Maggie Smith winning Best Actress

Maggie Smith winning the Oscar® for Best Actress for her performance in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie" at the 42nd Academy Awards® in 1970. Presented by Cliff Robertson and accepted by Alice Ghostley.

[@skipeastport5529]

For all those confused, Alice Ghostley was a friend of Maggie and accepted the award on her behalf, which should have been explained by an announcer that night. Maggie wasn’t in attendance because she and husband Robert Stephens were appearing under contract in "Beaux Stratagem" at the National Theatre in London. Maggie flew to NY for one day in April to present a special Tony award to Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne. Lauren Bacall presented Maggie with the Oscar at the Tony ceremony.

[@robertorourke2358]

In 1963, Joan Crawford accepted Anne Bancroft's Oscar. In 1967, Anne Bancroft accepted Elizabeth Taylor's Oscar.

[@brontewcat]

Thank you for explaining.

[@danjones5161]

Alice Ghostly had lots of good friends in Hollywood.

[@stardaddyo9]

Mrs Kravitz shows up and saves the day.

[@donnalthood3102]

@@stardaddyo9 Mrs. Kravitz? Nope! That is Esmeralda!

[@michaelgiffey5108]

One of the finest Best Actress performances ever. People were surprised at the win as the picture was released very early in 1969 and many people felt it was forgotten by Oscar time. But as Shirley MacLean said at the time "they voted for talent".

[@randyking3057]

Maggie Smith should have won the Oscar for her spot on performance as Alice Ghostley that night

[@jamesmajor3892]

😂

[@steveb1164]

LOL

[@brendanmulligan725]

I wish Maggie smith was present at the oscars

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

Me too.

[@dobazajr]

She was at the Broadway I think at that time.

[@535657]

@@dobazajr It was the opening night at the Old Vic in London of her performing in the play "The Beaux' Stratagem".

[@lazarelazaro52]

She graces theatre awards galas, not film ones...

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

A performance never to be forgotten

[@renegaderunner332]

INDEED!

[@robertmatheus8004]

Brodie is one such a complex character and Maggie portrays her flawlessly.

[@raymondmaxwell9072]

It was a brilliant performance and so many memorable lines from one of the greatest films ever made.

[@arthurwarnock8516]

Love Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie! “Chrysanthemums such serviceable flowers”! She’s amazing!

[@MMusicTime]

This is not Maggie Smith, She is just representing Maggie for taking the award

[@rgrndu]

DaisyMcLee You have an amazing grasp of the obvious.

[@laurathompson4458]

megacultureman or my all time fav..... Designing Women! I still Due love her in Bewitched

[@RenanCMaia]

Really??? 😂

[@vintage1520]

we aren't deaf or blind

[@sann5146]

Honestly they should've said so. In other years when someone else accepted on the winner's behalf the announcer specifically stated who it was 🤷

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

This movie is when I first fell in love with Maggie Smith. The performance is so vibrant, so devious, so touching, so warm, so cunning. So everything. That was the complexity of Miss Jean Brodie. Her slide show scene is unforgettable. It's surprising to see how many posts mention Genevieve Bujold as the preferred winner. I loved her Anne Boleyn, but at the time she was not favored. Jane Fonda and Liza Minnelli both were highly acclaimed for their respective films. But Maggie's reception was virtually unanimous. She earned the honor.

[@loveanimals6981]

Bujold won the Golden Globe for Anne, so I would say she was far from being the darkhorse (that most likely would have been Simmons). I think she for sure would have been a strong contender here.

[@independentfilmchannel1476]

Jane Fonda had won the New York Film Critics Award for her superb work in They Shoot Horses so many observers thought she would win. (Nobody said anything about Ms Bujold being a "dark horse.") Jean Simmons' striking performance in The Happy Ending is not as well remembered as the other four but is one of her best.

[@mmalmec]

Is only me who thinks that Cliff Robetson is hot?

