15 of the funniest and most memorable moments in the history of the Oscar ceremony

2024 Author: Richard Flannagan | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-15 23:55

For many, the Oscar is a recognition of their services to world cinema. First Child Laureate, First Black Winner, First Female Director. However, there are also such individuals who use this opportunity to declare their political views, "walk" a spectacular outfit, give out a vivid emotion or even run naked across the stage. Today we have collected in the article the most striking, scandalous, funny and outstanding cases from the history of the prestigious award.

1937 year. Eight figurines per cartoon

Since 2002, they have been rewarding the creators of feature-length cartoons. However, back in the middle of the last century, Walt Disney won the prestigious award for the creation of the first full-length color animated film with sound. The project was so costly and successful that critics could not ignore it. But even here the film academy decided to play a joke: the director was handed not one, but as many as eight statuettes. True, seven of them were small in size and corresponded to the number of dwarfs. Here is such an Oscar-Snow White with the dwarfs.

1940 year. First black winner

Recall that not only in the forties of the last century, but much later, racism in the United States flourished at the level of public policy. No wonder this film award is called "the choice of whites." But, nevertheless, the film "Gone with the Wind" received 13 nominations, one of which "Best Supporting Role" went to Hattie McDaniel. It was the actress who played the black Mamushka who became the winner. At that time, such a recognition was nonsense. Nevertheless, Hattie McDaniel, embracing the statuette, was forced to return to celebrate the victory in her place near a small table standing at a distance from the invited guests.

1943 year. Longest speech

Almost like in the famous story of Khazanov: the boring ceremony dragged on, the time is past midnight, and the next prize-winner, deciding to use the provided word, pushes a speech that lasts for eternity. Actually, actress Greer Garson spoke for only five minutes, but the effect was similar. Therefore, the organizers have now limited the performance time to 45 seconds.

1968 year. Shortest speech

"Brevity is the sister of talent" - so decided Alfred Hitchcock, saying only "Thank you." In fact, the famous director was nominated for an Oscar five times, but he never got the prestigious award. But it happened - a long-awaited statuette, but not for another masterpiece of suspense, but only as an out-of-competition award named after Irving G. Thalberg for achievements in cinema. So in fact, the disappointed director simply had nothing to add to his words.

1972 year. Recognition after 20 years of oblivion

The famous Charlie Chaplin was twice awarded an Oscar for the development of cinema. And if in 1929 this was quite expected, then the 1972 award was accompanied by the words that thanks to the work of this actor, cinema has become an art. The curiosity is that in the last twenty years the name of the actor of the film company tried not to mention because of the political views of the actor. Nevertheless, the award was presented during his lifetime, and the audience gave a standing ovation to the legend of cinema for 12 minutes.

1973 year. Waiver of the award

For the first time this happened - the actor not only refused the award, but also used the ceremony as a way to convey his position in life. Marlon Brando himself did not appear at the celebration, and instead of him, a girl from the American Indian community took the stage. Dressed in national attire, she called on the film academy to address the needs of the indigenous peoples of America. As the best Don Carleone will say later, he does not regret such an act at all, because where else can there be an audience of 85 million people. Well, right! After all, an American film award is just prestige, and you can only get $ 10 for a statuette (the agreement provides for the right of priority sale only to this organization).

1974 year. Exhibitor on stage

Yes, there was such a case - just before the exit of the beautiful Elizabeth Taylor, a completely naked man ran across the stage. It was the artist Robert Opel, who thus only wanted to draw attention to his own person. Well, after the celebration, he was even given the floor at a press conference. However, this did not affect his further career in any way.

1974 year. Youngest actress

A ten-year-old girl Tatum O'Neill received her Oscar for shooting in the film "Paper Moon". And, although there have been younger winners in the history of the award, Tatum remains the first to receive one of the main nominations. She became the best supporting actress.

1992 year. Sports glee

Sometimes the prize is so long-awaited that people often find it difficult to cope with emotions. So, 73-year-old Jack Palance, who became a laureate in the category "male supporting role" for the film "City Slickers", right on stage decided to show that he was "still wow." The actor did three push-ups on one arm, stating that if he did it on two arms, the ceremony would probably drag on.

1999 year. Fastest climb behind the statuette

Three "Oscars" were awarded to the film "Life is Beautiful", winning in the main nominations: for the best soundtrack, the best actor and as the best film in a foreign language. The director Roberto Benigni was so moved that he ran for the long-awaited reward instantly, simply "plodding" on the backs of the chairs.

2002 year. First black winner

And now, almost 60 years after the first "swallow" Hattie McDaniel, won for supporting roles, the main award as the best actress of the year goes to Halle Berry for the film "Ball of Monsters". Barely holding back tears, the dark-skinned beauty said in her speech that she was not happy for herself. Now, in her opinion, the doors to the world of big cinema are open for every woman of color.

2003 year. Kiss of the Year

And again raging feelings. Adrian Brody, who starred in The Pianist and won Best Artist of the Year, couldn't help it. He hugged the bewildered Halle Berry, who announced the name of the winner, and kissed her passionately. As the actress later told the journalists who bothered her, she did not understand anything. The only thing I felt was that the kiss was … wet.

year 2009. Posthumous "Oscar"

Heath Ledger passed away in early 2008, and the film with his participation "The Dark Knight" was released only a few months later. Critics were delighted with his role as Joker. However, the award had to be presented posthumously to his relatives and his three-year-old daughter Matilda.

2010 year. First female director

It is always difficult for a woman to break into a leader in a men's company. Only five women in the history of the film award have been nominated: Lina Werthmüller, Sofia Coppola, Jane Campion and Katherine Bigelow. And only the latter was able to receive the award, presenting to the public the military action movie "The Lord of the Storm". Subsequently, in 2021, Chloe Zhao was also awarded this prestigious title, becoming the second female director in Oscar history and the first woman of Asian descent.

2017 year. Envelope scandal

The most coveted award for the best film is traditionally left as a snack at the ceremony. And so the presenters open the coveted envelope and with bewilderment pronounce the name "La-La Land". Immediately, the actors and creators of the picture go up on stage and begin to give speeches of thanks. Meanwhile, representatives of the company responsible for counting the votes interrupt the speech of the film's producer Fred Berger. He, a little distracted, ends his speech with the words: "By the way, we lost." It turned out that in some incredible way the envelope contained the wrong name of the winner. In fact, the jury of the award voted for the picture "Moonlight". Needless to say, the scandal turned out to be excellent.