Nominees: The Lady Eve, The Maltese Falcon, Ball of Fire, Blind Venus, The Devil and Daniel Webster, Little Foxes, Sullivan's Travels
Oscars pick: How Green Was My Valley
Nominees: Blossoms in the Dust, Citizen Kane, Here Comes Mr. Jordan, Hold Back the Dawn, The Little Foxes, the Maltese Falcon, One Foot in Heaven, Sergeant York, Suspicion
Are you kidding me? This is a no brainer. How Green Was My Valley is a fine film, but fine vs. timeless all world classic one of a kind masterpiece? I wouldn't even rank the overly maudlin "How Green" as one of John Ford's top 5 or 7 movies, and its win reeks of Oscar politics. Since he lost for the ‘much superior’ Grapes of Wrath last year, they gave it to the lesser film the following ceremony. Again, not a bad film, but not as good a film as John Huston's Maltese Falcon, or Preston Sturges' delightful The Lady Eve, or even Howard Hawk's snappy Ball of Fire.
And none of them -no matter how wonderful they are- can hold a candle to the colossus that is Citizen Kane – not only for its breadth of technical achievement but for the wise and resonating human story that is as poignant and perceptive today as it was over 80 years ago.
Citizen Kane. Nuff said!
Update: Something else to say? In September 2025 Regal cinemas launched their "Month of Masterpieces", and the first I attended was on Sunday, the 7th, at 9:20 pm, with a showing of Citizen Kane; and what an experience - a true work of genius, where even its mistakes (the bird without an eye, the out-of-synch voices) adds to its legend, and it's mysterious, dream-like qualities. CKs reputation would make one think it a stodgy tragedy... but it's actually quite lively and amusing at the start - the wealthy and their absurdities are revealed in how oversized everything is, their collections, their mansions, or in the cavernous, near empty room (where voices echo), that houses Thatcher's unpublished memoires, it all comes off rather ridiculous (contrast that with the low ceilings and cramped, humble offices of The Inquirer). The music can be broad and comical; Kane's goofy theme song is almost akin to the numbers heard in Python's "Holy Grail". And while Agnes Moorehead brings a quiet dignity to her role in the first act, it's only after Charles marries that the movie sobers up; examines the nature of humankind, and the pain and pointlessness of it all.
And of course, the visuals are incredible - from the avant-garde look of Kane's final moments to Gregg Toland's breathtaking deep focus camerawork and noirish lighting - the reflections seen on various surfaces, the form and compositions within a frame - yeah, Kane is something else.
🎭 Acting! Bette Davis was killer in Little Foxes; it's one of my favorite performances from the actress. But Stanwyck owned 1941 with a pair of delightful comedic femme fatale roles. And while Bogart is incredible in Falcon - with that amused, confident smile - I prefer Welles as my lead actor, simply because I think he's asked to do more. He ages from 25 to 70, which he convincingly conveys both physicality and emotionally. We see him arrogant, tender, playful, cruel, and regretful.
Supporting is where it gets interesting. I had some difficulty finding a lone, standout actress. And there was a crowded field at actor, with Arnold & Huston in The Devil and Daniel Webster, and Lorre & Greenstreet in the Maltese Falcon. Lorre and Huston have their Felix's. So, I'll go with the magnetic Greenstreet, making his film debut at age 62. He's a real character among characters and much deserving of the award.
Honorable Mentions: Carole Lombard, Mr. & Mrs. Smith * Jean Arthur, the Devil and Miss Jones * Betty Field, The Shepherd of the Hills * Viviane Romance, Blind Venus * Bette Davis, Little Foxes * Ida Lupino, Ladies in Retirement * Michèle Morgan, Stormy Waters
Honorable Mentions:
Humphrey Bogart, The Maltese Falcon, High Sierra * Edward G. Robinson, The Sea Wolf * Charles Coburn, The Devil and Miss Jones * Henry Fonda, The Lady Eve * John Wayne & Harry Carey, The Shepherd of the Hills * Cary Grant, Suspicion * Peter Lorre, The Face Behind the Mask * Joel McCrea, Sullivan's Travels * Jean Gabin, Stormy Waters
Supporting Actress: Veronica Lake, Sullivan's Travels
I also liked Patricia Collinge, Little Foxes
