I vote for THOMAS MITCHELL

I stayed up late last night and watched John Ford's "Stagecoach" for the umpteenth time.
It's too bad this classic Western premiered in 1939... it might have taken home more Oscars the next year.
Instead, "Gone With the Wind" claimed Best-Picture honors in a legendarily crowded field of nominees that included "Of Mice and Men," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "The Wizard of Oz."

One Academy Award the film did take home was Best Supporting Actor, given to the amazing Thomas Mitchell, who played Doc Boone.
As I watched "Stagecoach" last night, I purposely paid less attention to John Wayne's "Ringo Kid" and more attention to the ensemble cast.
John Carradine is perfect as the gambler, Hatfield. George Bancroft as Marshal Curley and Andy Devine as Buck also give fine performances. Louise Platt as Lucy Mallory seems a little melodramatic, but that is probably how Ford wanted her to play the part.
Despite these fine performances, Mitchell steals the show, even from Wayne.
His alcoholic doctor, driven from town, must take a heroic step and deliver a baby in less-than-ideal circumstances.
Mitchell portrays all of the emotions his character must have felt during the tense delivery and its aftermath, from the embarrassment that he was initially too drunk to function to the sense of pride that he had ultimately pulled it off.
Watch films from that time period and you will start to notice Mitchell's work.
He appeared in "Lost Horizon," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington," "Gone With the Wind" and "It's a Wonderful Life," where he played Uncle Billy.
Although the stars got to leave their handprints in the wet cement at Grauman's Chinese Theater, Hollywood's character actors also contributed to the greatness of films. Mitchell proves it.