Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1950: Results

5. Louis Calhern in The Asphalt Jungle- I hate to put Calhern fifth as I really liked everyone in this line up. Calhern gives an effective performance bringing a nice complexity to his role as an amoral lawyer.

Best Scene: Emmerich tries to double cross the Doc.

4. Alastair Sim in Stage Fright-Sim gives an entertaining performance that up shows the entire film around him.

Best Scene: Eve Gill brings Johnathan to Commodore Gill's home.

3. Takashi Shimura in Rashomon- Shimura performance gives an interesting and moving performance as a seemingly moralistic woodcutter who might be hiding something himself.

Best Scene: The woodcutter is called out by the commoner.

2. Richard Attenborough in Morning Departure- Richard Attenborough gives a very strong turn being appropriately intense as a man who goes to extremes due to fear, but as well quite tender as the very same man who finds courage within himself.

Best Scene: The remaining crew play a game of cards.

1. Masayuki Mori in Rashomon- Good Prediction Psifonian feel free to name another year and performance to go with it. Mori gives an incredible performance giving four different perceptions of the same doomed man. He is able to be chilling then heartbreaking, brave then cowardly, and his reserved style here perfectly in creating a very memorable dynamic with Toshiro Mifune's flamboyant turn. I will keep Sanders as the winner for the moment but I will say he is on thin ice. I will have to get around to watching All About Eve again as that will make or break his placement over Mori.

Best Scene: The samurai tells his version of the story.

Overall Rank:

1. George Sanders in All About Eve
2. Masayuki Mori in Rashomon
3. Sam Jaffe in The Asphalt Jungle
4. Richard Attenborough in Morning Departure
5. Takashi Shimura in Rashomon
6. Alastair Sim in Stage Fright
7. Louis Calhern in The Asphalt Jungle
8. Minoru Chiaki in Rashomon
9. Sessue Hayakawa in Three Came Home
10. Luis Van Rooten in Cinderella 
11. James Whitmore in The Asphalt Jungle
12. Erich von Stroheim in Sunset Blvd.
13. Kichijiro Ueda in Rashomon
14. George Cole in Morning Departure
15. Cecil B. DeMille in Sunset Blvd. 
16. Michael Brennan in Morning Departure
17. Marc Lawrence in The Asphalt Jungle
18. Nigel Patrick in Morning Departure
19. Jack Webb in The Men 
20. Everett Sloane in The Men
21. Edmund Gwenn in Mister 880
22. Richard Erdman in The Men
23. Stephen McNally in Winchester '73
24. Millard Mitchell in The Gunfighter
25. Jack Palance in Panic in the Streets
26. Cecil Kellaway in Harvey 
27. John McIntire in Winchester 73'
28. Anthony Caruso in The Asphalt Jungle
29. Miles Malleson in Stage Fright
30. Jack Hawkins in Morning Departure
31. Zero Mostel in Panic in the Streets
32. Stephen McNally in No Way Out
33. Brad Dexter in The Asphalt Jungle
34. Wallace Ford in Harvey
35. Karl Malden in The Gunfighter
36. Barry Kelley in The Asphalt Jungle
37. Will Geer in Winchester '73
38. Paul Douglas in Panic in The Streets
39. Millard Mitchell in Winchester '73
40. Luther Adler in D.O.A
41. Michael Wilding in Stage Fright
42. Patric Knowles in Three Came Home
43. Jeff Chandler in Broken Arrow 
44. William Prince in Cyrano de Bergerac
45. Hugh Marlowe in All About Eve
46. Charles Drake in Harvey
47. Skip Homeier in The Gunfighter
48. Gary Merrill in All About Eve
49. Charles Drake in Winchester '73
50. John McIntire in The Asphalt Jungle
51. Neville Brand in D.O.A.
52. Gregory Ratoff in All About Eve

Next Year: 1966 lead

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Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1950: Alastair Sim in Stage Fright

Alastair Sim did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Commodore Gill in Stage Fright.