[@missisfreddiemercury]

+mmalmec not only you :-)

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

+mmalmec No it's not just you. In his day Cliff Robertson was one of the HOTTEST guys out there. It's just back in those days they did not 'make over a guy like they would a woman. Guys did not have all that sex appeal. Ha Ha Ha Things have certainly changed haven't they!

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

No it is not only you.

[@JSOMERSETJSOMERSET]

Joan Crawford certainly did she made him give a bedroom audition for autumn leaves

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

Ya, he was the hottest of the lot, but back then they didn't make as much out of a handsome man like they do today.

[@richardwilliams4691]

For the record, this is my ex neighbor Alice Ghostley....A magnificent comedic actress..RIP

[@stumack9755]

did Ezmerelda do any witchcraft on u?

[@FelixLRodriguez]

What are the odds we would both see and notice this withing 48 hours of each other? I knew that was Alice Ghostley (a great actress, herself) just from the face and the voice. I would have killed to live next to her. Bernice on "Designing Women" is one of the best characters of all time. Oh! As others have mentioned, Cliff was HOT, too.

[@steveprice2718]

Yes, she was a hoot, for sure!

[@jwelch5742]

Maggie Smith had great acting on The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.

[@7elneno]

The nominees look so EXCITED OMG

[@steveprice2718]

Liza's mother Judy Garland had passed not long before this. Jane Fonda was pissed at the world Genevieve was the only one who held an expression.

[@johnfd0210]

@@steveprice2718 I laughed at your Jane Fonda comment, although it is true. I think she has mellowed (a little) over the years. Also, have to say she was excellent in "Horses".

[@graphiquejack]

@@johnfd0210 yes, and Genevieve was magnificent as Anne Boleyn

[@oscarlover100]

One of the greatest winners ever and one of the best performances ever!!!!!

[@rahulvinalnarayan9743]

Maggie earned that Oscar. She was outstanding in the film!!!!

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

Oh come on Esmeralda!! You could have at least started your speech with _It is with great honour I kindly accept this award on behalf of the talented Maggie Smith..._

[@ddivincenzo1194]

Esmeralda goofed again.

[@djmotise]

Agreed. It is one of Oscar's dumbest moments. And she got the director wrong.

[@ricardobigi5476]

One of the greatest actresses in the world. She can do just about anything and be wonderful. THE PRIME OF MISS JEAN BRODIE made Maggie Smith more widely known to film audiences, although she had already stolen THE VIPs from Elizabeth Taylor a few years previously, and been a great Desdemona to Olivier's Othello. To theater audiences, she was already known and respected for well over a decade. Her performance in JEAN BRODIE is absolutely stunning, a tour-de-force. That year, the only performance that approched hers was Jean Simmons' in THE HAPPY ENDING. I remember being disappointed for Simmons, but was awed by Smith when I finally saw her film.

[@bman560]

I agree . In the VIP's, she steals the movie. The last scene with her and Burton is priceless. it makes watching the previous 2.5 at times tedious hours worthwhile.

[@mmjhcb]

SHE is an actress. She shows how it's done. No pretense, no calling attention to HOW she's doing it, just plain doing it. Every time. She is one of the greats.

[@rgrndu]

Ricardo Bigi She was great in Evil Under the Sun.

[@graphiquejack]

Genevieve Bujold was fantastic as Anne Boleyn, but I think the film wasn't critically acclaimed at the time. She carries the film, honestly, and out-acts Richard Burton.

[@michaelverbakel7632]

If you want to know how great an actress Maggie Smith is watch her performance in the 1987 film ' The Lonely Passion of Judith Hearne'. It is superior to both of her Oscar winning performances yet she wasn't even nominated. She should easily have won a 3rd Oscar for that role. It is a greater performance than any of the five women nominated that year and especially better than Cher's Oscar winning role in Moonstruck.

