Category: Best Writing

When a previously undetonated bomb explodes in the London area of Pimlico, documents are discovered, amongst a trove of other riches, that declare the area to actually be owned by the House of Burgundy. The newly established Burgundians soon discover that they no longer are subjected to British restrictions which brings about a battle with the British government. This is delightfully charming and funny in a very British manner. It’s now one of my favorite Ealing Studios films from this era. 

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay

After his young wife dies, vaudevillian Bob Hope decides to incorporate his seven children into his act. It’s a pretty standard film biopic with a standard loose adherence to the real-life story. While appealing as a lead, Hope seems a bit old for the role. The narration is grating at times, but it is clever that the second oldest in the real Foy family was cast as the narrator. The most memorable bit in the whole film is a scene with James Cagney reprising his role as George M. Cohan. The two banter and dance well together as two veteran performers.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay

In the early days of the Nazi regime, the Essenbecks are a German family of rich and powerful industrialists whose members have differing loyalties to the new government. It is not long after the Reichstag fire before the conflicts within the family leads to intrigue and murder that happens in parallel to the violence happening in their own country. There’s a bit of a Shakespearean tragedy to the whole work, but told through a twistedly perverse lens. It’s an extremely excessive production from its lavish sets to its grotesque violence and even to its extra run time.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Material Not Previously Published or Produced

There is probably not a better example of tender, homey Americana than this film. Henry Fonda is the young Abraham Lincoln, beginning before he even became a lawyer to one of his early defense cases involving a murder. I wouldn’t have necessarily thought Fonda would make a good Lincoln, but I was thoroughly impressed with his portrayal. He brings an intelligent, folksy charm to the characterization, similar to what I’d expect from James Stewart, while managing to physically look similarly to the most popular images of Lincoln. The story was quite interesting in telling a lesser known part of Lincoln’s biography.

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Original Story

When New York millionaire, Charles Ruggles, leaves the city for the winter, wandering drifter Victor Moore and his adorable dog move in. This year is different as Moore fills the house with others who are down on their luck, including a group of former soldiers and Ruggles’s entire estranged family. Ruggles and Ann Harding as his ex-wife provide quit a bit of heart where it’s apparent that they still have feelings for each other despite the other stuff getting in the way. There’s a bit of mistaken identity hijinks and some odd jumps in character tone, but overall it’s a sweet Christmastime tale where the Haves learn that perhaps the Have-Nots actually have more.  

Oscar Nomination: Best Writing, Original Story