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| Douglas Fairbanks presents Janet Gaynor with the Best Actress Award at the 1st Oscar Ceremony |
In 1927, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) was established by Louis B. Mayer, originator of Louis B. Mayer Pictures Corporation, which then would be joined into Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer (MGM). Mayer's purpose in creating the award was to unite the five branches of the film industry, including actors, directors, producers, technicians, and writers. Mayer commented on the creation of the awards "I found that the best way to handle [filmmakers] was to hang medals all over them ... If I got them cups and awards they'd kill them to produce what I wanted. That's why the Academy Award was created". Mayer asked Cedric Gibbons, art director of MGM, to design an Academy Award trophy. Nominees were notified through a telegram in February 1928. In August 1928, Mayer contacted the Academy Central Board of Judges to decide winners. However, according to the American director King Vidor, the voting for the Academy Award for Best Picture was in the hands of the AMPAS founders Douglas Fairbanks, Sid Grauman, Mayer, Mary Pickford and Joseph Schenck.
The 1st Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 1927 and 1928 and took place on May 16, 1929, at a private dinner held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California. AMPAS president Douglas Fairbanks hosted the show. Tickets cost $5 (which would be $69 in 2016 considering inflation), 270 people attended the event and the presentation ceremony lasted fifteen minutes. Awards were created by Louis B. Mayer, founder of Louis B. Mayer Pictures Corporation (at present merged into Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer). It is the only Academy Awards ceremony not to be broadcast either on radio or television.
How times have changed! I used to watch the Oscars every year, at least until 11:00, however, I haven't watched in years. But how about you? Did you watch the awards ceremony last night? And if so, did you stay up for whole thing?
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5 comments:
Imagine an Oscars lasting fifteen minutes. Haven't watch the Oscars in many years, and I don't wish to ever again!
The Orange Room @ The Roosevelt Hotel is more famous for being haunted than the original site of the Academy Awards!
I some of the broadcast and enjoyed Chris Rock's monologue. As a resident of Hollywood, I'm looking forward to my neighborhood returning to normal.
@William: 15 minutes, amazing, right? Now that's how long some speeches last!
@Donna: I'll have to learn about The Orange Room;). Is your neighborhood back to normal yet?
I watched this year's show...but I just wanted to see how Chris Rock would respond to the controversy. Personally, I thought he nailed it!
@Norma: I was curious about that, too. Now I'm sorry I missed it!
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