Send us a text Bing Crosby was the most popular entertainer in the USA during the 1940's. His Academy Award in 1944 for GOING MY WAY was a coronation of that status. Although Crosby was a megastar, modern audiences might view his Oscar somewhat skeptically. In this episode, I speak about Crosby's amazing success in several media, and how his win is…

Send us a text Paul Lukas, a Hungarian-born actor, had a long Hollywood career, yet when he is remembered, it is mostly for a few supporting roles and one moment of Oscar glory. He took thje prize for his role as Kurt Müller, a German fighter in the anti-Nazi underground, in an adaptation of Lillian Hellman's play WATCH ON THE RHINE. In this episod…

Send us a text In this week's episode, Jimmy Cagney wins a well-deserved Academy Award for his role in YANKEE DOODLE DANDY, the first actor to win for a musical performance. All the more surprising, because Cagney was much better known for playing tough guys and gangsters. Nonetheless, he was almost always a live-wire on screen, and fun to watch!…

Send us a text Gary Cooper, one of Hollywood's most handsome leading men, won the first of his two Academy Awards for playing Alvin York, a much-decorated hero of World War I. this episode, we learn about the path that led Cooper to Hollywood, and how his Oscar victory coincided with the changing mood of America.…

Send us a text James Stewart, who won an Oscar for his comic role in THE PHILADELPHIA STORY, is one of the all-time greats, someone who deftly adapted a familiar on-screen personality to a wide range of characters. In this episode, I examine the volatile times when Jimmy got his Academy Award, and look at several of his iconic roles.…

Send us a text In 1939, one of the greatest years in film history, Robert Donat upset some formidable competitors (Gable! Stewart! Olivier!) to win an Oscar for portraying a kindly teacher in GOODBYE, MR. CHIPS. This week I look at Donat's life and career, and give some reasons that he is not as well-remembered as he should be.…

Send us a text This week The Best Actors explores the life and career of Spencer Tracy, who was the first lead actor win back-to-back Academy Awards for his performances in CAPTAINS COURAGEOUS and BOYS TOWN. You'll learn about his films, his struggles with many personal demons, his love affair with Katherine Hepburn, and his subtle acting style.…

Send us a text THE BEST ACTORS explores the life and career of Paul Muni, one of the 1930's most respected performers. A veteran of the Yiddish theater, Muni disappears into his characters, including his Oscar-winning role in THE STORY OF LOUIS PASTEUR. But is that a good thing? Let's discuss!Por Chuck Latovich

Send us a text Victor McLaglen, a member of John Ford's stock company, won his Oscar for his performance in the memorable movie, THE INFORMER. In this episode, I speak about McLaglen's globe-trotting life and career, which includes time as a muscleman and crossing paths with some historical personages.…

Send us a text Clark Gable's Oscar win for IT HAPPENED ONE NIGHT made him the biggest male movie star of the 1930's. An avatar of masculinity, he showed a warmer, funnier side of his personality in the movie, which became a huge, word-of-mouth hit. In this episode, we'll hear about Gable's life and career and the women who helped him and loved him …

Send us a text In Oscar's sixth year, the Best Actor award went to a brilliant over-actor, Charles Laughton for the surprisingly comic THE PRIVATE LIFE OF HENRY VIII. Despite struggles with self-esteem and his sexual orientation, Laughton worked for decades for directors like Lean, Kubrick, and Hitchcock. And he may be best remembered for a movie t…

Send us a text At the fifth Academy Awards, a tie occurred in the Best Actor category for the first and only time. In this episode, we hear about Wallace Beery as THE CHAMP and his miserable disposition, and Fredric March's watershed performance in the DR. JECKYLL AND MR. HYDE.Por Chuck Latovich

Send us a text The fourth Best Actor winner was Lionel Barrymore, a member of an acting dynasty that extends from the early 19th century to the present. Barrymore won for his work in A FREE SOUL. In this episode, I look at Barrymore's performance and career, as well as the year's contest and why it's connected to peanut butter.…

Send us a text George Arliss, who acted in the grand tradition of 19th century theater, won an Oscar for DISRAELI. Arliss's victory was marked by a number of firsts. We'll discuss his performance, his competition, and many other aspects of his career.Por Chuck Latovich

Send us a text Warner Baxter donned a sombrero and Latino accent to portray the Cisco Kid, the role that won him an Academy Award for Best Actor. The performance has not aged well. In this episode, we'll explore a film industry in transition to sound, whom Baxter competed against, and other facets of his career.…

Send us a text In this episode, we examine the career and Academy Award win of Emil Jannings, who won the first Best Actor Oscar for his work in THE LAST COMMAND and THE WAY OF ALL FLESH.Por Chuck