Best Actress in a Supporting Role 1969: Ranking

5. Sylvia Miles in Midnight Cowboy

Sylvia Miles is quite funny in her single scene but her extremely brief screen-time as well as the broad nature of the scene itself prevent her from finding any sort of depth or poignance in her grotesque character.

Best scene: Cass finds out about Joe's motivations.

4. Goldie Hawn in Cactus Flower

Goldie Hawn has some awkward moments throughout the movie and her character's motivations especially in the beginning and at the end are poorly explained, but she still delivers a rather charming and entertaining turn with some occasionally touching moments.

Best scene: Toni sees Stephanie walking away with the kids.

3. Dyan Cannon in Bob & Carol & Ted & Alice

Dyan Cannon is by far the standout of the movie becoming the movie's heart: she nails both the comedic and dramatic scenes delivering an intelligent, surprisingly layered performance that grounds the whole movie.

Best scene: Alice visits the psychiatrist.

2. Susannah York in They Shoot Horses, Don't They?

Susannah York gives a truly mesmerizing portrayal of her character's mental and physical decay, beautifully deconstructing her glamorous image at the beginning of the movie and leading up wonderfully to her final, outstanding moment.

Best scene: Alice's breakdown in the shower.

1. Catherine Burns in Last Summer

I love York and Burns almost equally but Burns gives such a devastating performance I just couldn't resist giving her the top spot. Burns is raw, realistic and heartbreaking in her role: her big monologue midway through the movie is obviously the highlight but she's equally incredible in the remaining scenes, creating an incredibly haunting and sad character that stays with you even if the film does not.

Best scene: Rhoda opens up about her mother's death.

Honorable Omissions: The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie is mostly remembered for Maggie Smith's leading performance but Pamela Franklin's turn as Sandy should be just as acclaimed; Franklin conveys excellently her character's development over the years, showing how Miss Brodie's teachings are exactly what allows Sandy to gradually become a mature, indipendent person and to eventually stand up against her mentor: when this moment finally occur, though, Franklin does not make this a full triumph as she adds a heartbreaking touch of bitterness that comes from Sandy's realization of the loss of her innocence. It's a brilliant, three-dimensional performance and the final confrontation between Smith and Franklin is probably one of the most powerfully acted scenes ever. Despite having a technically one-note role, Celia Johnson is also extremely effective as the headmistress who disapproves of Miss Brodie and she is a perfect match to Smith in their scenes together - I particularly love her quick smile in her final scene as she finally achieves her goal. Simone Signoret is wonderful in Army of Shadows - she is warm, tender presence whenever she appears but she also brings the grit and strength needed for her role as a member of the French Resistance: she makes Mathilde an especially endearing character and her final reaction is heartbreaking. In the same movie, Marie-Christine Barrault is very good in her small role in My Night at Maud's, showing that there is more to her character than it first seems and completely earning her "revelation" scene (Françoise Fabian is terrific in the same movie and she's very borderline although for the time being I think I'd consider her leading). Diana Rigg is probably the best Bond girl ever in On Her Majesty's Secret Service, making Tracy an endearing, likeable and compelling presence: even if George Lazenby's performance is quite lacking, their chemistry is excellent. What I particularly admire about Rigg's performance is that she manages to make Tracy a character that is much more than just Bond's love interest and she makes her eventual demise truly devastating. Brenda Vaccaro makes the most out of her limited role in Midnight Cowboy thanks to her fantastic screen-presence and her beautiful chemistry with Jon Voight. Liv Ullmann gives a terrific depiction of her character's shattered emotional and mental state in The Passion of Anna and her scenes opposite Max von Sydow are beautifully acted on both ends; Bibi Andersson is also very memorable in the same movie giving a moving portrayal of her character's loneliness and regret. I didn't care very much for Marlowe but I thought Rita Moreno was the easy standout bringing the right amount of charm and mystery to Dolores and making her by far the most interesting character in the movie. She is even better in The Night of the Following Day: the movie is far from being good, but she delivers an uncompromising and raw portrayal of her character's addiction and brings a nice touch of unpredictability whenever she appears. Verna Bloom provides for Medium Cool's source of humanity: she gives a subtle, sweet, moving performance that reaches devastating heights in the movie's last half an hour and she makes the movie's disturbing ending all the more powerful.

The next year: 1957.

My Best Supporting Actress Ballot:

1. Pamela Franklin, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - 5/5
2. Catherine Burns, Last Summer
3. Susannah York, They Shoot Horses, Don't They? 
4. Simone Signoret, Army of Shadows - 4.5/5
5. Diana Rigg, On Her Majesty's Secret Service- 4.5/5
6. Verna Bloom, Medium Cool - 4.5/5
7. Liv Ullmann, The Passion of Anna - 4.5/5
8. Celia Johnson, The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie - 4.5/5
9. Rita Moreno, The Night of the Following Day - 4.5/5
10. Bibi Andersson, The Passion of Anna - 4/5