oscar retrospective part 1
TRANSCRIPT
Oscar Films Through The Years:
A Retrospective
Part 1:The Early Years
Louis B. Mayer• His goal was to
organize the film industry
• Founded the Academy of Motion Picture Arts & Sciences
• Five original branches of the Academy:– Producers– Actors– Directors– Writers– Technicians
The five branches are
represented by five spokes on
Oscar’s film reel
Who’s Oscar?• Name: Academy Award of Merit• Height: 13 ½ inches• Weight: 8 ½ pounds• Design: A knight holding a
Crusader’s sword, standing on film reel with five spokes
• Material: Gold plated metal alloy
• But WHY is it
called Oscar??
Oscar by any other name
• 1927/28 – 1928/29:– Most Outstanding Production– Most Artistic Quality of Production
– Outstanding Picture• 1929/30 – 1940:
– Outstanding Production• 1941-1943:
– Outstanding Motion Picture• 1944 – 1961:
– Best Motion Picture• 1962 – current:
– Best Picture
1929 – The First Awards• First Ceremony was a private banquet
at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel
Douglas Fairbanks Giving Janet Gaynor
First Best Actress Oscar
…for her work in Seventh Heaven, as well as Street Angel, and Sunrise
•Winners at first Awards were announced months in advance
•Sealed envelopes weren’t used until 1941 after LA Times leaked the winners
1934
• It Happened One Night– The Barretts of Wimpole Street– Cleopatra– Flirtation Walk– The Gay Divorcee– Here Comes the Navy– The House of Rothchild– Imitation of Life– One Night of Love– The Thin Man– Viva Villa!– The White Parade
• First film to win the Big Four Oscars:– Best Picture– Best Director– Best Actor– Best Actress
• Also won Best Screenplay
• Many other actors turned down roles, not liking the script– Robert Montgomery– Myrna Loy– Constance Bennett