The Oscar (1966)
After Ben-Hur, Stephen Boyd had a slew of bad luck; whether it was his agent, bad choices, or just typecasting because he was such an excellent villain, we’ll never really know. But when you see The Oscar, you get a glimpse of the career he could have had. He’s a very good actor when given the chance. However, Billy Rose’s Jumbo and Fantastic Voyage didn’t give him much of a chance.
In this movie, Stephen plays a typical actor: self-absorbed and willing to do anything to get ahead. I know that sounds harsh, but those who are drawn to the spotlight do so because they have an insatiable need for attention and “love”. Those who actually make it (instead of remaining waiters and waitresses) usually succeed because they were willing to do more than the person who didn’t get the part. If you’ve idolized your favorite stars and want to believe they are saints, you might want to steer clear of this movie. It’s an unflattering portrait, but unfortunately accurate.
Elke Sommer plays the woman hopelessly in love with Stephen, and, naturally, abused by his selfishness. Note to the ladies in the audience: don’t date an actor. I don’t care how cute he is – don’t do it! And you can learn a lesson from Jack Soo as well by not working for an actor, either. Tony Bennett makes his screen debut in this movie, as Stephen’s faithful pal. Unfortunately, he’s not a very good actor. I guess he deserves credit for not looking in the camera or bursting into giggles, but not for much else. And since he also narrates this drama, it does detract a bit. If a different actor had been cast as the sidekick, or if the narration had been cut out, Stephen could have shined a little more.
There are tons of cameos in this movie. Some play actors, studio heads, and others in show business, like Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Ernest Borgnine, Walter Brennan, James Dunn, Broderick Crawford, Jill St. John, Ed Begley, Edie Adams, Milton Berle, and Peter Lawford. Others play themselves, and it’s fun to see them “behind the scenes”: Merle Oberon, Hedda Hopper, Edith Head, Frank Sinatra, Joan Crawford, and of course, Bob Hope. You can’t have a movie about the Oscars without Bob Hope!
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Joseph Cotten movies here!
More Joan Crawford movies here!
More Merle Oberon movies here!
More Frank Sinatra movies here!
In this movie, Stephen plays a typical actor: self-absorbed and willing to do anything to get ahead. I know that sounds harsh, but those who are drawn to the spotlight do so because they have an insatiable need for attention and “love”. Those who actually make it (instead of remaining waiters and waitresses) usually succeed because they were willing to do more than the person who didn’t get the part. If you’ve idolized your favorite stars and want to believe they are saints, you might want to steer clear of this movie. It’s an unflattering portrait, but unfortunately accurate.
Elke Sommer plays the woman hopelessly in love with Stephen, and, naturally, abused by his selfishness. Note to the ladies in the audience: don’t date an actor. I don’t care how cute he is – don’t do it! And you can learn a lesson from Jack Soo as well by not working for an actor, either. Tony Bennett makes his screen debut in this movie, as Stephen’s faithful pal. Unfortunately, he’s not a very good actor. I guess he deserves credit for not looking in the camera or bursting into giggles, but not for much else. And since he also narrates this drama, it does detract a bit. If a different actor had been cast as the sidekick, or if the narration had been cut out, Stephen could have shined a little more.
There are tons of cameos in this movie. Some play actors, studio heads, and others in show business, like Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Ernest Borgnine, Walter Brennan, James Dunn, Broderick Crawford, Jill St. John, Ed Begley, Edie Adams, Milton Berle, and Peter Lawford. Others play themselves, and it’s fun to see them “behind the scenes”: Merle Oberon, Hedda Hopper, Edith Head, Frank Sinatra, Joan Crawford, and of course, Bob Hope. You can’t have a movie about the Oscars without Bob Hope!
Want to watch it? Click here to see it on ok.ru and thanks "Classic Movies Kristine Rose" for posting!
More Joseph Cotten movies here!
More Joan Crawford movies here!
More Merle Oberon movies here!
More Frank Sinatra movies here!