[@gregherried5189]

This was the first year that I ever watched The Academy Awards when I was 12 and I remember that Maggie Smith was not present but I couldn't remember who accepted it for her. Alice Ghostley was an odd choice to accept the award for her. I've always said that this was one if the hardest years to pick the Best Actress Award because all of the women that year were exceptional and all 5 of them are my favorites. Maggie Smith was brilliant in the role of Jean Brodie. Her scene with Pamela Franklin near the end of the movie (where she accuses Pamela of being an assassin ) is a master class in film acting. An unforgettable performance. And so I think Maggie was a fine choice for Best Actress.

[@jaydefelice9887]

Smith and Ghostley had been friends since 1956 when they appeared on broadway together. I'm pretty sure Smith requested Ghostley to accept of her behalf.

[@steveb1164]

She did. Ghostley wouldn't have been allowed to accept it otherwise.@@jaydefelice9887

[@donatord]

That telephone scene from the Sterile Cuckoo was just amazing. One of the best bits of acting I've seen.

[@independentfilmchannel1476]

You're right. And I'm not even a Liza fan ordinarily.

[@soup1221]

This is Alice Ghostley. She played Esmiralda in 'Bewitched'

[@survivrs]

Who would have thought that this same person would still be a cinema star over 4 decades later with the success of the Harry Potter novels made into movies. Now that is one hell of a resume for anyone!!!

[@lindaeasley4336]

Loved her in California Suite ,too . She won Best Supporting Actress .Her and Michael Caine's performances made that film worth watching

[@Squrtile101]

Wow Geneviève Bujold was so stunning back then omg.

[@good_teanice_house6789]

Squrtile101 She was the original Captain Janeway

[@renegaderunner332]

She was OUTSTANDING in that film!

[@natalianat5736]

God I thought it was her and wondered why does she look so different now 😂

[@lablyaspiras6966]

me too hahaha if i hadn't read comments, i thought it was her 😂

[@lsdarius8702]

One of favourite films ever also mustn't forget Robert and Pamela s performance were brilliant too

[@Shamsithaca]

she is sooo funny. I love Alice Ghostley...she appears a lot in the Julie Andrews HOur....her comedic timing is epic.

[@gatewayski1]

A beautiful film. Alice Ghostly (colleague and friend of Maggie Smith) accepted for Maggie Smith. I wish Celia Johnson had been nominated as the headmistress. I felt she was missing from Oscar's winning circle and certainly would have been worthy against the other nominees in the supporting category.

[@arnoldamaral7406]

To the sure in time some Advantage will come my way. 🇷🇺🍷💙😍 Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@DavidJohnson-yq4nz]

Celia joysas also wonderful

[@Rozsaphile]

Indeed! Also Pamela Franklin, in a supporting role that has almost the weight of the lead. Smith is in the first shot, but Franklin is in the last.

[@paulamiles9559]

@@Rozsaphile Pamela Franklin surely deserved Best Supporting Actress.

[@danielstanwyck2812]

Love Alice Ghostley AND Maggie Smith. What could be bad?

[@flashtimgordon8019]

One of the greatest performances ever given

[@Harringtonml54]

My favorite best actress winning performance, and lovely to see her great friend Alice Ghostley accept on Maggie's behalf. Alice misspoke, however; the director of the film for which Maggie won was Ronald Neame. Credit where it is due, you know.

[@davidfritz1331]

I hope some day someone will post footage of Alice Ghostley winning her 1965 Tony Award for "The Sign in Sidney Brustein's Window". What a great and humble actress. Thank goodness she landed the role of Esmeralda on "Bewitched" or the memories of her and all her performances might have been lost forever like so many others who were just as talented but not fortunate enough to have been bestowed the same kind of exposure.

[@155gerard]

and Jean Simmons (one of the best actress nominees) was sitting behind jane fonda (you can see during the best actress names when the camera shows fonda) however cliff r. states the two who were not believed to be in attendace (simmons and smith) first on the list of the 5 noms; jean simmons must have arrived late, so not expecting her to be present during the name/nom announcement, she was included with smith in the first two names, and then the noms there were announced(minelli,bujold&fonda)

[@Rozsaphile]

Yes, I think so. And husband Richard Brooks beside her?

