tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post800065780972636438..comments2023-11-19T04:43:33.827+11:00Comments on Matt vs. the Academy: 1940 - Our TownMatt Fosterhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comBlogger4125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-16296529197231323432010-08-27T10:48:10.012+10:002010-08-27T10:48:10.012+10:00Our Town was the first film I watched from the 194...Our Town was the first film I watched from the 1940 group, and I've seen 46 movies since, so I had to refer to my notes :) I had seen it once before a very long time ago, so this was almost a first time viewing. It is pleasant enough, with a classic Americana story. The narrative structure and unusual third act to me make it most interesting. I'm not sure I'd include it with the other nine nominees especially considering a few noteworthy releases from 1940 not nominated.<br /><br />That said, Martha Scott did a very nice job. Her later career would be most remembered for her two films where she played Charlton Heston's mother: The Ten Commandments and Ben Hur. William Holden on the other hand came off too shy and awkward for his jock character. It would take him ten years to hone his acting persona, and his output in the 50s any beyond was exceptional. Good supporting cast, with the ubiquitous Thomas Mitchell appearing once again.<br /><br />I think a great double feature would be Our Town and Dogville - the dark side of small town America. With its stage sets, sex and violence, this story of a depression era town that is first wary, then embracing and finally criminally cruel to a stranger that seeks shelter is a great contrast to Our Town, although as you pointed out Matt, the cheeriness of Our Town was to some extent a facade.<br /><br />As for my opinion of the Best Actress race I'd vote for Joan Fontaine with Katherine Hepburn a close second.Mike Kellyhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/14953461679716236054noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-4919331843181995792010-08-27T07:54:18.449+10:002010-08-27T07:54:18.449+10:00Congratulations on your first year!
I didn't c...Congratulations on your first year!<br />I didn't care so much for this movie, but it was nice to see once and the cast was great. Like you, I would put Scott at the bottom but Fontaine is my clear winner!Fritzhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/03291268052797806635noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-43763750514544321222010-08-26T11:34:17.472+10:002010-08-26T11:34:17.472+10:00Hmm, that's a toughie. They were all good perf...Hmm, that's a toughie. They were all good performances. I guess I'd put Scott and Fontaine at the bottom, if only because their characters are relatively meek and therefore, the actresses don't get to show off as much. Then Davis in third place - hard to fault such a great performance. Then Hepburn in second place - another brilliant and intelligent portrayal from her. Which leaves Rogers taking my top spot, just like the Academy - probably helped by the fact that I was not too familiar with her work, other than the dancing, of course. She surprised me with her natural portrayal.Matt Fosterhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/10317583098531787395noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5569750317755310322.post-43031955833238088082010-08-26T11:14:47.994+10:002010-08-26T11:14:47.994+10:00I suppose this will rank near the bottom of your r...I suppose this will rank near the bottom of your ranking, no one likes it that much at all. Since you've now seen/review all of films of the Best Actress nominees, how would you rank them?joe burnshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01987519630654592530noreply@blogger.com