Best Supporting Actor 1959: Results

5. Ed Wynn in The Diary of Anne Frank- Ed Wynn although not the most memorable of the cast still gives a performance showing another honest portrait of a man living in a terrible situation, and he does add a little humor nicely enough when he can.

4. Robert Vaughn in The Young Philadelphians- Although Vaughn most gives functional work for the most of the film he makes up for it in two pivotal scenes where he nails the pain and trauma that his character is going through.

3. Arthur O'Connell in Anatomy of a Murder- O'Connell has a nice supporting turn offering a charming and warm presence in the film, and as well succeeds with the slightly more dramatic material also needed of him.

2. Hugh Griffith in Ben-Hur- Griffith is the comic relief purely and simply and he suceeds completely at being so. In his few scenes he successfully lightens the mood, and offers some much needed laughs for his film.

1. George C. Scott in Anatomy of a Murder- George C. Scott easily takes the win though in what one could almost argue is the simplest character of the nominees yet Scott makes it so he has the greatest impact out of all the nominees. His performance as Dancer is an intense piece of acting that absolute holds your attention on screen. Every second he has Scott makes the most of, and is the perfect rival for James Stewart in that film.

Deserving Performances:
Joseph Schildkraut in The Diary of Anne Frank
Stephen Boyd in Ben-Hur
Laurence Olivier in The Devil's Disciple
James Mason in North by Northwest

Best Supporting Actor 1959: Arthur O'Connell in Anatomy of a Murder

Arthur O'Connell received his second and final Oscar nomination for portraying Parnell Emmett McCarthy in Anatomy of a Murder.

Arthur O'Connell portrays somewhat washed up lawyer Parnell McCarthy who acts as a sort of supportive friend, and research to defense attorney Paul Biegler (James Stewart). He is an alcoholic fellow, but an apt legal mind although not a confidant one. O'Connell really gives a supporting performance that is the very definition of a supporting performance. Parnell just mainly supports Stewart's character throughout the film offering support, someone to talk to, advice, and his skills as a researcher, not much more than that.

O'Connell is absolutely appropriate for the role though without his not quite fatherly, but sort of elderly knowledge and warmth in equal quantities. O'Connell stay low key throughout the film never trying to stealing a scene from Stewart, but nor should he since he is suppose to be supporting Stewart first and foremost. O'Connell never attempts to take the spotlight in the film but does manage to show you can most certainly serve the film even if one is always more content to be around it.

O'Connell has a good chemistry with Stewart in all of their scenes together. They are natural and their is a certain warmness between them that work quite well, without ever bringing unneeded attention to their friendship which is only a very small aspect in the overall story. O'Connell always though acts as a brighter warmer side of this film without naturally without disrupting the tone of the rest of the film just through his natural charm.

Besides his chemistry with Stewart and his overall charm the only other pivotal part of his performance is his alcoholism and feelings of inadequacy. His struggle with these are especially short moments, and handled mostly only by small reactions, since as I said earlier O'Connell's Parnell is never really in the spotlight. O'Connell though despite the shortness of these moments, does convey both the fear, and eventual strength that lies in Parnell in a few short moments. This really is not a great performance, but it does act as a good supporting part to Stewart's great leading performance.

Best Supporting Actor 1959

And the Nominees Were:

Arthur O'Connell in Anatomy of a Murder

George C. Scott in Anatomy of a Murder

Hugh Griffith in Ben-Hur

Ed Wynn in The Diary of Anne Frank

Robert Vaughn in The Young Philadelphians

Best Supporting Actor 1955: Results

5. Joe Mantell in Marty- There is nothing wrong with Mantell's performance, but there just is not much to it either.

4. Arthur O'Connell in Picnic- O'Connell most certainly has a certain charm to his performance, and does not fall into the melodramatic overacting of some of his co-stars, but on a whole he still does not do anythign substantial.

3. Arthur Kennedy in Trial- Kennedy spends a little too much effort to be noticed in this film but having said that he still does give an effective performance.

2. Sal Mineo in Rebel Without a Cause- Mineo gives a very strong quiet performance, that conveys the troubles of his character without fault.

1. Jack Lemmon in Mr. Roberts- Good Predictions Eddie, and Moviefilm. Lemmon is my choice of the year with his very entertaining and enjoyable performance. It is very easy to do comedy like this poorly, but Lemmon hits all the right notes, as well manages to bring the more dramatic aspects of his performance to life as well as the comedic ones.

Best Supporting Actor 1955: Arthur O'Connell in Picnic

Arthur O'Connell received his first Oscar nomination for portraying Howard Bevans in Picnic.

Picnic is a very melodramatic film about a drifter Hal (William Holden) who visits a small Kansas town looking for work.

O'Connell plays one of the locals an older man who owns a store and is thinking over becoming married to one of the local school teachers Rosemary (Rosalind Russell). He is hesitant to give up bachelor life though. In fifties melodramas it is easy for one to give a rather melodramatic performance, or a very dull one. O'Connell thankfully though is a rarity in this situation and in this particular film as he does try his best to give a natural performance.

O'Connell's actual character is quite limited though in the scope of the film. Howard is there and shares small romantic scenes with Rosemary. O'Connell has descent chemistry with Russell even though it not especially special but it does manage to make their relationship believable. Howard past that just remains as the most sensible person who does not immediately jump to conclusions nor get all melodramatic all of sudden either.

O'Connell gives an appropriately charming performance, and never gets sucked up in the overacting or dullness that some of the other performers do in this film. I still cannot say that this is a great performance by any means though the part of Howard requires little of him in the very end. I will most certainly give him his due credit though as he does play Howard exactly as Howard should be portrayed.

Best Supporting Actor 1955

And the Nominees Were:

Sal Mineo in Rebel Without a Cause

Joe Mantell in Marty

Jack Lemmon in Mister Roberts

Arthur O'Connell in Picnic

Arthur Kennedy in Trial