The first Academy Awards, held in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 1929. Via.
The Oscars are, and always have been, known as the biggest night in Hollywood. The one night that all of Hollywood's stars come together like a massive, glittering constellation. I personally have mixed feelings about the Oscars. On the one hand, it's an entertaining night of fashion, glamour, and, most importantly, film. On the other hand though, it also provides a glimpse into to the politics and money-making machine that always has and always will run Hollywood.
The menu and program from the first Academy Awards. Via.
The first Academy Award ceremony took place in 1929 and was organized, for the most part, for publicity purposes. At that time, film was still a fairly new entertainment medium. Unlike it's entertainment predecessors, film was available to the masses; it was cheap and widely accessible, both physically and cognitively. In contrast, theater was expensive, cultured, and, for the most part, only available in metropolitan cities; in other words, only wealthy, educated people could patron the theater. Although the mass-accessibility of film adds to the magic of the movies, it did not help to booster the status of the film industry. The industry was looked down upon as common, lowbrow, and primitive.
Bette Davis with her Best Actress Oscar for Jezebel, 1939. Via.
In order to bolster their image, Hollywood moguls decided to create awards for the year's contributions to the film industry. It was their hope, that by creating awards and honors within the medium, that the industry would begin to garner respect and be regarded as a true art form. Today, the Academy Awards continues to market and publicize Hollywood; it's a way to boost box office sales, and to keep alive the romantic and glamorous dream that is Hollywood.
Vivien Leigh and Olivia de Havilland at the 1940's Academy Awards where Gone with the Wind swept the awards. Via.
Also from its beginning, the Oscars have been about politics- Hollywood politics that is. The Hollywood moguls (i.e. the money men) lobby for their films and actors the way politicians lobby for their bills and candidates. I don't think it's possible to go through an award season and not hear about Harvey Weinstein's zealous campaigning tactics. And as cynical as it sounds, I'm sure just like real politics that deals are made and favors are called in.
Oscar winners, Ginger Rogers and Jimmy Stewart at the 1941 Academy Awards | The first year the winners were kept secret and announced at the ceremony. Via.
If it wasn't bad enough that producers push their films like lobbyists, then there's the whole idea of pitting different films against one another. Much to the delight of the early Hollywood moguls, film has become a true art form. And, like any other art forms, at some point it comes down to the eye of the beholder. Is it really possible to pick an indisputable "best movie of the year?"
Presenters on stage at the Academy Awards, 1950. Via.
Sure you can say that a movie like Citizen Kane is a more accomplished film than say, Andy Hardy's Private Secretary; but when you round up a year's worth of success and acclaimed films, can you really pick an indisputable winner? The answer is you can't, because at that point it comes down to the individual opinion of the viewer and how they personally reacted to the film and performance.
Audrey Hepburn hugging her Oscar for Best Actress in Roman Holiday, 1954. If you've ever wondered about Hepburn's spiked bangs and heavy make-up here, she came to the ceremony directly from a performance of Ondine (the Broadway play she was starring in at the time) still in full stage hair and make-up. Via.
The genre of films also comes into play; its a known fact that dramas are highly regarded as the winners at the Oscars; comedies, musicals, and science fiction/fantasy movies are rarely deemed as true competitors. To me though that's like comparing apples to oranges; sure they are both fruit but they taste completely different. The experience that a comedic film provides is going to be vastly different from that of a historically drama; but does that make it less of a film?
Grace Kelly and costume designer, Edith Head admiring their Oscars, 1955. Via.
These criticism I've listed above are hardly new; the politics and voting process behind the Oscars have been questioned and criticized for years. It's sad and frustrating to see great films or performances get overlooked and snubbed. And yet, every year I found myself watching the Academy Awards.
Paul Newman and wife, Joanne Woodward celebrate at the 1958 Academy Awards, after her Best Actress win for The Three Faces of Eve. Via.
The Academy Awards is an iconic and long held tradition that's entertaining and fun to watch (usually). It's one of the few times we get to be a part of, or at least feel like we are a part of, that otherworldly planet known as Hollywood. And like any massive gathering of stars and celebrities, it's a great opportunity for pop culture history to be made.
Sidney Poitier made history when he became the first African American to win Best Actor for his role in Lilies of the Field, 1964. Via.
Here's just a few of my personal favorite Oscar moments:
Hattie McDaniels accepting her Oscar for Best Supporting Actress in Gone with the Wind, 1940. She was the first African American to win an Oscar in the history of the Academy.
John Wayne accepting the Oscar for Best Actor for his role in True Grit, 1970. A truly humble and heartfelt speech.
Charlie Chaplin receiving an Honorary Oscar for his life's work in film in 1972. He holds the record for the longest standing ovation in the history of the Academy Awards which was over 12 minutes long. If this moment does bring a tear to your eye, you're are not human.
Cher winning the Best Actress Oscar for Moonstruck, 1988. Some would say not the most deserving of winners, but I just love her speech. She's so down to earth!
