Considered by many one of Joseph L. Mankiewicz’s lesser films, The Barefoot Contessa is a classy, intelligently written, and generally well acted morality tale. Partly inspired by the life of Rita Hayworth (née Margarita Cansino), the film’s plot revolves around the tragic fate of Maria Vargas, a great, earthy beauty who becomes a Hollywood movie star.
Besides Jack Cardiff’s beautiful cinematography and Mario Nascimbene’s melancholy score, The Barefoot Contessa offers Ava Gardner in top form – both as a star and as an actress. Humphrey Bogart offers solid support as a film director, while director-screenwriter Joseph L. Mankiewicz (All About Eve, 5 Fingers, Sleuth) handles the proceedings with his usual sophisticated flair.
Best Film
The Barefoot Contessa – dir. & Scr.: Joseph L. Mankiewicz
Hobson’s Choice – Dir.: David Lean; scr: Norman Spencer & Wynard Browne
Johnny Guitar – Dir.: Nicholas Ray; scr: Philip Yordan
On the Waterfront – Dir.: Elia Kazan; Scr.: Budd Schulberg
Royal Affairs in Versailles / Si Versailles m’était conté – dir. & Scr.: Sacha Guitry
Seven Brides for Seven Brothers – Dir.: Stanley Donen; scr: Frances Goodrich & Albert Hackett
Woman’s World – Dir.: Jean Negulesco; Scr.: Claude Binyon, Russel Crouse, Howard Lindsay, Mary Loos & Richard Sale
Best Actress
Joan Crawford – Johnny Guitar
Dorothy Dandridge – Carmen Jones
Doris Day – Young at Heart
Brenda de Banzie – Hobson’s Choice
Ava Gardner – The Barefoot Contessa
Judy Garland – A Star Is Born
Judy Holliday – It Should Happen to You
Judy Holliday – Phffft!
Jane Powell – Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Eva Marie Saint – On the Waterfront
Jane Wyman – Magnificent Obsession
Best Actor
Humphrey Bogart – The Caine Mutiny
Charles Laughton – Hobson’s Choice
John Mills – Hobson’s Choice
Best Supporting Actress
June Allyson, Woman’s World
Ethel Barrymore, Young at Heart
Claudette Colbert, Royal Affairs in Versailles
Mercedes McCambridge, Johnny Guitar
Kim Novak, Phffft!
Thelma Ritter, Rear Window
Margaret Rutherford, The Runaway Bus
Barbara Stanwyck, Executive Suite
Best Supporting Actor
Lee J. Cobb, On the Waterfront
Sacha Guitry, Royal Affairs in Versailles
Fredric March, Executive Suite
Edward Underdown, Beat the Devil
Clifton Webb, Woman’s World
Best Cinematography
Jack Cardiff, The Barefoot Contessa
George J. Folsey, Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
Jack Hildyard, Hobson’s Choice
Boris Kaufman, On the Waterfront
Milton Krasner, Desirée
Joseph LaShelle, River of No Return
Ted McCord, Young at Heart
Otello Martelli, La Strada
Franz Planer, The Caine Mutiny
Jun Yasumoto, Samurai / Miyamoto Musashi
Best Original Score
Mario Nascimbene, The Barefoot Contessa
Nino Rota, La Strada
Frank Skinner, Magnificent Obsession
Victor Young, Johnny Guitar & Three Coins in the Fountain