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