Merry Christmas

Double Feature: Johnny Belinda (1948) and Lilies of the Field (1963)

Johnny Belinda:

In this Oscar-winning drama, a young doctor (Lew Ayres) teaches Jane Wyman's deaf/mute character Belinda to use sign language. However, things fall apart when Belinda winds up pregnant and becomes the town scandal.

The film received nominations for Best Picture, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actor (Charles Bickford), Best Supporting Actress (Agnes Moorehead), Best Screenplay, Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Film Editing, Best Score (Drama or Comedy), and Best Sound. Though Wyman deserved her Best Actress Oscar, Olivia de Havilland did give a better performance in The Snake Pit that year.

Lilies of the Field:

Sidney Poitier gives an Oscar-winning performance in this comedy-drama about a simple African-American man who helps build a chapel for a group of German nuns. Through his efforts, the locals pull together to complete the chapel, ensuring a sanctuary for future generations.

The film received nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Supporting Actress (Lilia Skala), Best Adapted Screenplay, and Best Cinematography. While the film is slightly dated, Poitier is very charismatic in this performance and deserved his Academy Award.

The Decades: 2000s

2000: Code Unknown

Oscar winner: Gladiator
Was this film nominated?: No

2001: A.I. Artificial Intelligence

Oscar winner: A Beautiful Mind

Was this film nominated?: No

2002: Spirited Away

Oscar winner: Chicago
Was this film nominated?: No

2003: Lost in Translation

Oscar winner: The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King
Was this film nominated?: Yes

2004: Before Sunset

Oscar winner: Million Dollar Baby
Was this film nominated?: No

2005: Cache

Oscar winner: Crash
Was this film nominated?: No

2006: Children of Men

Oscar winner: The Departed

Was this film nominated?: No

2007: The Diving Bell and the Butterfly

Oscar winner: No Country for Old Men
Was this film nominated?: No

2008: In Bruges

Oscar winner: Slumdog Millionaire
Was this film nominated?: No

2009: Summer Hours

Oscar winner: The Hurt Locker
Was this film nominated?: No

Updated: 8/28/14

The Decades: 1990s

1990: Close-Up

Oscar winner: Dances with Wolves

Was this film nominated?: No

1991: The Lovers on the Bridge

Oscar winner: The Silence of the Lambs

Was this film nominated?: No

1992: The Crying Game

Oscar winner: Unforgiven

Was this film nominated?: Yes

1993:  Three Colors: Blue

Oscar winner: Schindler's List
Was this film nominated?: No

1994: Three Colors: Red

Oscar winner: Forrest Gump
Was this film nominated?: No

1995: Casino

Oscar winner: Braveheart
Was this film nominated?: No

1996: Trainspotting

Oscar winner: The English Patient
Was this film nominated?: No

1997: L.A. Confidential

Oscar winner: Titanic
Was this film nominated?: Yes

1998: The Thin Red Line

Oscar winner: Shakespeare in Love
Was this film nominated?: Yes

1999: Eyes Wide Shut

Oscar winner: American Beauty
Was this film nominated?: No

Updated: 7/27/14