And the Winner is — 1948

 Our family is working our way through Oscar winners and whichever nominees take our fancy. Also as they are available, since some films are hard to find. 

Because we'd seen these before, we didn't rewatch the winner, Gentleman's Agreement, or two other nominees - Miracle on 34th Street and The Bishop's Wife. However, there were two others we were interested in. How did they fare in our estimation? See below!

WINNER

A journalist pretends to be Jewish to research an exposé on the widespread antisemitism in New York City and affluent nearby communities.

This was controversial in its day and back when we saw it we thought it charmingly old fashioned. Sadly, since then the ugly head of anti-Semitism has reared its head again, although by no means entirely under wraps as the movie portrays. A social issue movie that the Academy couldn't resist.

 NOMINEES

A classic for a reason. Natalie Wood really shines as the cynical, modern kid who doesn't believe in fairy tales ... or Santa Claus.

When Dudley, an angel, is sent to help a bishop regain his vocation the bishop begins to believe that Dudley is there to replace him, both at work and in his family’s affections, as Christmas approaches.

A minor classic and a really fun Christmas movie with great actors all hitting their marks just right.

A man is murdered, apparently by one of a group of soldiers just out of the army. But which one? And why?

Anti-Semitism was a huge theme that year, understandably so since the Holocaust and WWII was fresh in people's minds. This was a B-movie, noir style, and tolerable but not great. Stick with the winner for a much better, nuanced movie on the topic.

In this Dickens adaptation, orphan Pip discovers through lawyer Mr. Jaggers that a mysterious benefactor wishes to ensure that he becomes a gentleman.

Called by many critics the best of all Dickens movie adaptations. We truly enjoyed this and it should have won Best Picture. I especially enjoyed Alec Guiness as Herbert Pocket. He was like an early Bertie Wooster. It made me want to reread the book.

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All the Oscar viewing is here.