hueller was my choice this year. But opinions make these discussions interesting.
Interesting I thought Annette really deserved it for Nyad and was convinced she would pull an upset... Either way she is long overdue for an Oscar at some point she could read the yellow pages and deserve a career win
Amazing, isn't it, that Ranier left the business, yet when she appeared at the Oscars years later, she still looked like a movie star. Some people never lose it. I think Jackson was just a little bit better in Women in Love, though you are right about her facility with comedy.
@@oscarman42 Ms. Rainer appeared in two Oscar telecasts in which the Academy was saluting previous winners. She was in her late 80s when she appeared on the telecasts. She took a few roles on television. I have to wonder she might have regretted dismissing Hollywood so lightly -- I wonder the same about Greta Garbo.
Louise Rainer’s performance in “The Good Earth” was so bad and so offensive, I don’t understand why would anyone choose it or even consider it a good performance! Talk about having shit taste!
Not everyone will agree with you, and that doesn't mean that they are wrong and you are right. All opinions here are valid (and in the future refrain from inappropriate language or your comments will be removed).
It’s racist and offensive but oddly enough, you don’t seem to find racism problematic. Says a lot about you and attitudes towards racism. You’re such a disappointment.
@oscarman42- The performance is just racist and offensive but it seems like you think that’s perfectly fine. That says a lot about you and your defense for bigotry. What a disappointment you turn out to be.
Superb video!!! I agree with every judgement you make, Michael, except on Glenda Jackson. They are both brilliant performances, so we aren't far apart; but I prefer in a pinch Women in Love. As a huge fan of Lawrence's best novel, I am always stunned at her interpretation of Gudrun which takes the character as written into a further, deeper dimension. Hail to all of these great actresses. I'll slip in here that Bette Davis' best performances weren't her Oscar winners. They are two performances which didn't win an Oscar as they should have: The Little Foxes and All About Eve
Thank you, William! Truthfully, I would have raised an eyebrow if you had chosen A Touch of Class, because I sensed that Women in Love was a film you would appreciate more than I did. I know you are keenly aware that these weren't exactly difficult choices to make (save Leigh), so I'm looking forward to your thoughts on Part 2 next week!
@@oscarman42 Of course, I look forward to it. I should say too that Women in Love is finally a failure as a film. Ken Russell, who I am always equivocal about, interprets the novel with his own erratic twist and sentimental flourishes. The book is much, much better than the film, has a more classical arc and seriousness. Jackson is the towering survivor, as the ship sinks, and transcends the screenplay, faithful to Lawrence's inspiration.
@@williamreed2558Perhaps the only successful film based on D.H. Lawrence was Sons and Lovers - your thoughts? Women in Love is remembered for Jackson's win and the infamous nude wrestling scene.
@@oscarman42 Yes, Sons and Lovers is the best I've seen. I remember Trevor Howard and Wendy Hiller esp. I vaguely remember a few other adaptations, esp of Lady Chatterley"s Lover, but they don't stand out. The cast in Women in Love were all good, Reed and Bates, were fine, it's the direction and writing which failed them. Oh yes, the nude wrestling scene was sexy. I'll give him that. Sex is the best thing Russell did, which is a compliment and not a compliment :)))
Did you forget about Meryl Streep? And if you did not consider Hepburn and McDormand because they won more than two Oscars, why include Ingrid Bergman when she also won three Oscars?
Everyone talks about Marlon in Streetcar, but it's Vivien you watch whenever she's on the screen regardless of who's with her...still, gotta go with GWTW...would not be the great movie it is with any other actress...Jezebel for Bette, Dangerous was a consolation prize for not winning the previous year.
Here are my picks that I feel are appropriate for deserving wins: 1) Bette "The Volcano" Davis - Jezebel (1938) for her dominant role from a spoiled and deceitful belle to a redeemed and noble heroine. 2) Luise Rainer - The Good Earth (1937) It's one of my top five favorite female performances of the 1930s. She was somewhat pretentious in The Great Ziegfeld (1936), but her role as O-Lan was undeniably brilliant and heartfelt and carried the 1937 film with integrity and tenderness. 3) Vivian Leigh - She was mind-blowing in A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), but for anyone to admit that her performance gem in Gone with the Wind (1939) is secondary should be horsewhipped. 4) Ingrid Bergman - I can't explain why, but I never enjoyed her film performances. She was just a pretty face, but I can't take her seriously as an actress. 5) Olivia DeHavilland - The Heiress (1949) For her gutsy transformation from a shy and timid lady to a willful and vengeful woman scorned by her father and deceitful beau. 6) Elizabeth Taylor - She was a mediocre actress with a beautiful face and not convincing in Butterfield 8 (1960) (And we all know why she received her first Oscar.) But I find her spiteful and loathsome performance in Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf memorable. (1966) So much that Liz reached the fullest of her impulsive powers playing Martha. 7) Glenda Jackson - Too, too heavy for my taste in female acting. Her husky and mannish demeanors made the difference that I find her performances unfavorable, yet she was exhilarating in Elizabeth R, playing the role of Queen Elizabeth 1 in 1971. Of the seven Oscar winners, it's a tie between Luise Rainer (The Good Earth) and Vivian Leigh (Gone with the Wind). Their performances speak volumes both professionally and esteem credibility with mesmerizing results.
Anastasia was easily the best or most deserving of Ingrid Bergman's three Academy Awards. I found that Ingrid's performance in Gaslight was just average, nothing to write home about. Ingrid's costar in Gaslight, Charles Boyer as her tormentor gave a better performance than she did.
Thank you. 1. Louise Rainer lived until she was 104 in 2014. A German American would never be selected to be the star of the China set Good Earth, today.
As a testiment to William Wyler's direction of Davis in "Jezebel," he succeeded in getting a stellar performance minus the usual mannerisms. She loved him too for his keen skill in directing.
Luise Rainer's two Oscars and Glenda Jackson's Oscar for "A Touch of Class" are mysteries I'll never understand; none of them was remotely deserved. (I don't begrudge Jackson her Oscar for "Women in Love," but it's somewhat of a mystery to me, too.) I prefer Ingrid Bergman in "Gaslight," mostly because the movie is far superior to "Anastasia." In my opinion, Vivien Leigh's two Oscars were both for stunning performances that will endure as all-time classics.
Leigh's two victories were admittedly the most difficult to choose a favorite. I never "got" Rainer either. And I thought Jackson was Jackson in "Women in Love."
