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Stage Door is our intermittent theater column in which we often feature plays and musicals with film connections. Please welcome guest contributor Erica Mann...

The moment Carmen Jones walks onto the stage of Classic Stage Company, it’s like time completely stops. It’s not just because the character is played by the incomparable Anika Noni Rose whose illustrious career has spanned stage (a Tony win for Caroline or Change), TV, and film. Her presence as the namesake is that powerful from the moment she sets foot into the spotlight.

Oscar Hammerstein II's adaptation of Bizet's opera Carmen became a classic screen musical in 1954 starring Dorothy Dandridge and Harry Belafonte but has rarely been seen on the NY stage. Csc's production is the first major New York revival since the 1940s. Carmen Jones is the story of love, lust, betrayal and tragedy with the action moved to the 1940s in the American south.

New Podcast! *Updated with correct podcast file*

For this week's podcast Nathaniel R presents a companion conversation to our Supporting Actress Smackdown (which we'll presume you've read already!). Joining him to discuss the Best Picture race and more generalized discussion about supporting actressing in 2017 are: Andrew Carden (Awards Connection / Gold Derby) Chris Feil (The Film Experience), Candice Frederick (Reel Talker), Erica Mann (NYC Film Chick), and Kevin P O'Keeffe (Into). 

Index (42 minutes)

00:01 Intros & Rewatches

02:30 Favs That Weren't Nominated

13:00 Mary J Blige and Carey Mulligan and Mudbound

17:00 Shape of Water, Get Out, or Three Billboards to Win?

31:00 Switching Roles Around: Octavia Spencer

37:30 Allison Janney and Julianne Nicholson and I Tonya

40:00 Lesley Manville, Laurie Metcalf and Goodbyes

You can listen to the podcast here at the bottom of the post or download from iTunes. Continue the conversations in the comments, won't you? ...

Presenting Oscar's Chosen Supporting Actresses of the Films of 2017. 

The Nominees 

Two mothers with combative relationships with their daughters (Janney and Metcalf). One sister/business partner (Manville). One mother struggling with oppressive farm life (Blige). And one cleaning lady (Spencer) whose coworker/friend is mute and in love with a fish crea... listen, it's a long story!

But here's a beautiful thing that's too little remarked on this season: they're all actually supporting characters. No leads masquerading as support for once! 

This Month's Panelists  

From top left: Andrew Carden, Chris Feil, Candice Frederick, Erica Mann, Kevin O'Keeffe, and Nathaniel R

Here to talk about these five nominated turns, are in alpha order: Andrew Carden (Awards Connection / Gold Derby) Chris Feil (The Film Experience), Candice Frederick (Reel Talker), Erica Mann (NYC Film Chick), Kevin P O'Keeffe (Into) and your host Nathaniel R (The Film Experience). And now it's time for the main event.

It's almost time for another Smackdown. As is the brief tradition, we'll be looking at this year's nominees for Supporting Actress in our February edition (just as we did last year). We'll be talking Octavia Spencer, Laurie Metcalf, Lesley Manville, Mary J Blige, and Allison Janney. The Smackdown and its companion podcast will arrive this coming Monday, February 26th.

It's time to meet the panelists. Please welcome...

First Time Panelists

Andrew Carden

Andrew Carden is a contributing writer at GoldDerby and writes about all things Oscar on his blog, The Awards Connection. When he's not on Twitter, lamenting Thelma Ritter's 0-for-6 record in Best Supporting Actress, Andrew works in Massachusetts politics.

His #1 of 2017: Mudbound

[Andrew on Twitter]

Candice Frederick

Candice Frederick is a freelance TV/film critic living in New York City. She has written for Vice, The Daily Beast, The Mary Sue, /Film and others. You can find more of her work here.

The Visual Effects Society (Ves) announced on Tuesday (January 13) its nominees for the 13th Annual Ves Awards, set to take place on February 4 in Los Angeles.

Nominees were selected by Ves members via events hosted by its nine sections: Australia, Bay Area, London, Los Angeles, Montreal, New York, New Zealand, Toronto and Vancouver.

As previously announced, the Visionary Award will be presented to Jj Abrams. Due to a change in his production schedule, Ridley Scott will not receive the Lifetime Achievement Award on the night. Ves executives said they would find another occassion to honour the film-maker.