Stage Fright is most certainly lesser Hitchcock but it still is an enjoyable enough thriller about an inspiring actress Eve (Jane Wyman) who wants to try to prove the innocence of her friend Johnathan (Richard Todd) who is accused of murdering the husband of a famous entertainer Charlotte Inwood (Marlene Dietrich).

Alastair Sim plays Eve's father who she first takes the despondent Johnathan to so he can hideout and avoid being arrested. Sim is just a delight in the role of Commodore Gill who takes on the mystery with his daughter. Sim's performance has a natural low key charm here that really adds a great deal to the early scenes of the film. Sim has Gill play a little game almost as he takes part in the mystery as well as suspects what his daughter's exact reasons are for trying to help the man out. Sim sets the tone for his part quite effectively by mixing in a bit of concern for his daughter, interest in the events, and even a bit of bemusement at the strangeness of the mystery. Sim doesn't let one emotion overwhelm the character bringing a nice balance to the part.

Honestly the early scenes in this film could have been completely lifeless if it were not for Sim's presence who is immensely likable in the role, and quite able at lightening things up a bit while still keeping the dramatic weight of the situation perfectly intact. Sim really doesn't even have funny lines at his disposal but rather is able just to bring a certain humor often just through his facial expressions as he goes through the exploration of the mystery with Wyman. Even though he is actually the supporting character I found myself far more interested in the scenes where Sim investigates then the ones where Wyman's does as Sim is able to find that tone found in the best Hitchcock films where we are allowed to have fun with the investigation even though it is technically a serious situation.

Not all scenes with Gill are his investigations into the central murder mystery and sometimes he stands as a background player in several scenes. These scenes still belong to Sim livening each of them in the traditional scene stealer style. Sim in every moment just adds a jolt of energy through his various reactions during the scenes with just the right type of flamboyance to it. Sim never goes over the top in his portrayal of Gill's behavior who is trying to help his daughter but also is clearly having a good time playing around with lies they are trying to pull off. Sim gets the most out of each of these scenes taking them for himself without any question and making them far more entertaining simply due to his enthusiastic though enjoyably dry presence. 

Alastair Sim is not able to make this essential Hitchcock by any means, but he does make far more worthwhile than it would have been without his very entertaining performance. Sim's work is a great example of an actor making the most out of a role even if it is fairly limited in nature. Sim takes what could have just blended in the fairly unexceptional background of the film but he stands out in the a memorable fashion leaving Commodore Gill as the best character of the film. I only wish that the film actually had been reworked to include even more of Sim as he acts as the Michael Redgrave in the Lady Vanishes, or Robert Donat in 39 Steps of this film bringing that comic relief needed without ever forgetting to keep the necessary emotional weight to the proceedings as well.

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Alternate Best Supporting Actor 1950

And the Nominees Were Not:

Masayuki Mori in Rashomon

Takashi Shimura in Rashomon

Louis Calhern in The Asphalt Jungle

Alastair Sim in Stage Fright

Richard Attenborough in Morning Departure

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Alternate Best Actor 1951: Results

5. Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train- Granger gives a good performance that is likable well never avoiding the weaker aspects of the character. The film belongs to his co-star though.

Best Scene: Guy meets Bruno. 

4. James Mason in the Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel- Mason gives a strong assured performance despite being in a somewhat thankless role.

Best Scene: Rommel gives his final goodbye to his family.

3. Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole- Douglas gives a slick and sharp performance that succeeds in portraying both his character's immorality and the eventual conscience he gains.

Best Scene: Chuck finally gains morality. 

2. Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train- Walker gives an amazing villianous turn in this film that is both chilling and a delight to watch.

Best Scene: Bruno stalks Guy's wife. 

1. Alastair Sim in Scrooge- Good Prediction Koook160, and Michael Patison. Sim gives a great performance as the often played Ebenezer Scrooge. He succeeds in every aspect of the role from the cold business man through his transformation than finally an exuberant man who has found a new lease on life. This really is just a matter of having to put someone in first place at the moment. I am not one hundred percent sure of this decision, as each time I think of Walker's performance I feel like I should give him the win. Although this is hardly my final decision the win goes to Sim for the moment.

