Burt Lancaster - Elmer Gantry

The latest addition of Best Actor Winnners

Year: 1960
Actor: Burt Lancaster
Film: Elmer Gantry
Director: Richard Brooks
Role: Elmer Gantry

Other Nominees:
Trevor Howard - Sons and Lovers
Jack Lemmon - The Apartment
Laurence Olivier - The Entertainer
Spencer Tracy - Inherit the Wind

Burt Lancaster was one of the most popular stars of the 50's and 60's, so it only made sense that once the right role and year came that he would win Oscar.  That time came in 1960 in Elmer Gantry.  Lancaster slips comfortably into the title role and charismatically carries the movie.  Lancaster's charm serves him well in winning supporting actress winner Jean Simmons over and winning coverts to his "ministry."

However, this one of the many examples of Oscar handing an Oscar to a charming performance.  Rarely does the award go to a more subtle nuanced performance.  That's not to cut down on Lancaster's win here, but both Lemmon and Tracy gave stronger performances in their respective films.  Of course Tracy had two wins to his name and Lemmon had won a few years earlier, so it was time to give Lancaster his due.

Other Wins and Nominations:
Best Foreign Actor Nomination: BAFTA
Best Actor Drama: Golden Globes
Best Actor: NYFCC