Matt vs. the Academy

Last chance to vote on the next group of Best Picture nominees to which Matt vs. the Academy will direct its focus. It's currently a dead heat, so somebody could theoretically decide the fate of this blog's next couple of weeks with one vote. The poll is over to the right. Today, I rounded out the 1937 Best Picture race by taking a look at the last of the nominees... Captains Courageous Director : Victor Fleming Screenplay : John Lee Mahin, Marc Connelly and Dale Van Every (based on the novel by Rudyard Kipling) Starring : Freddie Bartholomew, Spencer Tracy, Lionel Barrymore, Melvyn Douglas, Charley Grapewin, Mickey Rooney, John Carradine Academy Awards : 4 nominations 1 win, for Best Actor (Tracy) Based on popular British author Rudyard Kipling's 19th century novel, Captains Courageous is the coming of age story of Harvey (Bartholomew), the spoiled, arrogant son of wealthy businessman Frank Cheyne (Douglas). With a deceased mother and a father who has little time for him, ...

As an actor, it is helpful to understand where the industry sees you. As much as we don't like to be typecast, it is a necessary evil in order for casting directors and agents to know which roles to call you in for. But sometimes, it still comes as a surprise when you see the other actors in the waiting room who are up for the same role. Yesterday, as I waited to audition for a national yogurt ad, I sat across the room from Joey Slotnick (pictured). It's becoming clearer now exactly what my type is. Next on the 1937 review list is Best Picture nominee... The Awful Truth Director : Leo McCarey Screenplay : Viña Delmar (based on the play by Arthur Richman) Starring : Irene Dunne, Cary Grant, Ralph Bellamy, Alexander D'Arcy, Cecil Cunningham, Molly Lamont Academy Awards : 6 nominations 1 win, for Best Director A classic screwball comedy, The Awful Truth pits husband and wife, Jerry and Lucy Warriner (Grant & Dunne), against each other. It's that age-old battle that is...

There is an odd phenomenon that occurs in the vast expanse that is the Times Square subway station. Inside, there is a small electronics store. If that weren't inexplicable enough, the store has a few television displays in its window, one of which appears to be stuck on a channel that only plays footage of boxing matches. But wait, I'm still not at the odd part yet. Every time, and I mean every time, that I walk past this store, there are a handful of men simply standing motionless, eyes transfixed on the bout. Sometimes, it's about half a dozen onlookers. Sometimes, it's more. I can't figure it out. What is the fascination? Do they know the sports schedule so well that they time their commute to be at Times Square at the opportune moment? Or are they merely not in any kind of rush to get to their destination that they are easily distracted by sweaty men pounding the crap out of each other? Whatever it is, they all seem completely hypnotised. Just like the man gaz...

The poll to decide the next awards year to explore in Matt vs. the Academy is our closest one yet. Still a little time to have your say, so shift your eyes to the right and down a little bit and get clicking. Meanwhile, let's take a look at another fine piece of cinema from 1937's list of Best Picture nominees... In Old Chicago Director : Henry King Screenplay : Lamar Trotti and Sonya Levien (based on a story by Niven Busch) Starring : Tyrone Power, Alice Faye, Don Ameche, Alice Brady, Andy Devine Academy Awards : 6 nominations 2 wins, including Best Supporting Actress (Brady) Iron-willed matriarch Mrs. O'Leary (Brady) has raised three boys after her husband was tragically killed on their way to settle in Chicago. Now, the two eldest sons have taken starkly different career paths. Jack (Ameche) is an overly honest lawyer, poised to be the next Mayor. Dion (Power), on the other hand, has used his entrepreneurial skills to make a name for himself in Chicago's sordid club ...

The sun is out in New York City as it has been for the last couple of days. The chill in the air seems to have subsided and our old friend warmth has returned. One suspects this is the coming of spring and I speak on behalf of most Australians who live in colder climes when I say, "About bloody time!" While I am looking forward to not needing a heavy coat, scarf and gloves every time I walk outside, for some reason, all I can think of is this . Today, instead of enjoying the sun, I continued my hermit ways by watching another nominee from the Best Picture contest of 1937... Dead End Director : William Wyler Screenplay : Lillian Hellman (based on the play by Sidney Kingsley) Starring : Sylvia Sidney, Joel McCrea, Humphrey Bogart, Wendy Barrie, Claire Trevor Academy Awards : 4 nominations 0 wins The dead end of the title literally refers to the cul-de-sac on the East Side of New York City where all of the film's action takes place. Metaphorically, the dead end is representa...