How Green is My
Valley, Blossoms in the Dust, , Here comes Mr. Jordan, Hold Back the Dawn, The Little Foxes, The Maltese Falcon, One Foot
in Heaven, Sergeant York, Suspicion, and Citizen Kane—these were the Best Picture nominees for the 1942
Academy Awards. And while Citizen Kane
would win two Oscars that evening, How
Green is My Valley would walk away with Best Picture. Yet, it is Citizen Kane that has become heralded
as a Cinematic Masterpiece. It’s usually listed in any top-100 film list and is
featured as a top- ten choice in several
others. Some might say that Citizen
Kane is the rightful holder of Best Picture by sheer merit.
But look back at the nominee list. The
Maltese Falcon and Alfred Hitchcock’s Suspicion have also become well-known
landmarks in film. This is why I enjoy investigating films that have been
nominated by the Academy. Sure, the winners are worth watching, but true
treasure can be found in the nomination list. One of my other favorites
nominated in 1942 is Sergeant
York. It might not be the must-see that Citizen Kane is,
but I found it an extremely entertaining film.
