Let's Discuss the 1951 Best Actress Oscar Race aka Was Bette Davis Robbed?

I've finally watch all of the performances nominated for Best Actress at the 1951 Oscars. All About Eve, Sunset Blvd, Caged, and Born Yesterday. So, I'd like to share my thoughts and opinions about the race, and consider who I would have voted for in this tough race for the Academy Award for Best Actress in 1951.

[@Tomfrost1997]

I thought Bette extraordinary in All About Eve but Norma was unreal in Sunset Boulevard sorry I go with Swanson although Bette is my favorite actress. I thought Bette should’ve won for The Little Foxes, wonderful wonderful wonderful‼️✨‼️✨

[@HamishDownie]

Yes, I think The Little Foxes was her greatest performance in a film. interestingly, my poll in the community tab is neck and neck - 50% for Bette and 50% for Gloria. I recently rewatched both films as I was planning a discussion with a film journalist (who had to cancel). I think Gloria Swanson’s performance is more nuanced than I had given it credit for, so you a probably right that Gloria should have won for Sunset.

[@cruzvaldes5922]

Agreed they just got the years wrong, Joan Fontaine should have won for Rebecca instead, Gloria definitely for sunset blvd still one of the greatest films ever made, and Swanson should have won the inaugural Oscar over Janet gaynor

[@HamishDownie]

This is the second person who's mentioned the inaugural Oscars with Swanson losing to Gaynor. I've almost finished watching "Sadie Thompson" and I have a copy of "Sunrise", so I may be on my way to making another video.

[@johnfraley8544]

You got the Academy rules slightly wrong. Nominations are from their branch (actors nominate actors, directors nominate directors, etc.) But everyone votes for the nominees to determine the winner.

[@HamishDownie]

You are absolutely right

[@fitnessfreak7851]

I’ve been torn on this race. I think Judy Holiday’s performance was very good and warrants the Oscar nomination. Keep in mind, comedy is (in my opinion) just as hard as dramatic. It’s very difficult to make people laugh and when you can make people laugh and leave an impact on an audience; you’re doing your job well. Bette Davis and Gloria Swanson gave performances that are not only the best in 1950, but iconic in movie history. Both made comebacks that were unheard of and fully believe one of them rightfully deserved the award. As for the other two actresses, Anne Baxter and Elenor Parker, I feel both gave memorable performances and among their most remembered performances of their careers, but they just can’t compete with the performances of Swanson and Davis.

[@HamishDownie]

Thank you for your reply! Gloria Swanson and Bette Davis (and Judy Holliday) all had iconic roles (in their careers and for film as a whole). Whereas Ann Baxter’s most iconic role was arguably in “The Ten Commandments”, and Elenor Parker’s was in “The Sound of Music”. I still think “All About Eve” should have gotten an Oscar for Best Ensemble. So, by that logic, we can agree with Joan Crawford in “Feud” and say that Swanson was robbed. Thanks again!

[@anthonyanderson2405]

Judy Holliday’s maintained the same accent through out Born Yesterday and 74 years later it is extremely unpleasant to listen to.

[@HamishDownie]

Not to mention over 1000 performances on Broadway. It didn’t bother me as I’d watched seven seasons of The Nanny, plus I’d already seen “It Should Happen to You”. I saw it as a sitcom Lucille Ball voice. I was surprised it didn’t change that much when there was a short scene of speech training that was very My Fair Lady.

[@anthonyanderson2405]

@@HamishDownie The character of Billie Dawn grows in the course of the film but her screeching voice remains the same. I find Holliday more appealing as an actress in such films as Bells Are Ringing and The Solid Gold Cadillac.

[@HamishDownie]

I’ll put them on my list to watch!

[@khongmaithikhog5624]

​@@HamishDownie😮 comedy prevailed at a time 1950

[@HamishDownie]

Personally, I do think that there should be a seperate category for comedy

[@lray1948]

Davis's wins were for Jezebel and Dangerous-- not Deception.

[@HamishDownie]

Thank you. I didn't realise that I said Deception!

[@FritzandtheOscars]

My ranking: 1. Judy 2. Bette 3. Gloria 4. Eleanor 5. Anne

[@HamishDownie]

Hi! Thanks for commenting! I've watched some of your videos. It's fair enough to give the Oscar to Judy Holliday, it was a year of so many iconic performances. Each nominee gave us the performance of a lifetime

[@FritzandtheOscars]

@@HamishDownie Totally! I am not the biggest fan of Anne Baxter but all other 4 would be incredibly deserving in any year

[@HamishDownie]

I've only seen her in a few films, but I have to say that I have enjoyed her each time. But, film is very subjective and there's nothing wrong with having a different opinion. For example, I have a strong dislike of Timothy Chalamet for no objective reason.

[@FritzandtheOscars]

@@HamishDownie Oh totally, there is nothing as subjective as art. I mean, my reviews are just my personal opinion, they are not the ultimate truth. Everyone reacts differently to a performance 😀

[@HamishDownie]

@FritzandtheOscars at the end of the day, it's all opinions. As long as we can help these wonderful films and actors not to be forgotten, that's our job done.

[@arnesahlen2704]

Sorry to say, you are hard to follow. I recommend developing an actual script, then speaking with purpose and direction with fewer random pauses and "you know" interjections.

[@HamishDownie]

Interestingly, when I used a script, I was criticised for sounding like I was "reading". Thank you for your feedback

[@khongmaithikhog5624]

😮 Judy won fair and square. Comedic tourdeforce 🎉

[@HamishDownie]

It’s an iconic performance for sure

[@DarkAngel459]

I love Bette in 'All About Eve,' but I would have given the Oscar to Gloria; she makes you sympathize with Norma although she's an awful person.

[@HamishDownie]

That is very true. Similar to what Tim Curry did in “Rocky Horror Picture Show”. It was a year of iconic performances making for a very difficult category. I really think “Eve” should have been awarded a special Oscar for best ensemble

[@DarkAngel459]

@@HamishDownie 'All About Eve' would definitely have won the 'Best Emsemble' Award if the SAG Awards had existed then.

[@HamishDownie]

They are adding a technical award for Best casting, so that’s kind of the same as best ensemble

[@rabrab3]

There was only one winner. Bette Davis!! The other performers were great.....but, this was Bette playing Bette.

[@HamishDownie]

It is arguably her most iconic role, which is interesting considering she was a last minute replacement for Claudette Colbert, and Tallulah Bankhead thought it was a parody of her. It really was one of the tightest races in Oscar history