“Visual effects in and by themselves are nothing unless they serve the story,” said Ves chair Jeffrey A Okun. “This year, more than ever, we are seeing amazing work that not only serves the story but tells the story in a manner never before seen.

“The Ves Awards is proud that we are the only organization that showcases and honours...

Harold Ramis, the man behind "Ghostbusters" and "Groundhog Day," passed away last February at the age of 69. Like many, the Writers Guild of America hasn't forgotten the impact he made over a 38-year career. The organization announced Tuesday that they will honor the writer/director/actor with the WGA's 2015 Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement at the Writers Guild Awards ceremony next month. Ramis' wife, Erica Mann Ramis, and family will accept the award on his behalf. In a release, WGAw Vice President Howard A. Rodman noted, "Harold Ramis changed the face of comedy. His death last year deprived us of his unique way of seeing the world, at once hilarious and wise. From his early work with 'National Lampoon' and 'Sctv' through 'Animal House,' 'Meatballs,' 'Caddyshack' and 'Ghostbusters,' Ramis' voice was strong, clear, outrageous in all the best ways. His unrealized projects...

The Writers Guild of America, West has chosen late screenwriter-director-actor-producer Harold Ramis to receive its Laurel Award for Screenwriting Achievement, awarded to a Writers Guild member who has advanced the literature of motion pictures and made outstanding contributions to the profession of the screenwriter. Erica Mann Ramis and family will accept the award on Ramis’ behalf at the Writers Guild Awards ceremony on Saturday, February 14. Harold Ramis passed away on February 24, 2014 at the age of 69. From today’s announcement:

“Harold Ramis changed the face of comedy. His death last year deprived us of his unique way of seeing the world, at once hilarious and wise. From his early work with National Lampoon and Sctv through Animal House, Meatballs, Caddyshack, and Ghostbusters, Ramis’ voice was strong, clear, outrageous in all the best ways. His unrealized projects – an adaptation of Confederacy of Dunces, a biopic about Emma Goldman – leave us aching with...

Actor, writer and director who changed the course of Us film comedy with movies such as Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day

The writer, director and actor Harold Ramis, who has died aged 69 from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, was responsible for one masterpiece and several influential smash-hits. In each of his creative capacities, he was the eternal quiet man. In front of the camera, his blithe and undemanding presence often disguised his comic skill or made it appear effortless; he seemed happy to hang back and surrender the limelight to more demonstrative and dynamic collaborators, such as his Ghostbusters co-stars Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd. In his writing and directing he was adept at capitalising on an audience's love of coarseness without resorting to cruelty or sacrificing his compassion.

Much of his work – including National Lampoon's Animal House (1978), Meatballs (1979) and Ghostbusters (1984), all of which he co-wrote, and Caddyshack (1980), which he co-wrote...

Of course it happened in February. Yesterday, Harold Ramis passed away from complications resulting from autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare blood disease. He is survived by his spouse, Erica Mann, as well as his three children and two grandchildren. He is also survived, for those of us who knew the man’s work but never met him personally, by some of the most influential and game-changing comedies of the past forty years. It’s difficult to know what the careers of Bill Murray, Chevy Chase, and John Belushi would look like without him. If there had been no Harold Ramis, there would be no Caddyshack, no Vacation, no Groundhog Day. If Ghostbusters could ever have existed sans Ramis in some other form, it’s impossible to imagine quite what that would be. He was, by all measures, a consequential figure in American comedy. While working as a schoolteacher during the late 1960s, Ramis...

Former stars of Ghostbusters have paid tribute to Harold Ramis, who died yesterday (February 24) aged 69.

Bill Murray worked with the actor beyond the hit supernatural comedy film, including in Groundhog Day which Ramis directed.

In a statement to Time magazine, Murray said: "Harold Ramis and I together did the National Lampoon Show off Broadway, Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. He earned his keep on this planet. God bless him."

Ghostbusters director Ivan Reitman also praised the "truly original" actor.

''The world has lost a wonderful, truly original, comedy voice with the passing of Harold Ramis," Reitman shared.

Harold Ramis dies at 69: Hollywood pays tribute to Ghostbusters star

''He possessed the most agile mind I've ever witnessed. He always had the clearest sense of what was funny and how to create something in a new clever way... Harold had an extraordinary impact on my career and I loved him like a brother.

