How did Niven beat Paul Newman for the Oscar?
He actually trumped Newman's stellar work in Cat on a Hot Tin Roof! Like, wow!
shareYes, that is the correct answer.
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MovieChat Forums > Separate Tables (1959) Discussion > How did Niven beat Paul Newman for the O...
The Academy would never give Oscars to handsome, young leading men in those days. Even now they try mot to. Paul Newman didn't have to win for COAHTR, but Niven didn't either. Weak year.
shareElizabeth Taylor also deserved the Oscar. And Gigi shouldn't have won Best Picture.
shareI don't think Taylor or Newman's performances are that brilliant when looked at today. A bit over the top. Niven was nuanced and heartfelt and deserved to win over Newman. And Gigi certainly DID deserve to win best picture. It's an exquisite film. As for Susan Hayward who won best actress that year:talk about an overwrought performance that does NOT hold up today!
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Although I agree Niven was great, he should have won in Supporting, his character is no way in hell a lead, he's barely in the film
shareSKULLJOS is right......no way is NIVEN leading.
But beyond that.....I think the Academy has a history of using this particular category as a "Lifetime Achievement Award" instead of honoring the truly BEST actor of the year.
Think Gregory Peck, John Wayne, Henry Fonda - and I think that maybe what happened this year.
the best that you can do is fall in love
Excuse me but while you are correct in citing John Wayne, whose performance was the weakest of the five nominated in 1969, both Gregory Peck (in 1962) and Henry Fonda (in 1981) gave widely admired performances and won their Oscars on merit, NOT for their career's worth of work.
shareHow? His performance was much better. Newman's scenery chewing, one-note performance is laughable, superficial, and dull.
Please!
Niven is so good in this role that he is unrecognizable as David Niven. Same for Deborah Kerr. "Cat" was not one of Paul's best.
While Niven is excellent in the movie, today it would be considered a supporting role, which is the case in 'ensemble' casts. Also, it was speculated that he won to make up for his not being nominated for Around the 80 Days two years earlier.
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