1928-29 – Bessie Love
The Broadway Melody
Alright, this is actually the 4th time I have seen this movie, and this time I was paying close attention to Bessie Love’s performance. I was trying to analyze the role itself, Love’s skills in portraying the character, the range of her emotions, her commitment to the drama, her understanding of the story. In light of that, I think she absolutely deserved the nomination. Furthermore, I think she must have given the winning actress a real run for her money. Bessie Love really did a fantastic job!
She played the character of Hank, one half of a sister act with dreams of making it big on Broadway. She was so focused on her goal, she failed to notice that her sister, Queenie, really didn’t even want to be a performer. On top of that, Hank’s long-time fiancée, Eddie, had fallen in love with Queenie. Not only was Hank in danger of losing her dreams of stardom with her sister, but also her man, which is exactly what eventually happened.
The story was actually a lot more dramatic than I have given it credit for in the past, and Bessie Love did most of the heavy lifting. Yes, she was good throughout the entire film, but the emotional climax of the film is where she really stole the show. Her dreams come crashing down around her. Queenie has just thrown her to the ground and walked out on her. In order to save her sister from the selfish attentions of a rich cad, Hank forces herself to spurn her beloved Eddie. Trembling and in tears, she reveals that she knows he loves Queenie, and she sends him off to fight for her honor. Now utterly alone, she suffers a complete emotional breakdown. It is actually a difficult scene to watch. The tears, the sobbing, and the pain were all let loose, and Bessie Love really impressed me.
I’m not sure why this scene didn’t stick with me after the first three times I watched the movie, but it finally did, and I’m beginning to understand not only why Bessie Love was nominated for Best Actress, but also why the film won the award for Outstanding Picture. I am glad I’ve had the opportunity to become reacquainted with this movie. Strangely enough, it just seems to get better every time I see it.