Matt's Big Oscar Challenge Day 97-98: Catch-up Part 6

Back to the 1940 ceremony which did have one of the strongest fields with Gone With the Wind beating films like The Wizard of Oz, Mr Smith Goes to Washington and Goodbye Mr Chips. The latter film features Robert Donat as inspirational teacher Mr. Chipping affectionally known as Mr Chips. The story takes place over 63 years from Chips coming to the all boys' school Brookfield Public School and sees Robert Donat giving a great Oscar winning performance as the man himself. During his time at the school, Chips faces resistance from the staff and governors, falls in love and tragically loses his wife in childbirth. The film looks at themes of authority, belonging and lost love and is very well made indeed.

Like Johnny Belinda, 1944 nominee For Whom The Bell Tolls was nominated for all four acting awards and did actually triumph in the Supporting Actress category. The film is an adaptation of Hemmingway's classic tale of a bridge being blown up during the war and stars Gary Cooper and Ingrid Bergman in the lead roles. But the two supporting performances from Akim Tamiroff as the treacherous Pablo and Katrina Paxinou as the motherly Pilar. While I film the film a bit long and laborious I thought Cooper was magnficent and also the scenes featuring the explosions were well made considering when the film was produced.