Rosalind Russell, Mourning Becomes Electra

as LAVINIA MANNON

According to Inside Oscar, it was the great Oscar publicist Henry Rogers who, fresh off two consecutive successful Oscar campaigns for Joan Crawford and Olivia de Havilland, singled out Rosalind Russell's performance in Mourning Becomes Electra as his Chosen One for 1947. Why? Because the role of Lavinia was the juiciest offering of the contenders. It's interesting then, that all the fuss which surrounds this performance--that of Rosalind Russell standing up just before it was revealed that Loretta Young was the true Best Actress winner, in turn forever marking the victory as one for the ages in Oscar Upset History--is more of a byproduct of a PR man and less-so rooted in the actual merit behind Russell's work. After all - reviews of the film aren't exactly praising her, and the film itself was a big flop at the box office.

Rosalind Russell, Sister Kenny

as ELIZABETH KENNY

Won: Golden Globe Award - Best Actress

It's Rosalind Russell as a nurse!! It's the female The Story of Louis Pasteur (or companion piece to Madame Curie??)!! That just about sums up my viewing experience of Sister Kenny. And I'd like to preface this by saying that by no means do I want to diminish the legacy of trailblazing nurse Elizabeth Kenny; but Sister Kenny the film is formulaic oatmeal. It runs too long, its story too conventional and too outdated, with that old-Hollywood touch that makes it another film in a library of sappy 'prestige' biopics that mean well but stink of mediocrity.

Rosalind Russell, My Sister Eileen

as RUTH SHERWOOD

After having thoroughly enjoyed Rosalind Russell's comedic turns in both The Women and His Girl Friday (performances which I feel should have landed her Oscar nominations), I had a decent amount of excitement in store for the film that actually did land Russell her first nomination--My Sister Eileen is a light-hearted and easy watch, though nothing particularly outstanding, as demonstrated by the fact that google searches will lead you to more hits on the 1955 remake than this '42 original. I did find the film and Russell to be enjoyable, though having seen better films and better performances from her, this one reads as a consolation "Welcome to the club!" nod than one of actual excellence.