How is it that Katharine Hepburn's greatest performance, in "Long Day's Journey Into Night" (1962), remains one of her least-seen? Why hasn't Laurence Olivier's phenomenal work in "Carrie" (1952) joined his pantheon of legendary screen achievements? Did Barbara Stanwyck give her peak performance in "Double Indemnity" (1944), or was she even better in the small masterwork "Remember the Night" (1940)? Most film lovers are crazy about Gary Cooper in "Mr. Deeds Goes to Town" (1936), but isn't he just as irresistible in a little gem titled "Desire" from that same year?
In "100 Great Film Performances You Should Remember--But Probably Don't," author John DiLeo ventures beyond the obvious, paying tribute to a collection of acting feats that made priceless but often underappreciated contributions to the art of screen acting. So, no Scarlett O'Hara, Michael Corleone, or Margo Channing here. But you will find Vivien Leigh, Al Pacino, and Bette Davis in outstanding performances that have been overshadowed by their signature roles. From Lillian Gish in "Way Down East" (1920) to Renée Zellweger in "Nurse Betty" (2000), DiLeo takes movie fans on an unpredictable ride through film history, covering eight decades, showcasing a variety of genres and performing styles, and providing fresh spins on the careers of Hollywood's top stars. He gets at the heart of what made the performers so original and memorable in the roles at hand, whetting your appetite to see all one hundred of these superb, eye-opening performances, even if you saw them before--because you really didn't.
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