I agree that Beatrice Straight's Oscar win is a bit of a mystery, especially considering that she has just one big scene. But the performance (as brief as it is) holds up.
Interestingly, Talia Shire had won nearly all of the critics awards in the Best Supporting Actress category, but then she was nominated for Best Actress for "Rocky" (losing to Faye Dunaway) instead of Best Supporting Actress (which she almost certainly would have won). This incident is a foreshadowing of many Oscar races today, especially in these categories.

I'm watching her now and I think she is amazing.
Fury, anger and sudden acceptance even gentle tears and laughter. Wow.

Don't be ridiculous, she was brilliant!

They should rather take it away from Rocky. Now that win was a travesty!
Elaine Benes, Queen of Debauchery

Her acting was phenomenal. Her main scene was so compelling. A worthy and deserving Oscar winner.

While I wouldn't necessarily have voted for her ahead of Piper Laurie or Jodie Foster, i do feel that Straight and (especially) William Holden bring a much-needed 'grounding' to Network, a respite from The relentless scenery-chewing of some of the other actors. It's been a long time but I recall Straight's brief performance as genuinely touching - and in this day and age, with supporting Oscars so often given to big stars or co-leads, it's nice to remember a time when a genuine character actress in a truly supporting role could win the award.

I thought her acting was fantastic and in a vacuum, the scene is a majestic piece of domestic drama. Unfortunately, it doesn't fit with the rest of the film tonally.
My top 250:
http://www.flickchart.com/Charts.aspx?user=SlackerInc&perpage=250

Big Piper Laurie booster?

just out of curiosity, who would you have given it to that year? Jodie Foster?

I know, that's why I listed the dates she lived. If you don't care, why did you start the thread?

Who cares? She's dead.

You'll have to pry it from her cold, dead hands..literally.
Beatrice Straight
(19142001)