Actor-director Harold Ramis died on Monday at the age of 69.

According to the Chicago Tribune, Ramis was surrounded by family when he died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels, his wife Erica Mann Ramis said.

He played Ghostbuster scientist Egon Spengler and Bill Murray’s Army recruit buddy in “Stripes. He co-wrote and directed “Caddyshack,” ”Groundhog Day,” and “Analyze This.” He helped write “Meatballs,” ”Ghostbusters” and ”Stripes.”

Murray, who collaborated with Ramis on a number of projects, issued this statement to Time through his lawyer: “Harold Ramis and I together did the National Lampoon Show off Broadway, Meatballs, Stripes, Caddyshack, Ghostbusters and Groundhog Day. He earned his keep on this planet. God bless him.”

From the AP:

His death rattled a modern comedy world Ramis helped build. His legacy as a father figure to generations of...

Chicago – He was a Ghostbuster, and Bill Murray’s sidekick in “Stripes.” He co-wrote classic modern comedies like “Animal House” and “Caddyshack.” He directed the legendary absurdist comedy, “Groundhog Day.” He is Harold Ramis, and he died on February 24th, according to his wife Erica Mann Ramis.

Harold Ramis in Chicago, June of 2009

Photo credit: Joe Arce of Starstruck Foto for HollywoodChicago.com

The multi-talented Ramis – who also co-wrote the “Ghostbusters,” “Stripes and “Meatballs,” and directed “Caddyshack,” “National Lampoon’s Vacation” “Multiplicity“ and “Analyze This” – was as well a performer and head writer on television’s iconic 1970s comedy series, “Sctv.” In addition, he was born in Chicago, developed his comic chops at The Second City stage on Wells Street, and eventually set up residence in the North Shore suburbs.

Harold Allen Ramis was born in Chicago in 1944, and was an alumni of the city’s Senn High School. After...

Harold Ramis, one of film’s most celebrated and influential writers and directors, died early Monday morning at his Chicago home at the age of 69. Ramis was the noted director of comedy classics such as Caddyshack, Groundhog Day, National Lampoon’s Vacation and Analyze This. According to his wife, Erica Mann Ramis, he died from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that he began to struggle with in May 2010.

Ramis wrote or co-wrote many of the most iconic comedies of his generation, including Ghostbusters, Stripes, Meatballs and National Lampoon’s Animal House. He began as a performer and was the first head writer for Second City Television (or Sctv) in Chicago during the late 1970s. There, he was a part of a comic ensemble that also featured Dan Aykroyd, John Belushi, Bill Murray and Gilda Radner. He worked on Sctv from 1976 to 1979 and also popped up in various acting roles,...

If you like screen comedy—the raucous and raunchy kind, with lots of four-letter words and flipped birds to authority—then you owe Harold Ramis a huge debt. The Chicago native, who died Monday in his Chicago home at age 69 from complications due to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, met many of his future collaborators (John Belushi, Bill Murray, Gilda Radner) at Second City’s legendary improvisational theater; he later wrote and acted alongside them in New York when National Lampoon launched its radio hour program. The Canadian TV show Sctv offered...

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Harold Ramis passed away today at the age of 69. The actor, director and writer had an immeasurable impact on modern comedy, but he was perhaps best known to audiences as Dr. Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters. In addition to being a well-known comedian, Ramis influenced comedy behind-the-scenes. He was the director of now legendary comedies like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day and wrote the scripts for films such as Ghostbusters and Meatballs. Contemporary comedy heavyweights such as Judd Apatow have cited him as a major comedy influence and Ramis even appeared in a cameo as Seth Rogen‘s father in Knocked Up.

Harold Allen Ramis was born on November 21, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. His parents were shopkeepers and Ramis was attracted to comedy from an early age and started writing parody plays in college. After a brief stint working in a mental institution in St. Louis, Ramis returned to Chicago...

We’re sad to report that Harold Ramis has passed away at the age of 69. According to his wife, Erica Mann Ramis, and the Chicago Tribune, Harold’s passing was due to “complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels.”

Harold Ramis was born on November 21st, 1944 in Chicago, Illinois. The writer, director, and actor is probably best known by horror fans for his role as Egon in Ghostbusters, but he has built up an incredible body of work that includes directing Groundhog Day, Caddyshack, and Analyze This.

