MovieChat Forums > The Philadelphia Story (1941) Discussion > James Stewart's Oscar was undeserved

James Stewart's Oscar was undeserved

posted 18 years ago by isidro_garcia_15
47 replies | jump to latest

As far as I am concerned, Jimmy didn't deserve the Oscar mainly because there were better performances that year such as Laurence Olivier in Rebecca or especially Henry Fonda in The grapes of wrath. In addition, it wasn't the best performance in the film because Katharine Hepburn and Ruth Hussey(who was amazing) were far better. Don't get me wrong, I love James Stewart and he was quite good but he should have won for Mr.Smith goes to Washington or Anatomy of a murder and not for this film. However, I really liked this movie and it really deserved best adapted screenplay Oscar.

This would have been my choices in the acting categories:
Best actor- Henry Fonda-The grapes of wrath
Best actress-Joan Fontaine-Rebecca(I don't know how Ginger Rogers won)
Best supporting actor-Walter Brennan-The foreigner
Best supporting actress- It would have been difficult to choose because all were just amazing but perhaps Jane Darwell would have been my choice.

[–] vickic531 12 years ago

I don't think Stewart should've won for this either. What really surprises me, no nomination for Virginia Weidler or Cary Grant?

Go figure....guess the Oscars were just as odd then as they are now!

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"A transplanted Rebel" Vicki

[–] muito-merda 11 years ago

It was refreshing to see a comic performance win for once. Drama roles only ever seem to win oscars.

[–] TwoThousandOneMark 10 years ago

The further back in time one goes, the more forgiving I am of 'honourary/make up Oscars'.

As for Stewart's performance, it's remarkable enough. So he didn't headline the movie, Grant only did because it & its high salary demand go straight to the British war effort.
That one's a bit misleading sans context. Make no mistake, this is Hepburn & Stewart at the helm.

And another thing- forever more ppl will never give comedy its artistic & critical due. Shame really, even with this pitch perfect film.

[–] hisgrandmogulhighness 10 years ago

Stewart is the real star of the film, The Philadelphia Story, one of the best MGM produced . . . whatever the original intent, Stewart soon steals the picture from his two top-billed co-stars . . . another reason he deserved the Academy Award . . . which I'm glad he won . . .