They Weren't Even Nominated!! Best Supporting Actress Nominees that Never Were...

-This year's race for Best Supporting Actress was rather interesting with regards as to which actresses would make up the final five nominees. Some were sure Julianne Moore would get in for her turn in A Single Man, which was unlike anything she had ever turned in before, while others expected at least one of the ladies from Inglorious Basterds to score a nomination. While none of them made it into the final five, their snubs are just the latest in a long line of overlooked performances. The Academy has been faced with a great number of supporting actress performances over the years that have stood out, yet not quite enough to be considered worthy of a nomination. To pay tribute to some of these great performances, here are 7 past supporting actress turns that were excellent on the screen, yet didn't even get a nomination...

1940s:

-Lucille Ball for The Big Street (1942) instead of Agnes Moorehead for The Magnificent Ambersons

-The future comedy legend was truly remarkable as a sought after nightclub singer who takes the world around her for granted until a devastating accident leaves her handicapped. There's no trace of the carefree and whimsical Lucy in this film whatsoever. Instead, the audience sees Ball as an accomplished actress, playing a character that is not necessarily likable, yet still somehow elicits sympathy. It was a worthwhile performance worthy of more recognition than it got.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5ljzn3BxIZ4

1950s:

-Marlene Dietrich for Stage Fright (1950) instead of Hope Emerson for Caged

-Not many remember Hitchcock's first entry in the decade 0f the 50s, but the theatrical murder mystery Stage Fright is not only a worthy entry into the cannon of 50's Hitchcock, but also features one of Dietrich's greatest turns on screen. As a vain stage legend who persuades an admirer to cover up her husband's murder, Dietrich literally steals the show. Dietrich plays her character as not just vain, but in a way also philosophical and surprisingly level-headed. As with most roles she was offered, Dietrich plays a woman who is captivating and intimidating and she does it well.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_7u3wyxjTaQ

1960s:

-Ethel Merman for It's a Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad World (1963) intead of Joyce Redman for Tom Jones

-Ethel Merman has gone down in history as a stage legend, but her broad, comic turn in Stanley Kramer's all-star farce bears no trace of the Merman that came before. Merman plays Milton Berle's domineering mother-in-law who, like everyone else in the film, is after a suitcase full of money hidden somewhere in California. Her consistent whining, nagging, and outright bullying would definitley get to be tiresome after a while, yet the actress' comic timing is excellent enough that she ilicits laughs throughout her entire performance.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ee3CPfH2O_I

1970s:

-Jane Fonda for California Suite (1978) instead of Penelope Milford for Coming Home

-While her costar Maggie Smith's worthy performance went on to win the Oscar for this film, Jane Fonda's turn in this Neil Simon ensemble is the true stand out. Fonda plays a divorcee who travels from New York to Los Angeles to reunite with her ex-husband (Alan Alda) to discuss their daughter's future. This is perhaps one of Fonda's best onscreen moments. As a woman who has not been able to completely let go of her bitterness toward the past, the actress projects an air of self-control coupled with emotional fragility that is impeccable. Its not often one sees this kind of Jane Fonda.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F9KsZHMxzw8

1980s:

-Ally Sheedy for The Breakfast Club (1985) instead of Amy Madigan for Twice in a Lifetime

-The Breakfast Club was one of the seminal films of the 1980s. The story of a group of diverse high schoolers forced to spend an etire Saturday together in detention resonated with many teenagers who saw themselves in at least one of the now iconic characters. Without a doubt the most unique amongst the group was Sheedy's Allison. As the slient, all-black wearing, reclusive outcast, Sheedy represented a girl wise beyond her years whose outlook on life was decidedly bleak, but somehow optimistic with regards to the possibilities she could have outside of high school. Its one of Sheedy's most famous roles, and by far, her most touching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OaLJPjLIdRQ

1990s:

-Isabella Rossellini for Death Becomes Her (1992) instead of Joan Plowright for Enchanted April

-I imagine it would be hard to try and stand out in a film when your entire role consists of scenes opposite Meryl Streep and Bruce Willis. Yet Rossellini manages to quite easily as a mysterious enchantress in this dark comedy. As a madonna-like figure who holds the key to eternal youth, Rossellini is positively captivating. Oozing sexuality and dispersing romantic notions of the bilssfulness of youth while possessing an air of control, Rossellini is without question, at her greatest. Its a shame the film was so heavily edited that the actress' role consists of mainly two large extended scenes. But memorable, they are.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fN3L7umTdTU

2000s:

-Michelle Pfeiffer for White Oleander (2002) instead of Catherine Zeta-Jones for Chicago

-Pfeiffer did some of her best work in this female-driven ensemble drama about a young girl's struggle with her dangerous mother. Pfeiffer plays a single mother/artist who kills her last boyfriend after their relationship ends causing her to be sent to prison, but is still able to maintain a hold on her teenage daughter. This is without question one of the actress' most complex roles. As Ingrid, Pfeiffer plays a woman who truly loves her child, but who manipulates that love and uses it as a weapon against her daughter. Her love and need for control knows no bounds as she is willing to silently destroy anyone she feels is trying to take her child away from her. Its a Pfeiffer that is both chilling and heartbreaking.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=An6T_66uHLI

Tomorrow...Best Supporting Actor!!