While a private service is planned for this week, it is said that a private memorial will take place in Chicago in May. Our thoughts go out to Harold Ramis’ family and friends. He will truly be missed by those who knew him personally and those who were influenced by his work. We’ll update...

Director of Groundhog Day and star of Ghostbusters dies in Chicago.

Writer, director and actor Harold Ramis has died aged 69, according to the Chicago Tribune.

He was best known for playing Egon Spengler in 1984 blockbuster Ghostbusters and Russell Ziskey in 1981 comedy Stripes, both of which he co-wrote. As a writer-director, Ramis’ films included Caddyshack (1980), Groundhog Day (1993) and Analyze This (1999).

Ramis was surrounded by family when he died this morning from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels, his wife Erica Mann Ramis told the Chicago Tribune.

Ramis’ production company, Ocean Pictures, made features including Jack Black comedy Year One, which was the last film he co-wrote and directed. He also directed four episodes of Us sitcom The Office, the last of which he directed in 2010.

Ghostbusters actor Harold Ramis dies.

Harold Ramis -- a star of the comedy classic Ghostbusters who is also known for writing and directing Caddyshack and Groundhog Day -- has died at the age of 69.

Ramis died in Chicago early Monday morning surrounded by family members, his wife Erica Mann Ramis told the Chicago Tribune. She said he died from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels.

Ramis starred as Dr. Egon Spengler in the 1984 comedy blockbuster Ghostbusters, which also starred Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, Rick Moranis and Sigourney Weaver, and also in the 1989 sequel.

Among other credits during his long Hollywood career were (writing) National Lampoon's Animal House, Stripes (which he also co-starred in), and (directing) Caddyshack, National Lampoon's Vacation, Groundhog Day and Analyze This.

Ramis is survived by his wife Erica, their two sons, Julian and Daniel, as well as a daughter from his first marriage to Anne...

Harold Ramis has died at the age of 69.

The Ghostbusters star and Groundhog Day director was with his family when he died from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare condition, his wife Erica Mann Ramis told the Chicago Tribune.

Harold Ramis dies at 69: Hollywood pays tribute to Ghostbusters star

"His creativity, compassion, intelligence, humour and spirit will be missed by all who knew and loved him," said his family in a statement.

Ramis had been seriously unwell since May 2010 after suffering from an infection. After initial improvements, he suffered a relapse in 2011.

He was best known for his starring role as Egon Spengler in 1984's supernatural comedy Ghostbusters and its 1989 sequel, both of which he wrote with his co-star Dan Aykroyd.

He first gained showbiz attention as part of the National Lampoon team, going on to direct 1983's National Lampoon's Vacation.

Ramis was also the director and co-writer of hit comedy movies Caddyshack,...

Filmmaker Harold Ramis, who exerted a strong creative hand in such popular comedies as National Lampoon's Animal House, the Ghostbusters series and Groundhog Day, has died in Chicago of a rare autoimmune disease, People has confirmed.

His wife, Erica Mann Ramis, told the Chicago Tribune he was surrounded by family when he died at 12:53 a.m. Monday.

An actor, writer, director, producer and a gentleman – whose dry wit, long face and eyeglasses often had him compared to the legendary 1930s playwright George S. Kaufman, a compliment Ramis enjoyed – Ramis was born in Chicago and grew up idolizing the Marx Brothers,...

Filmmaker Harold Ramis, who exerted a strong creative hand in such popular comedies as National Lampoon's Animal House, the Ghostbusters series and Groundhog Day, has died in Chicago of a rare autoimmune disease, People has confirmed. His wife, Erica Mann Ramis, told the Chicago Tribune he was surrounded by family when he died at 12:53 a.m. Monday. An actor, writer, director, producer and a gentleman - whose dry wit, long face and eyeglasses often had him compared to the legendary 1930s playwright George S. Kaufman, a compliment Ramis enjoyed - Ramis was born in Chicago and grew up idolizing the Marx Brothers,...

The world has lost one of the most successful and innovative comedy filmmakers today, as Harold Ramis passed away at the age of 69. The director, actor and writer succumbed to complications from a rare disease called autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, which causes a swelling of the blood vessels.

