Academy Memorable Moment Number 40
From 1968 - The surprising moment when a tie was declared for the Best Actress prize, one of only two times in the history of the Oscars that there was a tie in one of the major categories. The co-winners were Barbra Streisand and Katharine Hepburn.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 39
From 1989 - Legendary Japanese film director Akira Kurosawa receiving an Honorary Oscar from two contemporary Hollywood legends, Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Kurosawa was clearly one of the geniuses of cinema, and in a film clip before he approached the stage, we were reminded just how incredible a director he was, especially for his visual style. A live remote from family and friends in Japan even helped celebrate his moment.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 38
From 1952 - that year, for the first time, the Academy Awards were presented on television, and from there, the audience would just continue to grow and the show would become more and more of a cultural icon. Previous to 1952, the telecast had been broadcast on radio, not always the complete show, and once it hit television, it was there to stay. Because of its broadcast on television, over a billion people around the world now tune in for the annual awards.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 37
From 1941 - Walt Disney tearfully accepting the Thalberg award. Even though his Fantasia had received a couple of honorary Oscars that night, Disney was in tears admitting to the film's failure at the box office, and saying that we apparently must learn from mistakes. He had had two big hits with Snow White and Pinocchio, and all of his hopes for Fantasia did not connect with audiences of the time. So many years later, the film would become successful, and even his dream of a sequel would come true long after his death.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 36
From 1937 - Legendary comedy innovator Mack Sennett getting an Honorary Oscar. W.C. Fields presented him with the award, and it was another rare moment when one of the true legends who literally helped create the film industry was being honored. What was sad at the time was that by 1937, when the slapstick physical humor which made him so successful during the silent films had faded with the advent of sound, he was retired from the film business and penniless. It was another example of some of the careers that ended when the sound film arrived.
