He was Oscar nominated for that three movies and for all three that was the only nomination. That tells something about
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Archived from the IMDb Discussion Forums — Peter O'Toole
Cleon29 — 12 years ago(December 16, 2013 06:32 AM)
He was Oscar nominated for that three movies and for all three that was the only nomination. That tells something about those performances1c84.
Is that some kind of record, too? I'm not such an expert for Oscars, but I really can't remember that some actor have 3 such nominations Anybody knows someone else? -
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MrEdnablackadder — 12 years ago(December 23, 2013 01:31 AM)
Yeah, it's incredible that Peter got all these noms and only the first three times it was for a Best Picture nominee. On the three aforementioned occasions he was the movie's only nom. I think it's further testament to his sheer ability: he never needed his movie to carry him to glory and he was always able to elevate the material he was given.
As a matter ofb68 fact, it's kinda surprising that he racked up all those noms, became known for having given some of the greatest performances of cinema and breathed life into its most unforgettable characters when he didn't work with too many great directors.
I believe David Lean is the only giant of cinema who directed him in an Oscar-nominated performance.Let's take a look at those who directed him in the other 7:
Peter Glenville (Becket)- a solid professional, but not a great of cinema. Still ranks quite high in the list, because this and "Summer and Smoke" were fine pieces of work.
Anthony Harvey (Lion)- "The Lion in Winter" is a very entertaining movie, but is largely made by the performances and overall feels like a lucky accident in Harvey's otherwise unremarkable career.
Herbert Ross (Mr.Chips)- did a few enjoyable movies, never rose to the status of great, not even in the Comedy department.
Peter Medak (Ruling Class)- A very hit and miss director, more miss than hit. The movie looks a bit dated this day, but it still has legs and a small cult following because of Peter's performance.
Richard Rush (The Stuntman)- The film looks like a rather dated operation as well, but it's still the pinnacle of Rush's career, a career where "The Colour of the Night" is the obvious nadir (although I seem to remember that he wasn't in good health at the same time and wasn't the only cultprit).
Richard Benjamin (My Favourite Year)- I think it's safe to say that he never received a great amount of admiration when he ventured behind the camera and for a good reason.
Roger Michell (Venus)- responsible for some of British cinema's most mediocre comedies, he arguably works better when he teams up with writer Hanif Kureishi. They made a little gem here. This year they also did the so-so "Le Weekend" together, which has its moments nevertheless.
So, I think that,most of the time, Peter has been able to galvanize these people and lead them to do career best work, as none of this movies is without its merits.
Apart from Lean, his other great directors include Bertolucci (The Last Emperor)and Wyler (How to Steal a Million). Unfortunately, Preminger, Huston and Richard Brooks didn't employ his talents for some of their best or most iconic works. There are a few other pros here and there, like Litvak or Peter Yates, but I don't think to remember any other heavyweights. I always felt he ought to work with more. Scorsese once called him the greatest actor on earth, think if they had worked together just once! Well, he's still a legend. As a matter of fact he's more legendary than 99% of his movies and this because of sheer talent, that's not an irrelevant achievement! -
Cleon29 — 12 years ago(December 23, 2013 08:24 AM)
You're absolutely right. My post is actually all about that how he was better than his movies most of the times. Do you happen to know some other actor with 3 or more Oscar nominations in movies with only that nomination? I bet mister O'Toole is the only one.
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MrEdnablackadder — 12 years ago(December 26, 2013 12:13 AM)
Right now, I can think of two cases in the Best Actress category:
Meryl Streep: Julie& Julia- One True Thing- The Bridges of Madison County- A Cry in the Dark
Bette Davis: The Star- Dangerous (win)- Of Human Bondage
Although in Bette's case, her nom for OHB was a write-in one, so you could argue if she got it at all.
I think Meryl can be compared to Peter is some ways: considered by many the greatest actress who has ever lived, she's unsurpassable in terms of sheer talent, yet most of her films just work as vehicles for her abilities and serve no real purpose in film history. Although "Bridges" is one of the few great ones she did and deserved much more.
Off top of my head I can't remember any other male actor with a similar track to Peter's: I'm thinking of those who got an awful lot of noms (Nicholson, Olivier, Tracy, Newman, Lemmon, Brando, Burton etc..) and it wasn't the case with them. If one searches thoroughly, there may be other cases, though. -
fa7999 — 11 years ago(August 02, 2014 06:35 PM)
Jessica Lange was nominated for best actress for: Country, Sweet Dreams, Music Box and Blue Sky. All only nominations from the film.
Throw in Frances where she and Kim Stanley (support actress nominee) as well.