Well said Pantelis! I agree!

I have reached the conclusion that the Academy and other major institutions have a twisted relationship with the past from today's point of view. If something isn't aligned with the vibe of these tasteless times, it doesn't have a place in today's mainstream media, with few exceptions. This can result in entertainers who appealed to other generations, filmmakers, composers, and all kinds of artists being overshadowed by contemporary trends.

The really glorious golden age -and even talented performers that continue to exist in every era- fail to attract recognition. Now, recognition is limited to a few superstars who do one movie every three years and two ads in the meantime to make a living. Legends like Bing Crosby, Gary Cooper, James Cagney, and Frank Sinatra worked hard for many decades, but that is no longer deemed necessary. One or two successes and that's it—famous for being famous.

Of course, there are still many of talented technicians, producers, actors, directors, etc., but they do not have a chance to shine. The collapse of the studio system didn't affect the quality of the movies immediatly; the decades after it (1948 was the year) the movies continued to thrive. However, a genie was out of the bottle. Decade after decade, Hollywood fell apart, and quality became something rare by the end of the century. I do not say that there are no good movies, TV series, or music being created nowadays they are not the rule.

We are fewer left in each generation who can still appreciate genuine talent and great artistry and that's a gift missed by so many. Sorry for the lenght of the post. 

Last edited by Pantelis Kavouras (05/3/2025 10:11 pm)

You have a point there, you cannot love someone that you are not exposed to. Although I discovered Bing Crosby alone, I always knew who he was. We had a Christmas CD with his songs playing daily during Christmas since I was born. My grandfather introduced me to the world of classical music and opera, while my parents and my grandmother introduced me to the wonderful movies of old Hollywood.The very first pictures I saw when I was 2 or 3 were almost all black and white, so I already had a diversified taste that allowed me to develop a personal taste and a sense of appreciation for artistic work that was not mainstream. I saw half of John Ford's films in kindergarten, and I just adored growing up and seeing all the great actors of the golden age (I do not dare to mention names, it is impossible for me to make a short list). But I had broader option when i decided the music and the movies that I loved. I do not say that they do not make good music or good movies nowadays, but most certainly, the mainstream quality of the previous century was incomparably superior. Bing is lucky that at least his Christmas music remains dominant on the general public so new generations can discover him.

Blonde56 wrote:

Pantelis, I love John Ford movies too! John Wayne movies. I love so many movies and stars from the 20's up until the 80's. Then things started to get boring. Oh sure there is still some good stuff around but not on the same level. I guess we agree on this. Others may feel the opposite and that is fine. To each their own. Thanks Pantelis!

 

He is my favorite director Carmela! I have seen all his movies with John Wayne and my favorite was Fort Apache (the first I saw) although Searchers must be the greatest picture ever made in all genres. Ford and Wayne really did some great classics like She Wore a Yellow Ribbon, Rio Grande, Stagecoach that Bing Crosby did a remake in 1966, though Bing did a great job portraying the Doc Boone one of his finest acting jobs ever, there were many good actors involved like Ann-Margret, Van Heflin, Bob Cummings, Stefanie Powers etc. but the movie is not favorable compared to the original. Also, I believe that the Ford locations were spectacular, the Monumental Valley in the Navajo country in Arizona. Is a lifetime dream to go there one day. I just adored all those movies I have seen them hundreds of times literally.

Unfortunately Kathryn Crosby as well as other mentioned like Linda Lavin and Martin Mull were not bigger movie stars. Due to time restraints, they leave off minor actors and actresses.

David, you have a real point when it comes to time restraints here. I previously viewed the Academy's 2025 "In Memoriam" tribute on YouTube weeks after the show. Admittedly, I never see the ceremony during transmission due to my pure and blameless lifestyle, where each night I'm put to bed before 5pm.

I must confess, Pantelis and Carmela- although lovely for it not to have been, I wasn't at all surprised with the omission of Mrs Crosby-Sullivan - when you remind us of those even higher billed names, subsequently gathered during the previous twelve months and also neglected. I was indeed quite taken aback with the exclusion of Mitzi Gaynor in particualr who was a blazingly talented, consistently headlining international popular film star and a considerable household name of her time. As Pantelis and Carmela have also articulately pointed out and with admirable passion (oh John Ford be praised!), a number of these omissions suffer from this seemingly morbid condition of "recency". Might there soon be a medical antidote for this - along with another for my ever rabid verbosity? 

I'm only guessing that along with David's comments, might it also be fair to guess that the Academy would also perhaps be associating our late and most lamented fair lady more with her first husband's big screen achievements than her own? Is there anyone out there in TV Land able to inform if "Oscar" was already similarly saluting many of its departed in the year of Bing's farewell - and how did he fare? 

Last edited by Ian Kerstein (20/3/2025 9:35 pm)