Best Scene: Scrooge takes up his Nephew's invitation after all. 

Overall Rank:

1. Alastair Sim in Scrooge
2. Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train
3. Montgomery Clift in A Place in The Sun
4. Alec Guinness in The Lavender Hill Mob
5. Marlon Brando in A Streetcar Named Desire
6. Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole
7. James Mason in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel
8. Alec Guinness in The Man in the White Suit
9. Kirk Douglas in Detective Story
10. James Mason in Pandora and the Flying Dutchman
11. Arthur Kennedy in Bright Victory
12. Masayuki Mori in The Idiot
13. Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train
14. Humphrey Bogart in The Enforcer
15. James Cagney in Come Fill The Cup
16. Cary Grant in People Will Talk
17. Humphrey Bogart in The African Queen
18. Gene Kelly in An American in Paris
19. Fredric March in Death of a Salesman
20. Robert Taylor in Quo Vadis

Next Year: 1951 Supporting

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Alternate Best Actor 1951: Alastair Sim in Scrooge

Alastair Sim did not receive an Oscar nomination for portraying Ebenezer Scrooge in Scrooge also known as A Christmas Carol.

The Christmas Carol is a story that has been adapted many times to various degrees of success. I find the best version is easily this one that makes use of a great score, an excellent screenplay that actually adds all new material to the story, and of course its lead performance which is essential to the success of every version.

Ebenezer Scrooge is a character who is that of three acts each which must be played convincingly to succeed in the part. In the beginning Scrooge starts out as a greedy miser who over works and underpays his employee Bob Cratchit. This is the point where some actors like Sim's predecessor Reginald Owen fail miserably in the part by making Scrooge a constantly angry, almost deranged in his attitude. It is hard to believe that Scrooge would have been able to build a business even as this angry old man, who just seems like he needs to relax more than anything else. Alastair Sim is far more effective by showing Scrooge as a man perfectly relaxed in his state.

Sim portrays the cold calculation in this business man there is a simple bluntness he brings to the part that reflects Scrooge's view of the world. Sim is calm in his depiction and it makes Scrooge's greed, and general hatred and disbelief in Christmas. Sim's method here is perfect in making Scrooge's reasoning on things like the poor far more believable. He is not an angry about other people cheerfulness instead he is somewhat bemused and disgusted by it. When the two men ask for money for the poor Sim plays it as Scrooge is almsot partially enjoying what he sees as foolishness, and only when pressed does he openly announce his distaste for their ideas which Sim still properly underplays.

Sim doesn't make Scrooge a man angry at everyone and everything for no reason, and almost some sort of otherworldly creature with his bizarre anger as some lesser Scrooges seem to make him. Sim instead makes this the most humane Scrooge in that Sim portrays him as a man who once perhaps had humanity but it has left him due to the events of his life. Sim's Scrooge is not disgusted by those who claim to be happy for no reason, but he honestly finds their feelings intolerable. Sim's demeanor could not be better because he is absolutely genuine in portraying these beliefs. His Scrooge doesn't believe in their happiness, and Scrooge here properly sets up the history we later learn about Scrooge.

Scrooge really is an odd man to have as the protagonist of a story as he is suppose to be unlikable. Some version certainly due take this approach a little too directly and are rather boring because of it. Sim on the other hand certainly plays up the nastiness to just the right degree, but he does it with a certain amount of humor in his portrayal. He never overplays it for a moment the offering it mainly in that bemusement shown in Scrooge's reactions to others, and Sim in a way almost urges us to laugh with Scrooge and most certainly not against him. He also is an all together charismatic performer who is just entertaining to watch all by himself making it easy for us to follow him through his journey.

