5.27.2008

To Dos Day

___ Item 1: MADELINE KAHN APPRECIATION DAY THIS THURSDAY.
It's time - StinkyLulu's Madeline Kahn Appreciation Day on Thursday, May 29, 2008 -- a random day on which all bloggers are invited to offer their appreciations of the life and work of Madeline Kahn (1942-1999). And, please, don't forget to send me the details so's I can link...

___ Item 2: DEFINE EXISBLOGSISTENTIALISM. (FOR YOURSELF, NATCH.)
This week's NYT Magazine coverstory about the existential dilemmas instigated by blogging seems to have "exposed" a collective nerve shared by some of the most important stars of my own personal blogosphere (ModFab, FourFour, Andrew Sullivan). But amidst all this Gould-oriented contemplation, GayProf (another key figure in my blogstar constellation) offered his own prescient -- note the publication date, several days prior to Gould's piece going live -- on the problem: GayProf's Chart of Blogging Celebrity Status (scroll down past the images for the nifty quiz).

___ Item 3: CHECK ME OUT.
Over on StinkyLulu's Screening Log over on livejournal. My largely unedited ramblings about the movies I've seen at home and a'cinema. I'm having a great time doing the LJ ramblings but I have, like, three friends. Comments welcome. (See also the widget in my sidebar for ongoing updates.) Props to The Oscar Completist for the inspiration.

___ Item 4: READ SOME GREAT STUFF.
And Your Little Blog, Too has a fascinating piece on A Summer Place. Nathaniel's turned in a must-read essay on Network. Self-Styled Siren answers offers fascinating answers to a fascinating quiz. And there's some really interesting conversation over at Film of the Month Club about one of the strangest documentaries I've ever seen....

___ Item 5: 1999's NOT OVER YET.
Though the Smackdown for 1999 is already several days behind us, the excitement of 1999 will continue through this week, with Catherine Keener's profile coming on Wednesday as well as two Overlooked profiles (Lesley Manville in Topsy-Turvy on Friday or Saturday, as well as Madeline Kahn's final film performance in Judy Berlin on Thursday) and my "Died in 1999" tribute to Betty Lou Gerson in One Hundred and One Dalmations appearing later today....

___ Item 6: OVERLOOKED IN 1939.
Though the voting kept it something of a horse race, y'all decided to turn StinkyLulu's way back machine back 60 years from the recent glory year of 1999 to one of the more legendary years in Hollywood history: 1939. 'Tis quite a year -- one for which an "overlooked" profile is nearly certainly necessary. But how to limit the field to only ten contenders? That's where you come in, lovely reader. Help me to determine which 10 overlooked supporting actress performances should be up for the next vote. Share your top 1 or 2 in comments...

Have at it, lovelies...

13 comments:

Dame James said...

Any of the cast of The Women would make for excellent "Overlooked in 1939" Contenders: Paulette Goddard (my personal favorite), Rosalind Russell, Mary Boland, Phyllis Povah.

Middento said...

I got one: Rita Hayworth in Only Angels Have Wings. What was pretty much Rita Hayworth's coming-out party (as opposed to Rita Cansino, natch).

Slayton said...

No 'born in 1939' profile? Darnit... I spent three hours the other day compiling the most comprehensive list you ever saw.

Criticlasm said...

Overlooked in 1939? The Witch.

And that that is all I have to say proves it. :)

Slayton said...

Just for reference (even if you don't use it), here's the 'Born in 1939' list:

JANE ALEXANDER in SUNSHINE STATE
GILA ALMAGOR in UNDER THE DOMIM TREE
ELIZABETH ASHLEY in THE CARPETBAGGERS
PILAR BARDEM in NOBODY WILL SPEAK OF US WHEN WE'RE DEAD
BRIGID BERLIN in BAD
KAREN BLACK in THE GREAT GATSBY
JACKIE BURROUGHS in THE GREY FOX
CYNTHIA CARR in THE LAST HOUSE ON THE LEFT
PIERA DEGLI ESPOSTI in MY MOTHER'S SMILE a.k.a. THE RELIGION HOUR
MELINDA DILLON in BOUND FOR GLORY
SUSAN FLANNERY in THE TOWERING INFERNO
LOUISE LASSER in HAPPINESS
JENNIE LINDEN in WOMEN IN LOVE
LARISA MALEVANNAYA in INTERGIRL
LINDA MARSH in AMERICA, AMERICA
MAURA MCGIVENEY in DO NOT DISTURB
MARISA MELL in DANGER: DIABOLIK
FRANCE NUYEN in SOUTH PACIFIC
MAYUMI OGAWA in VENGEANCE IS MINE
TERELE PAVEZ in COMMON WEALTH
LARYSSA LAURET in EVERYTHING IS ILLUMINATED
LILY TOMLIN in SHORT CUTS
BRENDA VACCARO in MIDNIGHT COWBOY
ISELA VEGA in HEROD'S LAW

NATHANIEL R said...

i have to say a word in support of Geraldine Fitzgerald in WUTHERING HEIGHTS

Dame James said...

Does anyone else think that Greer Garson should have been nominated for Best Supporting Actress instead of in the Lead Actress category for Goodbye, Mr. Chips in 1939? It's quite a fabulous performance, certainly the best thing about the film, but I believe that she was more of a support than an actual lead (she's only in the film 30 minutes, tops).

Adam said...

Thanks for the shoutout. I love how detailed your thoughts are. I respect your thoroughness.

Vertigo's Psycho said...

But Criticism, are you are good witch, or a bad witch? Remember, only bad witches are ugly.

Outside of those two wonderful ladies, Betty Field in Of Mice and Men and Butterfly McQueen in Gone with the Wind immediately come to mind.

I think Fitzgerald was nominated for Heights, but you could still list her as overlooked for Dark Victory.

Beef said...

Re 1939 Supporting Actresses:
Kay Francis is superb in "In Name Only" and steals the movie from Carole Lombard and Cary Grant. It's one of the best parts she ever had and makes one regret that her film career ended abruptly.

Slayton said...

I second the Kay Francis mention.

Aaron C. Thomas said...

I want to agree with Dame James Henry about Greer Garson stealing a Best Actress slot in 1939. It's definitely a supporting turn and her presence in the category means that Myrna Loy got excluded for The Rains Came, a performance I LOVE.

NATHANIEL R said...

yeah um. sorry i was brain dead when i typed that Fitzgerald was nominated. yes