And the Nominees Aren’t – The 10 Worst Oscar Nomination Total Snubs of All Time

Posted on January 24, 2025 by Phil Hall

Yesterday’s Academy Award nominations generated the annual debate over who was nominated and who was snubbed. But when it comes to Oscar snubs, a surprisingly large number of classic films were ignored by Academy voters.

In my humid opinion – yes, humid, because I don’t do humble – here are my picks for the 10 films that were shockingly denied access to Academy Award nominations. Mercifully, none of these films suffered in reputation for lacking acknowledgement for Oscar consideration.
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The Bootleg Files: Gentlemen Marry Brunettes

Posted on March 22, 2024 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 858: “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” (1955 musical starring Jane Russell and Jeanne Craig).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube and DailyMotion.com.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: None.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: Most likely because of music rights clearance problems.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely.

Despite its similar title, the vaguely identical plot involving two American showgirls in Paris and the presence of Jane Russell, the 1955 “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” is not a sequel to the 1953 “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes.” Yes, the source material – Anita Loos’ 1927 novel “But Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” – is a sequel to her 1925 “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes,” but the film does not use the plot of the Loos book.

Indeed, the two films should not be mentioned in the same breath. “Gentlemen Prefer Blondes” is one of the greatest musical comedies of all time – a witty, stylish, rollicking classic that offered Russell and Marilyn Monroe their best screen roles. “Gentlemen Marry Brunettes” doesn’t come close to the first production’s greatness at any level.
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Oscars, Shmoscars: 10 Classic Films That Didn’t Receive An Academy Award Nomination

Posted on March 25, 2022 by Phil Hall

This coming Sunday, movie lovers will be watching the Academy Awards telecast and betting on which films and creative artists will take home the celebrated prize. Oddly, the history of the Oscars is heavy with classic works that failed to snag a single nomination – and the reasons for the omissions are among the great mysteries of movie history.
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The Art of Marilyn Monroe

Posted on March 11, 2019 by Phil Hall

What can be said about Marilyn Monroe that hasn’t already been said? In this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” actor/writer Joe Mannetti shares a distinctive view of Marilyn Monroe’s talent and film canon, creating a provocative challenge to the stereotypes associated with her life.

The episode can be heard here.

Jane Russell: A Tribute

Posted on December 10, 2018 by Phil Hall

Jane Russell’s stardom was engineered by Howard Hughes’ fervid imagination, and her initial publicity overemphasized her remarkable physique. But she was a genuinely talented performer adept at light comedy and melodrama. In this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” actor/writer Joe Mannetti returns to offer a tribute to Jane Russell’s iconic place in Hollywood history.

The episode can be heard here.

The Bootleg Files: The Apple-Knockers and the Coke

Posted on November 30, 2018 by Phil Hall

BOOTLEG FILES 663: “The Apple-Knockers and the Coke” (1948 stag film).

LAST SEEN: On YouTube.

AMERICAN HOME VIDEO: Not believed to be included in any commercial release.

REASON FOR BOOTLEG STATUS: A naughty film that circulated underground for decades.

CHANCES OF SEEING A COMMERCIAL DVD RELEASE: Not likely at this time.

For a number of years, rumors circulated that Marilyn Monroe appeared in pornographic movies. Much of the fuel for that belief came from her 1949 nude calendar art photo shoot, for which she only received $50. After all, if the great MM could disrobe for a still photographer during the period when she was a struggling actress, why wouldn’t she go one step further and go clothing-free for an adult film?
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The Marx Brothers in Love Happy

Posted on February 26, 2018 by Phil Hall

The Marx Brothers’ final feature film was the 1949 comedy “Love Happy,” and the story behind the creation of this cinematic swan song was more astonishing than the on-screen antics. In this episode of “The Online Movie Show,” Kevin Scott Collier, author of “The Marx Brothers Love Happy Confidential,” details the film’s tumultuous production and release history, while providing insight in how Marilyn Monroe landed her scene-stealing role.

The episode can be heard here.

“The Online Movie Show” is produced at the Platinum Wolfe Studios.