If Jean ARthur Had Been A Man, . . . .

steely3000: "Her performance was outstanding, I agree. I admit though I didn't see some of the other performances for 1939, but Jean would have never beaten out Hattie McDaniel."
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I don't think she would have won over McDaniel (a performance I really don't care for, but I can grasp its political and social ramifications) and even removing McDaniel, I think DeHavilland would have won over her, but Jean Arthur should have at least been nominated for Mr. Smith.

That was one of the most subtle mood-changing performances I think I've ever seen. She was definitely better than Stanwyck's performance in Meet John Doe, which I know wasn't nominated, but was essentially the same kind of characterization.

But her speech to Stewart, which I believe was at the LIncoln Memorial, that really was compelling, how she was speaking to this fellow and how she had been so cynical early on. I can't do it justice to describe it, then how she progressed on with him during the filibuster and when his mother called her by her first name. That was a supporting performance nomination.

Maybe not a win, and no, I wouldn't have given it to her over McDaniel or DeHavilland for Gone With the Wind, but she deserved a nomination.