In this satirical comedy, arguably Alexander Payne’s most accomplished and original film to date, a competitive high-school election becomes an allegory of the state of American politics and culture.

“Romance on the High Seas marls the feature film debut of Doris Day, who went on to become the most popular star in America in the 1950s.

Richard Benjamin made a decent directorial debut with the charming period comedy, “My Favorite Year,” starring Peter O’Toole in eccentric role that fits him like a silk glove, for which he received yet another Oscar nomination.

“If you want to understand me,” Chaplin once said, “watch my movies.” I am sure that director Richard Attenborough has watched at least some of Chaplin’s movies in preparation for this biopic. But, ultimately, he proves to be the wrong director for a movie about such an eccentric personality and genius.

Susan Hayward received the first of her five Best Actress Oscar nominations for this “woman’s picture,” a tale of how the memory of a wartime romance affects the happiness of a young woman’s marriage.