I don't think one necessarily needs to have Spanish roots or to even look Spanish in order to have a name that has a Spanish origin. For instance, we don't have any Spanish at all in my family tree. In fact, my mother was full Irish, yet she had an aunt Inez who was also pure Irish.
But back to the original post....I have always thought that Maureen Stapleton did a superb job as Inez Guerrero in "Airport". An Oscar-worthy performance if there ever was one! Yet I wouldn't take away Helen Hayes' Oscar for her performance as the affable and sly stow-away Mrs. Ada Quonsett. She was purely delightful and played her part to the hilt! But consider that scene on the plane where Ada Quonsett is being shouted at by the senior stewardess (as her gig as a frequent stow-away is found out by the airline executives). Mrs. Quonsett is in her unassigned seat, crying and begging for leniency, and she's eventually slapped by the senior stewardess. Then Mrs. Quonsett suddenly switches gears and grabs onto Guerrero's arm in an ostentatious attempt for chivarous male protection, yet she is really attempting to divert his attention just long enough during the confusion of her sudden emotional outburst so that she can steal the bomb-wired briefcase from his death grip...well, I think Miss Hayes did a superb job in carrying off her dual role. It called for an acting performance that runs a wide spectrum of acting ability, ranging from an emotionally distraught little old lady and instantaneously switching gears to a well poised lady of considerable emotional strength while confronting an obviously deranged madman. I think Helen Hayes deserved the Oscar.
But one must consider that Miss Stapleton's and Miss Hayes' roles in that film were obviously different (very dramatic throughout vs. light-hearted and genial on one level and dramatic and dualistic on another level). I think both actresses did splendidly in their acting performances. It's one race I'm sure glad I didn't have to cast the deciding vote. Difficult decision, to say the least. But I think Helen Hayes did a spectacular job in Airport. And as much as I think Maureen Stapleton turned in an Oscar-worthy performance as well, I still think Helen Hayes deserved her award too.
There have been Academy Award ties in the past, and this is one year in which I think a tie would have been warranted. Perhaps it's a good example for having separate categories for best achievements in dramatic and best achievements in non-dramatic acting parts.
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