No Oscar noms
completely overlooked
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& the girl was absolutely drop dead gorgeous.
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MovieChat Forums > Sweet Smell of Success (1957) Discussion > No Oscar noms
I hate to admit this... but Tony Curtis was excellent and deserved a nomination.
He spent most of his career being absolutely godawful, but this was one movie where he was fantastic, gripping, and chilling! Who knew that schlub had it in him.
I totally agree. Usually he seems to vamping at the camera. But here he was incredibly genuine. I was surprised that he actually had more screen time than Burt Lancaster ( who was also excellent).
shareYeah, it was Curtis's film the whole way, the one time he gave a fantastic performance and held his place at center screen against heavy competition.
Usually, he just sort of preened at the camera. That's how I'd describe his usual approach to his work, because vamping requires some sort of interest in someone other than one's lovely self.
I saw this film for the first time last night on TCM http://www.tcm.com/watchtcm/movies/24062/Sweet-Smell-Of-Success/ I was really surprised at how much I like Curtis in it. When it comes to Burt Lancaster-- he comes pre-loved for me. I could watch him reading a phone book.
Another thing I loved about the film was seeing New York City in the 1950's. Everything is very different now. When they showed the 21 Club, I was amazed at what the surrounding buildings looked like back then. Now, there are high rise buildings all around 21 Club, so they totally dwarf the little restaurant. https://www.google.com/maps/@40.7604025,-73.97755,3a,75y,35.85h,93.46t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1sa3i0tbG9_wPO6MAAykVnVA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192
Yeah. Tony Curtis was amazing in this. Definitely should've got an Oscar nod. Lancaster was also great but fair that he didn't get a nomination given the competition that year. Screenplay should've been up for one too as well as MacKendrick for Best Director
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