It managed 6 Oscar nominations in ALL THE TOP CATEGORIES but failed to land the big one-
It was up for Actor, Actress, Supporting Actor, Supporting Actress, Directing and Writing. But not best film? To this day its the only- and I mean ONLY- film to hold this bizarre distinction. Just crazy.
I found that hard to believe too especially since GODFREY is a much better film than another Wm. Powell film LIBELED LADY which was nominated for Best Picture. (I do like LL a lot just I don't think it's as good as MMG).
I suspect the reason is Universal was a much smaller studio than the other "majors" and had less clout and block voting at the Oscars and probably threw all of it's weight into getting a Best Picture nomination for THREE SMART GIRLS at which they succeeded although the film is not that great in my opinion. Deanna Durbin was a Universal contractee though and it was in the studio's best interests to make sure her film got the nod rather than a slot possibly going to GODFREY which starred loanout stars.
This is an interesting and compelling post. I also wonder if it canceled out with/lost votes to Libeled Lady. I don't know that MMG is MUCH better, as I enjoyed both a LOT. But I will say MMG is the better film.
The other shocking thing no one has come out and said in this thread is that there were 10 Best Picture nominees that year. How shocking a snub for a film as well made as this one and deservedly nominated in all the other major categories. And how rare for a film nominated for Best Director not to be one of the *10* Best Picture nominees. (The only other time: Angels with Dirty Faces.)
Matthew Broderick hosted the latest TCM airing of the film, and his info was correct. (Too bad he either had trouble reading a teleprompter or else gave the most lethargic TCM hosting performance I've ever seen.)
And yet the talking head on TCM (Bill Hader in this case) mentioned that it WAS nominated for best picture as well. Does TCM do any fact-checking whatsoever? 50% of the garbage they spew (Robert Osbourne included) is usually false.
Anyway, you are correct. You shouldn't have a film with great directing, writing, and acting and not have it nominated for best picture. It makes you wonder; was the lighting not up to par or something?
Agreed 100000%. Nods for all 4 acting categories, and a director and screenplay nod, but no nod for best picture? This is will have me wondering til the day I die!
shareThere was mention of this in the commentary part of the dvd, but it wasn't exactly clear what the problem was. . .but there was a problem.
shareHow many other comedies have won?
O Brother Where Art Thou should have.
This film is one of my favourites but I have to admit it never occurred to me that it was Oscar nominated - it's just not that kind of film. But I noticed that the Best Picture that year was The Great Zeigfeld of which Powell was the star so I guess that's something.
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