[@rma3_3_3]

Love Maggie Smith. Loved her in ' on the twentieth century '.

[@mike856ms]

Alice Ghostly was a great character actress. She looked beautiful accepting for Maggie.

[@gatewayski1]

Maggie Smith & Alice Ghostly became friends when they worked together in "New Faces of 1956". Miss Smith asked Alice Ghostly to accept on her behalf. I felt Ms. Ghostly was quite dignified and most likely nervous as well giving her speech, since she erred to mention Ronald Neame as the director. Robert Fryer co-produced the film with James Cresson. Richard Zanuck was the head of 20th Century Fox. Maggie Smith deserved her Oscar for one of the greatest performances ever on film!

[@josephkearny5874]

The director of The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie was Ronald Neame who also directed 1972s The Poseidon Adventure. AG mentioned Robert Fryer? as the director

[@jckfmsincty]

In addition to giving one of the best performances ever filmed, it's a tribute to Smith's Oscar that she won out over the established Hollywood families of Jane Fonda and Liza Minnelli's. And, Fonda and Minnelli were damn good in their roles this year. Sometimes, the system works.

[@gatewayski1]

The director was "Ronald Neame", otherwise this would have been a perfect acceptance speech by Alice Ghostly [who accepted Maggie Smith's Oscar with dignity]. This was a very great list of Best Actress Contenders -- but Maggie Smith's win was richly deserved.

[@cascooter]

Alice ghostly accepting for Maggie smith, awesome!!

[@kalevala29]

Man, Cliff was freaking hot!

[@curtischildress9580]

Agreed. HAF!!!

[@Marcel_Audubon]

and thank you, Muriel Spark!

[@646guy]

Bernice accepts an Oscar....never thought I'd see that

[@arnoldamaral7406]

Alice Ghostley is a good actress you need to keep up 🇷🇺🍷💙 Mon Ami. Arnold Bourbon Amaral

[@josifus77]

Bradley Cooper looks like Cliff Robertson

[@polakzpolaka]

Or Roberts like Cooper

[@emersonbafonso435]

Maggie Smith tão simpática,formosa, humilde.

[@oscarlover100]

She is absoulutely one of the best!!!!

[@teurypotter1218]

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAGGIE SMITH (12/28/34)!🎂

[@queenagi]

Liza Minnelli is so cute sitting next to her father, Vincente and he is holding her hand!

[@Squrtile101]

I had to watch this a couple times to realize what’s going on. I was lost looking at Cliff Robinson. Damn he’s fine.

[@FantasticBeasts2024]

A shame she wasn’t present. She’s one of the best actresses of all time

[@gainal9080]

Best win in the category. Period.

[@pandorazbox9659]

Tough year, all amazing films.

[@jamesmajor3892]

It was nice to see Mr. Minnelli attending with his daughter.

[@clintonwthompson]

wow she really just gave all the credit to the men around maggie smith then left. ok....

[@torontomame]

If you'd watched the entire clip you would have heard her comment on Maggie's "magnificent performance". Or would have mentioning that part weakened your implication that Ms Ghostley was being sexist?

[@clintonwthompson]

@@torontomame i watched it all miss thing. don't try it. it's my opinion that if i saw someone give credit to everyone else, all men, before getting around to me, id be annoyed. it is sexist. it was fucking hollywood, mame! sexism was also super internalized in 1970... it is what it is. don't get mad at me for calling it out. also don't reply, cuz i don't give a fuck.

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

@@clintonwthompson I agree! She barely even spoke of Maggie when the award was a tribute to her.

[@thephoenixxy]

I honestly thought, "Where's she going with this?"

[@al.santos6264]

She practically said that with those men involved any actress would have won an Oscar.

[@vikivarga3]

0:18 Vincente next to Liza...so sweet! :)

[@fatima1009]

Yes, she was there with her dad, and had just lost her mom.

