George C. Scott as General Patton

Today is the day that General George S. Patton passed away in 1945, and if you happen to be looking for a good film to watch, how about 1970’s Oscar-winner “Patton.” The film not only won the Best Picture Oscar (Frank McCarthy, producer), but Best Director (Frank J. Schaffner); Best Writing, Story and Screenplay Based on Factual Material or Material Not Previously Published or Produced (Francis Ford Coppola, Edmund H. North) and Best Art Direction-Set Decoration, Best Sound and Best Film Editing.

Best Actor in a Leading Role went to George C. Scott for his portrayal of Patton. But Scott didn’t actually get the Oscar because he refused the nomination and the award, saying “”The Academy Awards are a two-hour meat parade, a public display with contrived suspense for economic reasons.” It was awarded to him all the same and Frank McCarthy accepted it on Scott’s behalf at the ceremony. The next day, McCarthy returned it to honor Scott’s wishes. The other actors who were nominated that year were Melvyn Douglas (I Never Sang for My Father); James Earl Jones (The Great White Hope); Jack Nicholson (Five Easy Pieces); and Ryan O’Neal (Love Story).

But we digress… Karl Malden co-starred as Major General Omar Bradley, who was still alive and was a consultant on the project. In their book “The Final Days,” Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein said that “Patton” was Richard Nixon’s favorite film.

John Wayne wanted to play Patton but was turned down. Lee Marvin, Robert Mitchum, Burt Lancaster and Rod Steiger all turned down the role. Steiger later expressed regrets about that decision. He is actually the only one out those named whom we could see in the role instead of Scott. If they did a remake of Patton today, it’s hard to imagine who could play him or who would even want to be compared to Scott’s performance.