31 Days of Oscar: ‘Melodrama’

TCM, beginning at 6 p.m.

The deliciously heightened emotions, and exaggerated characters and plots, associated with movies in the melodrama genre can come o— as silly in unskilled hands. But when practiced creative professionals — on camera and behind it — put their talents toward these tales, they can become compelling enough to warrant Academy Award

nominations, as seen in tonight’s 31 Days of Oscar lineup of five titles on Turner Classic Movies. The acclaimed melodramas featured this evening are: 1954’s Magnificent Obsession (pictured) — one nomination, for Best Actress (Jane Wyman); Imitation of Life (1959) — two Best Supporting Actress nominations (Juanita Moore and Susan Kohner); Peyton Place (1957) — nine nominations, including Best Picture, Actress (Lana Turner), two Supporting Actor nods (Russ Tamblyn and Arthur Kennedy) and two Supporting Actress nods (Hope Lange and Diane Varsi); Dark Victory (1939) — three nominations: Best Picture, Actress (Bette Davis) and Original Score (Max Steiner); and Stella Dallas (1937) — two nominations: Best Actress (Barbara Stanwyck) and Supporting Actress (Anne Shirley). — Je Pfeier