A prolific comedy figurehead in the late 70s and early 80s, Harold Ramis started as a writer and performer on the Canadian based sketch comedy series Sctv, where he met many of the iconic comedy actors he would later go onto work with throughout his storied career. He was known for being a jack of all trades when it came to comedy film, directing such seminal classics as Caddyshack, Vacation, and Groundhog Day. As a writer, he penned Animal House, Meatballs and Stripes, where he co-starred alongside friend and on-screen comedy partner Bill Murray. The two would later go onto work side by side in the iconic Ghostbusters,...

If you are anything like me you hear the name Harold Ramis and immediately your mind goes to a number of places. First for me is Dr. Egon Spengler from Ghostbusters, but quickly behind that is the man that directed all-time comedies such as Caddyshack and Groundhog Day and writer of Stripes and Animal House. Today sadness comes to mind as Ramis has passed away at the age of 69. The Chicago Tribune reports the news saying Ramis died as a result of complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels. Ramis' wife, Erica Mann Ramis, tells the paper his serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease.

The world of comedy has lost a huge talent. Harold Allen Ramis, the actor best known for his role as Egon Spengler in Ghostbusters, and the writer and director of hit flicks like Caddyshack and Groundhog Day, died early Monday, Feb. 24 at 69. The Chicago-area native lost his battle to an autoimmune disease while surrounded by his loved ones, Ramis' wife Erica Mann Ramis told the Chicago Tribune Monday. Widely regarded among his Hollywood peers as one of the best comedy filmmakers of his time, Ramis' career extends [...]...

Sad news today, as writer, actor, and director Harold Ramis has died at the age of 69, due to complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels. Ramis had been quietly battling the disease for years. He is survived by his wife, Erica Mann Ramis, daughter Violet Stiel, sons Julian and Daniel Ramis, and two grandchildren. Ramis began his career with the renowned The Second City comedy group in Chicago along with John Belushi, whom...

American actor, director and writer Harold Ramis has passed away, reports the Chicago Tribune . According to the newspaper, Ramis died at 12:53 a.m. from complications of autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a rare disease that involves swelling of the blood vessels. He was 69. His wife Erica Mann Ramis said he was surrounded by family when he died. The Tribune added that Ramis's serious health struggles began in May 2010 with an infection that led to complications related to the autoimmune disease. Ramis had to relearn to walk but suffered a relapse of the vaculitis in late 2011. Ramis's best-known acting roles were as Egon Spengler in the Ghostbusters films and Russell Ziskey in Stripes , both of which he co-wrote. As a writer/director, his films included comedies...

Harold Ramis, legendary comedic actor, writer and director of classics including Ghostbusters (1989), Caddyshack (1980) and Groundhog Day (1993), died on Monday, Feb. 24 at the age of 69.

Harold Ramis Dies

Ramis died from complications due to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a disease that causes blood vessels to swell. Ramis, who lived in Chicago, had been suffering from the disease for about four years, since major complications began to present themselves. In May 2010, Ramis suffered an infection and reportedly relapsed in late 2011. He is survived by his wife Erica Mann Ramis, his daughter Violet Stiel and sons Julian and Daniel Ramis. Erica Ramis told the Chicago Tribune that the family will be holding a private memorial service this week, but a public memorial will most likely be held in Chicago in May.

Ramis cemented his place in film history with his writing, acting and directing. He is perhaps best known for writing and acting in Ghostbusters alongside Bill Murray,...

Harold Ramis, legendary comedic actor, writer and director of classics including Ghostbusters (1989), Caddyshack (1980) and Groundhog Day (1993), died on Monday, Feb. 24 at the age of 69.

Harold Ramis Dies

Ramis died from complications due to autoimmune inflammatory vasculitis, a disease that causes blood vessels to swell. Ramis, who lived in Chicago, had been suffering from the disease for about four years, since major complications began to present themselves. In May 2010, Ramis suffered an infection and reportedly relapsed in late 2011. He is survived by his wife Erica Mann Ramis, his daughter Violet Stiel and sons Julian and Daniel Ramis. Erica Ramis told the Chicago Tribune that the family will be holding a private memorial service this week, but a public memorial will most likely be held in Chicago in May.

Ramis cemented his place in film history with his writing, acting and directing. He is perhaps best known for writing and acting in Ghostbusters alongside Bill Murray,...