1939

The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum (Director: Kenji Mizoguchi)
Nominees: The Wizard of Oz, Ninotchka, Gone with the Wind, Stagecoach

Oscars pick: Gone with the Wind
Nominees: Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Love Affair, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, Of Mice and Men, Stagecoach, Wizard of Oz, Wuthering Heights 

Director Kenji Mizoguchi could have titled this the Artist and his Muse. The picture is an account of the adopted son of a great actor, who is unable to follow in his father's footsteps as far as talent goes. People fawn over him due to his name, though in truth, he's a failure at his craft. The woman, a family employee who takes care of his baby brother, is the only one who is honest with him, which inspires the young man to do better. Love blooms - however, she's considered 'below his station'. And that sets up the rest of the tragic tale.

Last Chrysanthemum is quintessential Mizoguchi. There's the thread of sadness, self-sacrifice, a strong feminine presence. And while there is hardship, the director shows great compassion for these people and their plight. That's not only evident in the way the story has been written, but in the care in which they are shot. The camera, soft-focus lenses, and lighting... Kenji and his crew facilitate empathy using everything from composition to props (the gift of a mirror and what it says about the time and place this is set, as well as the relationship between Kiku and Otoku). Interestingly, he accomplishes this without the use of close-ups.

While there are examples of quicker cutting used to build tension (during Kiku's comeback performance), the director leans heavily on long takes – some of which are accompanied by dolly shots... like in that lovely scene where our couple simply walk and discuss his art. It's a beautiful moment: a simple but pivotal one where we see a true and honest friendship come to life.

Critics Johnathan Rosenbaum and Tony Rayns consider it the director's crowning achievement. And while I'd probably give that honor to Sansho, this moving, bittersweet romance certainly shows Mizoguchi in peak form.

Exceptional film. The Master really tore the heart from my chest with this one.

Here are my thoughts on the Criterion release.

Nominees? I like Oscar's choice; it’s a great one. The sprawling civil war romance represented the year well. Capturing the hearts of the public for years, it became one of filmdom’s biggest box office hits. Just as timeless is the Wizard of Oz. Interestingly, Victor Fleming is credited as director on both films, even won an Oscar for GWTW, but he didn't complete either movie. On Wind, he was the middle director (George Cukor started it, Sam Cook was directing by the end of it) and on Oz, he was assisted by several, including King Vidor who filmed the song "Somewhere, Over the Rainbow", while Fleming was off shooting GWTW.

Oz is magical. It opens in dusty colored Kansas before blooming into candy-colored hues once Dorothy enters the land of Oz. It’s an exquisite looking picture, from the sets to the costumes to the special effects. And the music, so full of whimsy and longing, contributes to the vibrancy of the production. Scary, wondrous, heartwarming, and funny... Oz has it all.

Beyond Wind and Oz, I also have great affection for Ernst Lubitsch's sophisticated romantic comedy, Ninotchka, Penned by Charles Bracket and Billy Wilder, and starring Greta Garbo as the title character. The movie works best at the start, with Garbo’s hilarious work as the taciturn Russian, Ninotchka. But once she lightens up the film loses the thing that made it different/special, and it becomes a standard romance. Also, John Ford's Stagecoach is of particular interest as it features John Wayne's star-making role. Wayne had been plugging away for years without making much of a splash. With Stagecoach he took his first steps towards becoming an icon of the silver screen.

Other writers who have attempted this task often select Rules of the Game for this season, and Renoir’s film has its merits, but I find it a bit too chaotic, and I didn't care for the aspects of farce.

As for my acting awards, this was easy peasy. I agree with Oscar on the actress, Leigh is phenominal, but I differ on the actors. Donat was pleasant... maybe too pleasant and too idealized, he's very good but I liked him better in the 39 Steps, Count of Monte Cristo, and Citadel, and Stewart's a powerhouse in Mr. Smith. According to the book "Inside Oscar", the two were neck and neck in the voting.

Best Actress: Vivien Leigh, Gone with the Wind
Honorable Mentions:
Greta Garbo, Ninotchka * Bette Davis, Dark Victory * Ginger Rogers, Bachelor Mother * Judy Garland, Wizard of Oz * Kakuko Mori, The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum * Jean Arthur, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington * Barbara Stanwyck, Golden Boy 

Best Actor: James Stewart, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington
Honorable Mentions:
Charles Laughton, Hunchback of Notre Dame * Clark Gable, Gone with the Wind * Henry Fonda, Young Mr. Lincoln * Robert Donat, Goodbye, Mr. Chips * Basil Rathbone, Hound of Baskervilles * John Wayne, Stagecoach * Maurice Schwartz, Tevye * Shôtarô Hanayagi, The Story of the Last Chrysanthemum

Supporting Actress: Hattie McDaniel, Gone with the Wind

Supporting Actor: Cedric Hardwicke, Hunchback of Notre Dame








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