It was the 16 May 1929 when the most prestigious film award in the world made its debut in Los Angeles. The Academy Award of Merit, better known as Oscar Prize, was awarded three years before the Venice Film Festival began awarding its prizes. The first statuette was awarded to the German actor Emil Jannings as best protagonist in the film "Twilight of glory" and Janet Gaynor, as best actress for her performance in "XNUMXth Heaven".
The ceremony was very different as we know it today: devoid of glitzy dresses, red carpets or hordes of fans and photographers crowded everywhere. Also because they were hard times for America, marked by Great Depression, one of the darkest economic crises in history. Despite this, Hollywood saw the film industry as a propaganda tool to boost morale in the country.
But let's go back to 1927 when the exponents of the US film industry (directors, authors, producers, actors, etc.) founded theAcademy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), proposing an annual award for the best film, director and actor, which, however, was not made up of the usual cup. Furthermore, compared to the first ceremony, the categories have also increased, going from 5 to 26.
To qualify, a film had to be released in the California city in the twelve months ending July 31 of the previous year. The rule changes in 1934, when a film must have been released in the previous calendar year to be eligible to compete. Furthermore, since 2004 the Oscar night it is generally held on the last Sunday of February or the first of March.
La statuette, depicting a knight holding a sword standing on a reel of five-ray film, it is plated in 24 carat gold and is 35 centimeters tall, with a trade value of about $300. During the years of the Second World War (1942-1944) they were made of plaster because they were afraid that someone might steal or sell them. Furthermore, the winners are invited not to sell it but, if necessary, return it to AMPAS.
And the name Oscar Where is he from? According to the most accredited version Margaret Herrick, director of the Academy since 1931, looking at the statuette began: "He looks like my uncle Oscar" and from that moment the Academy Award of Merit has become the Oscar award for everyone.
Today, winning an Oscar represents the final goal, a true dream, for all those who work in the sector. It will be for the golden statuette, for the sumptuous ceremony or for the dresses designed by famous stylists that glide down the red carpet "divinizing" the guests, but the night of the Oscars remains the most awaited film event in the world.
Who has never won an Oscar
Despite the fame and success, there are still many celebrities who have come close to the prestigious award. A long list that also includes the names of those who have not received even one nomination so far. Here's who:
- Glenn Close, has collected the most nominations of all without winning even once, although he has participated in great films such as: “The Big Chill”, “Fatal Attraction”, “Dangerous Liaisons” and “Albert Nobbs”. Not even the last edition of the Academy Awards, however, has broken the curse.
- Jim Carrey who has failed to shed his comedian label. Great interpreter, very eclectic and he demonstrated it with "Ace Ventura", "The Mask", "The Truman Show", "The Majestic" and the unforgettable "Se mi lasci ti gate". Different roles that never got him even a nomination.
- Johnny Depp, with "Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl", "Neverland" and "Sweeney Todd".
- Harrison Ford. One of the actors who made the history of cinema, going from fighting the Death Star as Han Solo, in the jungle with Indiana Jones and taking part in one of the cinematic cornerstones such as Blade Runner. A full, rich career that earned him only one nomination in 1986 for Witness, the witness.
- Edward Norton, as a director with “Motherless Brooklyn” and an actor in “Fear Fright,” “American History X” and “Birdman.”
- Samuel L. Jackson, who has starred in numerous successful films, especially directed by Spike Lee and Quentin Tarantino.
- Michael Keaton which gained fame thanks to Tim Burton's Batman. After many guest star films, in recent years he has returned to the limelight thanks to "Birdman" and "The Spotlight Case".
- Michelle Pfeiffer, one step away from the Oscars for "Dangerous Liaisons", "The Fabulous Baker Boys" and "Two Strangers, One Destiny".
But the list doesn't end there. Also Meg Ryan, Viggo Mortensen, Liam Neeson, Arnlod Schwarzenegger, Sylvester Stallone, Sharon Stone and John Travolta they had no luck. Even in directing there are well-loved and well-known names that have failed to win an Oscar, such as Alfred Hitchcock, Stanley Kubrick, Greta Garbo and Mae West.
And there are also those who had to wait years and act at -40°. As Leonardo di Caprio, with a brilliant career behind him, covering different roles and working with the best around, won the Oscar for best actor only in 2016, after being close to winning seven times. Also Brad Pitt, has collected many nominations thanks to “12 Monkeys”, “The Curious Case of Benjamin Button” and “Moneyball”. Then his performance in Once Upon a Time in Hollywood finally earned him the coveted award. In the end, Ennio Morricone he had to wait until 2007 to win the Lifetime Achievement Oscar for his wonderful compositions. And 2016, winning his second Oscar for the soundtrack of the film "The Hateful Eight" by Quentin Tarantino.
Posthumous candidacy
There are also those who won or were nominated only post mortem. Sidney howard he won the Oscar for the screenplay of “Gone with the Wind” (1939), Peter finch won the award for best actor in “Fifth Kane” in (1976), Conrad Hall for the best cinematography in the film "He was my father" (2002). A posthumous recognition also came to Heath Ledger who won the Oscar with Joker in "The Dark Knight" (2008) as best supporting actor, a few days after his tragic death. James Dean, who died in an accident in 1955, was nominated for best leading actor in 1956 for the film "Valley of Eden" and then in 1957 for the film "The Giant". And finally, the unforgettable Massimo Troisi, posthumously nominated for an Oscar as leading actor and as screenwriter for "The Postman" in 1996.
