Now much will heralded performances and costly ad campaigns mean when Oscar nominations roll around on Feb. 19? Probably not much. What counts more are the intangibles-the hidden factors that, for example, will enhance the chances of the leading Best Actress contenders: JODIE FOSTER *Magazine profiles, including Time and Premiere covers. *Eight TV talk-show appearances, but not the Today show, which she walked off when Bryant Gumbel wouldn't muzzle John Hinckley questions. *Golden Globe, New York Film Critics Circle, and Women in Film awards. *Considered a Renaissance woman after directing Little Man Tate. *Enormous grosses for Silence of the Lambs.
ANNETTE BENING *Magazine profiles, including Cosmopolitan and Premiere. *Talk- show appearances. *Glowing references in all of Warren Beatty's interviews. *Sympathy vote for having to give up Catwoman role in Batman Returns because of pregnancy.
BETTE MIDLER *Six big magazine profiles, including Vanity Fair's cover. *Promotional blitz hawking For the Boys, including appearances with Johnny Carson, Arsenio Hall, Oprah Winfrey, and Barbara Walters. *Golden Globe winner. *Sympathy vote because of Geraldo boast and because her dream project is a bomb.
SUSAN SARANDON *Magazine profiles, including Time's cover with Thelma & Louise costar Geena Davis. *Shared National Board of Review award with costar Davis. *Leading liberal in industry gets support from simpatico Academy members. *Now available on video, her movie taps spirit of female outrage over Clarence Thomas and Willie Smith. *Guilt factor: She wasn't even nominated for Bull Durham.
