MovieChat Forums > The Great Race (1965) Discussion > Jack Lemmon deserved an oscar nom..

Jack Lemmon deserved an oscar nom..

posted 15 years ago by projectmayhem969
5 replies | jump to latest

I always thought of his Prof Fate performance something straight out of looney tunes. And even an inspiration To Snively Whiplash.

But I always consider this is an oscar worthy performance

[–] 15 years ago

[deleted]

[–] fortunate1 14 years ago

I wouldn't go that far either, mayhem; Lemmon's performance here was just too caricatured. Appropriate for this movie, surely, but not Oscar-worthy, IMHO.

That said, Lee Marvin won the Oscar for best actor that year [up against Richard Burton, Laurence Olivier, Rod Steiger and Oscar Werner] for a performance in 'Cat Ballou' that was equally OTT. I guess the Academy was in a giddy mood in 1965.

[–] DodgersRule 14 years ago

He was very funny. Probasbly a little one note as Fate (but still entertaining) but when he becomes the prince -- comedy genuis!

[–] wowcharlie3 13 years ago

I like Jack Lemmon, but he was never more irritating than he is in this movie.

[–] hatr 13 years ago

I think Oscars would be more highly regarded if they did consider roles such as Lemmon's in Great Race, and Peter Falk for supporting actor too