French-directed silent movie The Artist topped nominations yesterday for the Golden Globes, with six nominations for the awards to be presented in Los Angeles next month.

Tied for second were The Help, about black servants in the pre-civil rights era US south, and The Descendants starring George Clooney, which were both nominated in five categories.

Clooney-directed political thriller The Ides of March garnered four Globes nods, as did Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris and baseball movie Moneyball starring Brad Pitt.

On the small screen, most nominations went to Emmy-winning British period drama Downton Abbey with four nods, while other top nominees included HBO drama Boardwalk Empire, NBC’s 30 Rock and Fox’s Glee.

The Golden Globe winners will be announced on January 15, in a show hosted for a third time by provocative British comic Ricky Gervais.

The Artist, a black-and-white tribute to the silent movie era, was nominated for categories including best comedy or music film, best comedy or music actor, best supporting actress, and best director.

The movie by French film-maker Michel Hazanavicius had already created a buzz after being nominated for best film and best director by the New York Film Critics Circle two weeks ago.

Distributed by The Weinstein Company – veteran Oscar-backers who produced last year’s winner The King’s Speech – it tells the story of silent film star George Valentin whose career is torpedoed by the arrival of the “talkies”.

As his fortunes plummet, a young dancer and actress who initially idolises him – Peppy Miller, who catches his eye, and heart – is on her way up to Hollywood stardom in the new movies-with-sound era.

Notable absentees from the Globes shortlists were Terrence Malick’s critically acclaimed The Three of Life – which won the Palme d’Or in Cannes – as well as Cold War thriller Tinker Tailor Soldier Spy.

Nominees in top categories

Best film, drama: The Descendants, The Help, Hugo, The Ides of March, Moneyball, War Horse.
Best film, comedy or musical: 50/50, The Artist, Bridesmaids, Carnage, Midnight in Paris, My Week With Marilyn.
Best actor, drama: George Clooney in The Descendants, Brad Pitt in Moneyball, Ryan Gosling in The Ides of March, Michael Fassbender in Shame, Leonardo DiCaprio in J. Edgar.
Best actress, drama: Glenn Close in Albert Nobbs, Viola Davis in The Help, Rooney Mara in The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo, Meryl Streep in The Iron Lady, Tilda Swinton in We Need to Talk About Kevin.