Just been reading the thread about Leslie Ann Warren. It never ceases to amaze me that Robert Preston's brilliant performance as Toddy was overlooked by the Academy and the Oscar went to Louis Gossett Jr for An Officer And A Gentleman. I thought RP was fantastic and deserved the award. Anyone else with thoughts on the matter?
shareI totally agree with you. He was absolutely fantastic in this role. He did the perfect gay 'queen' -- totally believeable and not over the top. I like Louis Gossett Jr., but the Oscar should have been Prestons.
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>>"...did the perfect gay 'queen'..."
Um, wasn't he just being himself? I mean, he wasn't camping it up or anything--that's just Robert Preston.
Obviously you don't know ANYTHING about the man's life. . . . I suggest you do some research before you make comments like that or is your real name 'John Simon' ?
shareI agree that RP should of won. What people do not realize is 2 months before the awards the NAACP was throwing a fit because the Academy fails to let black people win. (They were correct) So tHIS LED TO Lou gOSSIT WINNING.
shareHe should have had an oscar for "The Music Man" and this also they were both great parts which nobody could ever do better.
Proud member of the HSM and TSL Haters Club
Proud Fan of real Musicals, Acting and Singing
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I completely agree with you. I can watch this film over and over again, mainly due to Robert. I think he's wonderful in this role. It's amazing that he didn't win the Oscar. But it goes to show this performance will last a lot longer than his co-nominees and the eventual winner. It's often the case, an over looked role stands the test of time far better than the actual winner. I also think Lesley should have won too - she and Robert are fantastic.
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He WAS nominated for "Toddy"- just didn't get the statue.
shareI couldn't agree more...Preston definitely should have won. I can't believe he lost to Louis Gossett for playing a drill sergeant....one of the easiest things to do in movies is to play a tough drill sergeant...you snarl and yell alot...Preston was cast WAY against type here as an aging homosexual lotharrio looking for a final chance at glory and nailed it. The Academy was completely wrong giving that OScar to Gossett.
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At least he got nominated for this one, he didnt even get that for the Music Man which was outrageous then and now....
It is not our abilities that show who we truly are...it is our choices
What do you mean Preston "was cast WAY against type" -- he WAS an aging homosexual!
shareHe had WAY too many intimate,personal affairs with assorted actresses and singers over the years (some reoccurring and some not) to EVER have been truly gay. His behavior did prove ,however, that his wife was a SAINT ! He was also an EXTREMELY gifted actor.
shareROTFLMAO!!! Preston was a notorious WOMANIZER, and there have NEVER been any guys that he was linked to, lol. Women were crazy about him in turn. He and his wife were a total mismatch. I am REALLY getting tired of every classic actor being labeled as "gay" when so many of them were quite the opposite. Some idiot tried to tell me that GREGORY PECK was gay, and that life-long best friends Stewart and Fonda were gay lovers as well. Geesh. By all accounts Preston was, as Buddy Hackett said, a "sweet and gentle man." Buddy said they "hung out together." Now I suppose they'll try to say that Buddy was gay, too.
shareI agree that Gossett Jr was very undeserving but I would have voted for John Lithgow, personally. Actually this is one of the few years I would have liked a tie - I rewatched Victor Victoria last night and Preston was truly dazzling.
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