Let's not waste any time, and pick up where we left off, with the 30th greatest Oscar moment of all time.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 30
From 1986 - Legendary actress Bette Davis, at age 78, made her first Oscar appearance since her 1983 stroke, and it was so memorable to see a true legend on the stage again.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 29
From 1970 - Lillian Gish being awarded an Honorary Oscar for lifetime achievement. Again, this was another incredible moment, when Hollywood finally honored one of the true legends who helped create the film industry. Lillian Gish had been well known as one of the more serious dramatic actors of the silent film age, and it was time for her to be honored.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 28
From 1967 - Alfred Hitchcock receiving the Thalberg award. Amazingly, this was the only honor ever bestowed by the Academy on Hitchcock, who was clearly one of the greatest film directors who ever lived. He finally was able to grace Oscar's stage in 1967, to receive an award for producing credentials.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 27
From 1963 - Sidney Poitier winning Best Actor for Lilies of the Field. During such a turbulent time for race relations in America, a very significant event occurred at the Academy Awards ... Sidney Poitier became the first black male to win one of the coveted leading acting awards, and was clearly an inspiration to black actors and actresses who came after him.
Academy Memorable Moment Number 26
From 1935 - Legendary director D.W. Griffith receiving a Special Academy Award. This was also well known because it was the first standing ovation in Oscar history. D.W. Griffith was again one of the legendary individuals who literally created the film industry, and he was well known for the epics of the silent cinema that still to this day are awe-inspiring. In 1935, he appeared to accept one of the first Honorary Special awards bestowed by the Academy, and he gave a very powerful and very true speech, one so great and from an individual who so clearly loved the craft of moviemaking, that I had to include it here ... he said "We had many worries in those days, small worries. Now you people have your worries and they are big ones. They have grown with the business ... and no matter what its problems, it's the greatest business in the world." The speech brought tears to the eyes of the people in attendance.