[@holliedevine7565]

It’s so sweet, when she won her Oscar in1972 and brought her dad again and the way he reacted was filled with pride for Liza

[@ahbowakawapoussepousse2712]

There was a tribute for Judy that Oscars. It would have been sad for both of them.

[@thomstephens]

And the Oscar goes to...Bernice! Lol I love this quirky moment!

[@karadenizin-kizi]

gosh maggie should attend more often tho accept her award simply because she gives the very best speeches!

[@wotan10950]

Maggie Smith and Alice Ghostley appeared on Broadway together in "The New Faces of Broadway" in 1956. They remained friends until Ghostley's death. Paul Lynde was in that group as well.

[@weeGeorgiegirl]

Maggie Smith is also in the Harry Potter movies as well as Sister Act , she was the Mother Superior she's one of my faves we're both from Scotland, and I love this movie

[@scouser2010ify]

Imagine being Maggie and just not even bothering to show up 😂

[@robertorourke2358]

Katharine Hepburn missed all four of her Oscars.

[@independentfilmchannel1476]

+crazzi-j north. I believe she was appearing in a play that night. Also, nominees often missed the ceremony in those days probably because travel was more difficult.

[@robertorourke2358]

She got to send Alice Ghostly to pick up her Oscar, but that changed after Marlon Brando sent Sacheen Littlefeather. Now, it's "The Academy congratulates Sir Anthony and accepts the award on his behalf."

[@katbowl9971]

I saw the thumbnail and I thought I never knew Maggie Smith looked so much like Alice Ghostley. Lol

[@kaylep5813]

Beautifully said!!!!!!!

[@emiliobello2538]

Wonderful

[@patriciacarlyle9456]

How could you choose just one !?

[@Jacrispy223]

Best actress of all time

[@ergieandaya8282]

At first i thought he was bradley cooper. I really did take a closer. They look almost the same.

[@hgoodin1013]

same here, ha!

[@debbielundberg9379]

Love Maggie Smith

[@slh950]

Alice Ghostley was wonderful too!

[@guramile]

This year was a difficult one for just the right actress to receive the award…all were good performances, but several of them were odd, disturbing caricatures rather than genuinely interesting roles for women (Smith, Fonda, Minnelli). Simmons was spot on and wonderful. Bujold was magnificent, but had made an enemy of Elizabeth Taylor, who (so it was rumored at the time) waged a major undercover campaign against her. Bujold was already internationally known and was named Golden Globe winner for ANNE(1969) and Best Actress in Canada (for ISABEL). Bujold is beautiful here and today one of the French speaking world's best actresses. Jean Simmons or Genevieve Bujold would have been better choices for that particular year, a mon avis (IMO). In the Hollywood columns of the day (1970) critics kept reminding Academy Members not to forget about Maggie Smith…it worked.

[@gatewayski1]

The Critics were quite wise back then. I know one very wise Critic back then, Clyde Gilmour, who felt Dame Celia Johnson would win Best Supporting Actress (but she was not even nominated).

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Philip Boleyn "odd, disturbing caricatures"? You picked the three most acclaimed of the five to describe that way. Taking nothing away from Simmons or Bujold, both excellent in their respective roles, but Smith earned that award rather decisively.

[@sedekiman824]

Well, isn't that what Jean Brody was, a caricature? And played sublimely by Maggie Smith. "She thinks to intimidate me with quarter hours!"

[@NaughtyVampireGod]

Best actress NO SHOWS: Wow 4 years in a row !!!!

[@nickbigd]

Alice Ghostley and Maggie Smith had been friends since 1956 when they appeared on Broadway together.

[@fabiokaneziro8848]

the face of cliff robertson astonishingly looks like david beckham

[@seanmanucha3407]

I was thinking bradley cooper lol

[@robertkapler6227]

Just because I watch one video about the making of a movie from 1960's does not mean I want to see every single thing about every single old-time actor or actress.

[@tommoncrieff1154]

She got the director completely wrong, it was Ronald Neame. He also directed The Poseidon Adventure and many other great movies.