Scrooge finds when he returns home this night that he there is something odd going on and his old business partner Jacob Marley comes as a ghost to tell him to change his ways. Sim is terrific in this scene because of the fact he plays Scrooge as a man with very real fears. Sim never loses this and is incredible in his portrayal of the scene where he talks to Marley. The reason is even when Scrooge claims to doubt his senses in an attempt to try to laugh it off Sim always shows the very real fear Ebenezer is feeling even while he tries his best to pretend the apparition is not real. Sim never loses this fear instead building until he does what most people would do in that situation, run and hide under some covers, making the scene far more believable than any other version of the story.

Scrooge is told by Marley that he will be visited by three ghosts starting with the Ghost of Christmas Past who shows Scrooge his past. Sim does very well by taking a realistic approach, and importantly reflects just how much seeing his past does affect him. One particularly powerful example of this is when he sees his deceased sister again, many other actors who have portray the scene far too matter of fact fashion, Sim though shows the full emotional impact that seeing his sister again really does have on him. He makes it a moving moment by portraying the sadness in reflecting on his past that he has since lost, but at the very same time the happiness of being able to live over the better moments of his life once again.

Sim depiction of the middle part of Scrooge is journey is excellent because he goes about the transformation in an effective fashion. Alastair Sim is quite good because he able to indicate that what Scrooge is seeing does make him lose that coldness of before rather quickly, but at the same time he eases into the full transformation properly. Sim does this throughout every scene through his moving reactions to the various events he witnesses from his past, and later the present and the future. Sim's portrayal has a great deal of self reflection in his performance that suggests his movement away from the Scrooge from the beginning.

One particular moment that Sim does well is when Scrooge is celebrating along with his younger self at the Christmas part of his former employee. Scrooge remarks about the joy his old boss brought to everyone so well, and Sim is terrific as he quietly shows Scrooge reflect on his own actions at the same time indicating his movement toward changing. Sim importantly earns the transition in Scrooge particularly well as there is some hesitation. He really does not make it hesitation to be the same as he was, but instead a sadness that causes this hesitation which leaves him believing he is just too old to change and makes any difference.

Sim is terrific in every scene of this film and through each of the observances Scrooge is forced to make gets the most out of each situation. In every moment of the story Sim adds a poignancy, and emotional strength to each through his sincere presence. He builds up the weight of each scene and makes the journey that Scrooge goes through a moving one that it should be. Honestly it would be easy to either leave their scenes on their own or allow Scrooge to be somewhat forgotten in face of them, but Sim never lets that happen. He always succeeds in bringing the power each scene deserves, and never forgets to show exactly how all of what he sees moves him toward being a changed man.

Sim's performance successfully brings Scrooge through the cold beginnings, through the transition period, but his best scenes come at the end of the film when Scrooge has finally fully changed. Sim is terrific in this scene because he doesn't show any hesitation here, he makes Scrooge a man who really has been given a second chance. He is incredibly enthusiastic in his performance, and he makes Scrooge a man who is genuinely happy to be allowed this chance to honestly redeem himself. Sim makes this the beautiful revelation in this man it should be. Sim  makes it a truly joyous moment for Scrooge as he finally sees that he has been blind for so long.

This is a great performance by Alastair Sim that gets every part of his depiction right. He is the perfectly cold calculated greedy man, the man who is broken open by his past, present and future, and the entirely reformed good man at the end. Sim properly connects every part of this path and none of it seems rushed or ineffectual. He handles the transformation brilliantly to bring the proper power to the story of Scrooge. There are many adaptations of this story by this version is easily the best due to Alastair Sim's outstanding central performance that propels the story forward in a wonderful fashion. He makes the story one that can be believed through his portrayal of Ebenezer Scrooge who he makes into a complex compelling character.

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Alternate Best Actor 1951

And the Nominees Were Not:

Kirk Douglas in Ace in the Hole

James Mason in The Desert Fox: The Story of Rommel 

Alastair Sim in Scrooge

Robert Walker in Strangers on a Train

Farley Granger in Strangers on a Train

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