Post by CrazyForKate on Mar 6, 2011 13:51:58 GMT -5
Watching the Oscars last week, the thought occurred to me- I wonder where KH ranked in the voting at each Oscar nomination? Obviously she came first four times, and we know she was second for Alice Adams. Anyone want to guess? We'll never know, but it might be fun.
Please note- I am NOT commenting on the quality of the performance particularly- I like Hepburn's performances- instead, I am trying to let go of biases and see how she might have appeared to Academy voters. And remember, these are just guesses, with the acknowledgment that the Academy is quite different today and some of my logic might not work- and that certain actresses who might be less-remembered today could have been more high-profile than I think.
1933- Morning Glory- 1st
1935- Alice Adams- 2nd (the Academy reported this)
1940- The Philadelphia Story- This one was a really good year for actresses. Rogers won for Kitty Foyle, but Davis, Hepburn and Fontaine all pulled off strong roles and most likely had good Academy backup (I have not seen Scott). I would probably rank Hepburn third or fourth, as she was in a very popular movie (and a kind of"comeback" return) and did win the NYFCC, which means she was on the awards radar. More likely third- she seems like third to me. Not sure who I would place as second.
1942- Woman of The Year. Here I would probably rank Hepburn fourth, after winner Garson, Davis and maayybe Russell. She had a good performance, but had just been nominated, and I don't think that at the time she had the awards traction Davis possessed in that six-year run or however long it was. This one's hard to figure out.
1951- The African Queen- I honestly think she came second to Vivien Leigh. Clearly African Queen was well-received, and since the movie depended so much on her relationship with Bogie, and since Bogie won, I think it's a reasonable guess.
1955- Summertime- Here I think Hepburn was probably a long shot, but nonetheless considered a deserving winner, as her performance in Summertime was splendid. Magnani was first, and I think Susan Hayward, besides being brilliant, was racking up the "overdue" votes. Jones and Hepburn could wait- they had Oscars- and I'm not sure how big a role Parker played in voting- I just don't have enough information about the film's reception. So I think Hepburn got votes on the strength of her performance, but not really looking towards a win- if that makes sense- and I would probably rank her third. Possibly fourth.
1956- The Rainmaker- Of all her Oscar-nominated roles, this seems the least well-received among the critics. I think this is fifth. The only factor I could really see changing this is that by now Hepburn was becoming a very frequent nominee and was firmly established as a talented veteran actress, and probably had many fans within the Academy. However, something about this performance strikes me as a very lucky nominee- even if it's one of my favourites of hers.
1959- Suddenly, Last Summer- Again, I think she was fourth or fifth. Why? Signoret won, I would probably rank Taylor second because she was a big star with a showy performance and had never won (keep in mind this was her third nomination in a row and she was to win the next year). I hate to say this, but Day and Audrey Hepburn were younger, and we all know that in Hollywood young is good. I suppose since Day was in a "light" role that could have influenced her votes negatively, but I don't know to what extent the Academy shunned comedies in those days, and also Day was pretty popular at the time. Also, KH's movie did not seem to get a lot of Academy love (two Actress nominations plus a nom in Art Direction) while Day's movie had several nominations and won Screenplay. Never go full crazy, I guess.
1962- Long Day's Journey Into Night- Splendid year for actresses- seriously, I think this is my favourite Academy Lead Actress line-up ever. Many, many people consider this to be KH's best ever (including yours truly), and the critics certainly adored it for the most part. Also, it was unique in KH's filmography, from a brilliant play, etc, etc. I think the sheer beauty of her performance placed her third, even if the movie itself was relatively low-profile (this was its sole nomination). Bancroft won, Davis was campaigning very hard (and had an excellent performance) so I wouldn't be surprised to see her second, and I think Remick and Page were just solid nominees who were there for the ride. Also, KH had the overdue factor going for her, as it had been nearly thirty years since her then-only win. The movie's low profile brings her down, so I would go for third. But really, those five performances were all great.