[@e.cp.109]

Very well deserved.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+E. CP. I think I agree but wow, what fierce competition.

[@JerseySurvivor]

They starred on Broadway in New Faces of 1956. That's Alice's husband, Felice Orlandi, who walks halfway up the aisle with her. Hope you post John & Juliet Mills speeches from the next year.

[@plestj]

Nice acceptance speech by Alice Ghostley! Comedienne who was in Bewiched, Designing Women and others.

[@billyboylb]

I love Alice!

[@bryanwiley5511]

This is Alice Ghostly, people, she is standing in for Maggie

[@Starkardur]

Great line-up. My personal fave was Liza in Sterile Cuckoo.

[@jonathanswift2251]

Someone from Bewitched accepting an Oscar!!!

[@charliemoncada3773]

Oh, Esmeralda.

[@BujoldComa78]

Maggie Smith is a wonderful actress and I am glad she won an Oscar. I only wish that Genevieve Bujold had gone on to win one herself. Her performances in Obsession and Coma should have given her the Academy she so richly deserves.

[@limadelta9429]

BujoldComa78 correct

[@strawberrycurrant]

Thanks for this!

[@rushofblood994]

'...is Maggie Smith, in The Prime of Miss Jodie Brodie!' hahahahh well done mate

[@JerseySurvivor]

@broadjumper1 Jean's performance was great then. And it only gets better with age. See the film! Not only was Jean great but Shirley Jones & Tina Louise and Nanette Fabray & Teresa Wright also gave Oscar calibur performances in The Happy Ending.

[@paulinegail20]

Thank you very much. So I heard, my grandmother is also a fan! :">

[@TaraAshleyTWILIGHT21]

So what? Harry Potter exposed a fantastic actress to the younger generation. Now everyone of all ages can know what a brilliant actress she is!

[@mapasinterativos2796]

Great actress

[@wadedavid4375]

Esmeralda from Bewitched! Alice Ghostley.

[@jacobgarrity651]

And the Oscar goes to Professor Minerva McGonagall for the Prime of Miss jean Brodie

[@broadjumper1]

@zim83 - I've seen all of these performances save Jean Simmons and they were all great . While I loved Smith's turn in "The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie", it struck me as a bit shrill and overwrought in parts...on the otherhand, I was really taken with Minelli's performance in "The Sterile Cuckoo"...both performance were remarkable, but I might have gone for Minelli over Smith.

[@danielewenkhare3600]

❤️🧡💛💚💙💜

[@markwhitman72]

I saw all these performances and feel Maggie was the best with Liza a close second!

[@toyamac]

She was in London on stage :)

[@GusMcGuire]

0:40 Did he just say: "Maggie Smith in The Prime of Miss JODY Brodie"?!

[@jonathanhemsworth9383]

Who would know Liza has some kick ass nominations!

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

+Jonathan Hemsworth Ya Liza had her 15 minutes of fame and popularity back then. That's how she became such a Legend. Too bad they stopped making many musicals then. Liza would have been in every other one.

[@TheChannelTV-bt8em]

+Robert Anderson 15 minutes of fame? She wasn't a fucking reality show tv star. And she was brilliant in The Sterile Cuckoo. And that's something coming from me because I don't even like her.

[@robb7398]

She didn't remain a big movie star but damn, do you guys know anything about Broadway or TV or concerts? LIza has won an Oscar, Tony, Emmy and Grammy.

[@Spiderman7Bob7]

Robb - just how long would you say Liza Minnelli was what they would call today '"an 'A ' lister.?

[@robb7398]

Late 60's (first Oscar nom) to early 2000's? Hey her career had ups and downs but what I responded to was your ridiculous 15 minutes of fame comment. If you're not in movies TV reality shows, or pop music you don't exist to some people.

[@IngridBergmanRocked]

Maggie Smith definitely deserved her award. LOVE her performance in this film:D

[@arayanhenrique4124]

It is so rare Maggie smith goes to those events.