Showbiz History: Oscar-nominated sequels and 'the Death of Queen Jane'
Sunday, December 6, 2020 at 8:30AM We announced on twitter that we were going to quit these history posts because of lack of return on investment -- people just dont seem that into them. And then some people complained because they love them. So, hmmm. Perhaps we'll rejigger the concept to make them much less time consuming or chalk it up to too niche even for TFE. Anyway, one last one?
4 random things that happened on this day, December 6th, in film history
1945 The Bells of St Marys premieres. Here's a trivia note you might not know about. This was the first sequel ever nominated for Best Picture...
It featured the return of Bing Crosby's priest character Father O'Malley from the previous year's Best Picture winner Going My Way. This time Ingrid Bergman joined the fun as a friendly-rival nun.
The Only Sequels Nominated for Best Picture
- The Bells of St Marys (1945)
- The Godfather Part II (1974)
- The Godfather Part III (1990)
Debatable (1991): Some people might count Silence of the Lambs as a sequel to 1986's Manhunter but we wouldn't as it was only really a sequel in book form (different studio, different filmmaking team) and the Academy had certainly not noted the existence of the Manhunter movie) - The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
- The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
- Toy Story 3 (2010)
- Mad Max: Fury Road (2015)
Debatable (2018): Some people might count Black Panther as a sequel since it was part of the overall Marvel Cinematic Universe and we'd met the character before in Captain America: Civil War but we think it's a gray area as that would make virtually all origin story movies of superheroes 'sequels' as we'd usually met the characters before.
As you can see The Academy isn't all that into sequels but they've adjusted to franchise world since more than half of the titles that did achieve this rare distinction were in the past 20 years.
Sam Shepard and Kim Basinger in "Fool for Love"
1985 Robert Altman's adaptation of Sam Shepards play Fool For Love, Andrei Konchalovsky's sleeper hit Runaway Train (3 Oscar nominations), and the comedy Spies Like Us all open in US movie theaters. The fantasy Young Sherlock Holmes (1 Oscar nomination) had opened two days earlier to get a headstart on the weekend.
2002 Spike Jonze's Adaptation, written by Charlie Kaufman, opens in limited release. It wouldn't go wide until February to capitalize on its Oscar nominations, including Best Supporting Actress which we discussed this past quarantine summer!
2013 Inside Llewyn Davis opens in limited release. Remember how fab Oscar Isaac was in that? I'll never forget that "Death of Queen Jane" scene. Or the ginger cat.
Today's Birthday (Swim) Suit
Iconic four time Oscar-nominated Agnes Moorehead, born on this day 120 years ago, and ready for some fun in the sun in Captain Blackjack (1950)
Other showbiz people celebrating birthdays today (actors unless otherwise noted): Stefanie Scott (24), Ashley Madekwe (39), Sarah Rafferty (42), Director Craig Brewer (49), Director/Producer Judd Apatow (57), Ulrich Thomsen (57), Emmy nominee Janine Turner (58), Oscar winning animator Nick Park (62), Comedian Steven Wright (65), Oscar nominee Tom Hulce (67), Oscar nominee JoBeth Williams (72), Director Shekhar Kapur (75)
Gone but not forgotten: Jack Fincher, screenwriter of Mank (now streaming on Netflix) and father of acclaimed director David Fincher born on this day in 1930.
Reader Comments (24)
I love the showbiz history posts... but do what you've gotta do for the site.
Oscar should have won an Oscar for Inside Llewyn Davis, such a great performance.
I always loved these posts also.
So it's a sad farewell.
I always read these. Don't always comment on them. Not sure why, but I do like them.
I also love these posts. Not really fodder to comment but entertaining to read.
I also really like these posts because they're such a grab-bag. You never know what will turn up. I mean, JoBeth Williams is an Oscar nominee?
I don't know what the criteria is for "return on investment" so do what you've got to do I suppose.
I love these post as well. There is a lot to debate so maybe that is why comments are few. However I think alot of people probably read them.
Do you think Oscar Isaac has missed his moment with the Academy? Obviously should've been nominated for ILD, but A Most Violent Year and Ex Machina should both has been close. Alas since then his choices have been either blockbusters, enjoyable cameos or outright duds.
Thanks for mentioning Young Sherlock Holmes, one of my earliest cinematic memories, I must go see if it's streaming anywhere.
It’s a shame that you are discontinuing this series. The historical posts on this site are one of the few things I tune in for. I guess I’ll have to go find somewhere else with Hollywood history if you do stop posting them.
Please no don't stop the historical post- people need more education on film history!
I too love the history posts! I maybe don't comment on them very often, but I always enjoy them. But do what you need to do - I bet they take a lot of work.
I like this bit about sequels and Best Picture. Only seven - and four of them from two film series.
Love. These. Posts.
The Bells of St Mary's is 100% better than Going My Way. For me it's a complete vindication of the studio system. Every individual element ranges from awful to offensive, but put them all together, and it's magic. And I'm convinced that Ingrid Bergman's incredible performance was just too brilliant for her own good - it stamped her image as the nun of our dreams (see The Magdalene Sisters) into the public consciousness, and led to America's shocking overreaction to the Rossellini scandal - I think many people thought they'd been had and were ready to form a kind of lynch mob against her.
Toy Story 3 is a masterpiece and the best of the series.
Marshako, Dave Paul, etcetera - thanks for your feedback. I think i want to continue them but they were meant as something cute like an appetizer for the day but they take so long that they've become like they're own giant task which defeats the intention since they aren't as read or commented on or what have you as say reviews or takes on specific topics would be.
so the answer is probably to rethink them and simplify / shorten.
I'll join in the chorus of loving these posts and will be really sorry to see them end. I read a lot of the various posts if they catch my eye but I make a point to read these every time even if I don't comment.
That's a marvelous picture of the magnificent Agnes Moorehead. Captain Blackjack is a fun, if undistinguished, little action flick that offered George Sanders one of his rare romantic leads (and in the same year he won the Oscar for All About Eve) which he carries off well. Agnes plays a rich adventuress with terrific zest and a great wardrobe.
I love these posts!
What sequel do you think wasn't nominated but should have? Empire Strikes Back, The Dark Knight, Before Sunset or Before Midnight, The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly, and Bride of Frankenstein come to mind.
I’d fully support shortening the Showbiz History posts and keeping them around! Big fan; they’re a great way to start the day.
Shorten if you must, but please don't abandon!
Young Sherlock Holmes is one of my most vivid memories of “childhood with cinema”. That haunting score, the perfect art direction, the nightmarish visual effects! It still impresses me these days.
I love these posts too, I enjoy the randomness of the topics and the mix of old and new cinema. I've also been known to make return visits to the posts if there's a birthday suit I like. Lol
I always read these history posts straight through and with great enjoyment. Sad you feel compelled to listen to 'some people' and end them.
you can't complain about how impossible it is to see old movies because of streaming and then turn around and deny us these fabulous bits of old-timey trivia
unless you're channeling the gut punch of f murray abraham after listening to the beautiful sound of isaac singing: "i don't see any money in it"
[i'm still furious that 'inside llewyn davis' was ignored in the major categories by ampas]
They're not a guarantee hit like Seasons of Bette pieces are, but I always enjoy reading these.
Nathaniel, have you seen Fool For Love? I have not but I bet Basinger is marvelous in it.
Michael -- i have seen it. But a million years ago on VHS in the late 80s so i dont really remember it but i do remember her being good in it.