You didn't ask me, but I know off the top of my head three I would have honored before John Wayne, one who was nominated and two who weren't:
Kirk Douglas in Champion (nominated)
James Cagney in White Heat (not nominated)
Montgomery Clift in The Heiress (not nominated)
As is often the case, I'm late to the party (there are just too many movies and too little time), but I watched this today, and I must echo the comments of others who enthusiastically endorsed this sterling transfer. No WONDER it won the Best Color Cinematography Oscar in 1949! Shot after shot...