1967- 1st! Finally!
1968- 1st. Tied.
1981- 1st. Kate is the Oscar Queen.
Any thoughts? Am I totally off base? Any additional stuff you want to add? Go for it!
Please note- I am NOT commenting on the quality of the performance particularly- I like Hepburn's performances- instead, I am trying to let go of biases and see how she might have appeared to Academy voters. And remember, these are just guesses, with the acknowledgment that the Academy is quite different today and some of my logic might not work- and that certain actresses who might be less-remembered today could have been more high-profile than I think.
1933- Morning Glory- 1st
1935- Alice Adams- 2nd (the Academy reported this)
1940- The Philadelphia Story- This one was a really good year for actresses. Rogers won for Kitty Foyle, but Davis, Hepburn and Fontaine all pulled off strong roles and most likely had good Academy backup (I have not seen Scott). I would probably rank Hepburn third or fourth, as she was in a very popular movie (and a kind of
1942- Woman of The Year. Here I would probably rank Hepburn fourth, after winner Garson, Davis and maayybe Russell. She had a good performance, but had just been nominated, and I don't think that at the time she had the awards traction Davis possessed in that six-year run or however long it was. This one's hard to figure out.
1951- The African Queen- I honestly think she came second to Vivien Leigh. Clearly African Queen was well-received, and since the movie depended so much on her relationship with Bogie, and since Bogie won, I think it's a reasonable guess.
1955- Summertime- Here I think Hepburn was probably a long shot, but nonetheless considered a deserving winner, as her performance in Summertime was splendid. Magnani was first, and I think Susan Hayward, besides being brilliant, was racking up the "overdue" votes. Jones and Hepburn could wait- they had Oscars- and I'm not sure how big a role Parker played in voting- I just don't have enough information about the film's reception. So I think Hepburn got votes on the strength of her performance, but not really looking towards a win- if that makes sense- and I would probably rank her third. Possibly fourth.
1956- The Rainmaker- Of all her Oscar-nominated roles, this seems the least well-received among the critics. I think this is fifth. The only factor I could really see changing this is that by now Hepburn was becoming a very frequent nominee and was firmly established as a talented veteran actress, and probably had many fans within the Academy. However, something about this performance strikes me as a very lucky nominee- even if it's one of my favourites of hers.
1959- Suddenly, Last Summer- Again, I think she was fourth or fifth. Why? Signoret won, I would probably rank Taylor second because she was a big star with a showy performance and had never won (keep in mind this was her third nomination in a row and she was to win the next year). I hate to say this, but Day and Audrey Hepburn were younger, and we all know that in Hollywood young is good. I suppose since Day was in a "light" role that could have influenced her votes negatively, but I don't know to what extent the Academy shunned comedies in those days, and also Day was pretty popular at the time. Also, KH's movie did not seem to get a lot of Academy love (two Actress nominations plus a nom in Art Direction) while Day's movie had several nominations and won Screenplay. Never go full crazy, I guess.
1962- Long Day's Journey Into Night- Splendid year for actresses- seriously, I think this is my favourite Academy Lead Actress line-up ever. Many, many people consider this to be KH's best ever (including yours truly), and the critics certainly adored it for the most part. Also, it was unique in KH's filmography, from a brilliant play, etc, etc. I think the sheer beauty of her performance placed her third, even if the movie itself was relatively low-profile (this was its sole nomination). Bancroft won, Davis was campaigning very hard (and had an excellent performance) so I wouldn't be surprised to see her second, and I think Remick and Page were just solid nominees who were there for the ride. Also, KH had the overdue factor going for her, as it had been nearly thirty years since her then-only win. The movie's low profile brings her down, so I would go for third. But really, those five performances were all great.
1967- 1st! Finally!
1968- 1st. Tied.
1981- 1st. Kate is the Oscar Queen.
Any thoughts? Am I totally off base? Any additional stuff you want to add? Go for it!