Saw this movie for the first time yesterday on TCM and did some research on Wikipedia afterward. Apparently Tom Courtenay, the guy who played Pasha, was nominated for the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor? I can't believe Rod Steiger wasn't nominated. His performance was much deeper and interesting than Courtenay's.
shareI liked both very much,but I agree that Steiger should have definetly been nominated (and won)
shareI don't by any means wish to denigrate Steiger's excellent performance, but Courtenay was very deserving of his nomination. He has such an extraordinary intensity and screen presence that he dominates his segment of the film, and his absence is deeply felt towards the end.
"I shall tread uncommon wary and keep my pepperbox handy."
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They've NEVER been keen on double nominees. It's happened very rarely. The only people I can remember that were doubly nominated for any category would be Oliver Stone, Al Pacino, Jaime Foxx, and Cate Blanchett. Though I'm sure I'm missing some people.
shareRod Steiger got nominated that year for Best Actor for THE PAWNBROKER. Under the Academy rules after the early days, you can only get one nomination per category.
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"Why do people always laugh in the wrong places?"
--Kevin Bacon
Also, if Steiger was nominated EVERY time he gave a brilliant performance, he'd've led the pack.
"Be sure you're right, then go ahead."
Davy Crockett
Rod Steiger probably gave the best performance in the whole film. Such a complex character -- you hate him the moment he steps into the door, and yet, he's the most fascinating one to watch, and he's not entirely wrong on some things (he foresaw the terrible marriage to Pasha). And for all his deplorable behaviors and sick appetites, there's a spark of flowing intelligence and worldly experience behind Komarovsky's eyes and voice.
I'm glad Steiger was still nominated that year (for The Pawnbroker), so at least there was some recognition for his acting talent that year.