Best Supporting Actor 1964: Results

5. Edmond O'Brien in Seven Days in May- O'Brien has limited opportunities due to the nature of the film, but he still manages to realize his alcoholic senator quite well.

4. Lee Tracy in The Best Man- Tracy is good in showing the differences between his warm great facade, and his cynical side he shows behind close doors.

3. Stanley Holloway in My Fair Lady- Stanley Holloway gives a very enjoyable performance that is very entertaining, he also handles his songs incredibly well making them some of the best moments of the film.

2. John Gielgud in Becket- Gielgud although is in the film for less than ten minutes makes a sustainable impression instantly bringing Louis to life as a charismatic, humorous, and strong willed King.

1. Peter Ustinov in Topkapi- Good Prediction Dinasztie. This is a very good year actually with all of the nominees giving good performances. The best though is easily Peter Ustinov even though to be fair he had an advantage since he is the lead of his film. Ustinov nonetheless gives an absolutely hilarious performance, that makes Arthur Simpson a wonderful endearing character that is joy to follow through the film's story.

Deserving Performances:
George C. Scott in Dr. Strangelove
Frank Overton in Fail-Safe
Fredric March in Seven Days in May

Best Supporting Actor 1964: John Gielgud in Becket

John Gielgud received his first Oscar nomination for portraying King Louis VII of France in Becket.

John Gielgud portrays King Louis of France who actually is only in two scenes during the film. This is not a forgettable two scene performance though, and does give the most memorable supporting performance in the film. In his first scene he stands as an ally of sorts for Thomas Becket (Richard Burton) who is at odds with King Henry II (Peter O'Toole). He really makes himself an ally because anyone who makes a problem for Henry helps him since France and England stand at constant odds with one another.

Gielgud is always absolutely at ease with these sort of authority roles, which is quite necessary for the part since the film requires that Louis establishes himself as a King all in a single scene. Gielgud must have the Kingly presence right from the first moment because he is gone in the next. Gielgud though is a master of these sorts of character and has all of the qualities realized from his first scene. From the moment you see him you not only know he is the king, but also a strong willed King, just from the the way Gielgud looks and stands.

When he talks Gielgud only furthers his characterization of a jovial, quick witted King, who also always seems to be in charge of his affairs. Gielgud has the right command of his single scene, and does take over the scene as needed. In his one scene he is charming, he is funny, and he shows the experience of Louis when it comes to manners involving Henry, through his fairly casual manner he helps Becket undermine Henry as well as he is able to.

It is a great single scene performance that is perfectly placed within the film. His other scene really does not have much to it he just quickly brings Becket to meet Henry, although again Gielgud shows the strength and the intelligence of Louis. Gielgud certainly is not on screen for long, but he still leaves a nice impression after he has left the screen. Louis could easily have been a forgettable character, with a forgettable performance behind him, but Gielgud does his best to make the most of his relatively minor character.

Best Supporting Actor 1964

And The Nominees Were:

John Gielgud in Becket

Lee Tracy in The Best Man

Peter Ustinov in Topkapi

Stanley Holloway in My Fair Lady

Edmond O'Brien in Seven Days in May