"Every time an Oscar is given out, an agent gets his wings" ~ Kathy Bates
February 25, 2007 11:08 AM Subscribe
Oscar Lists: Records And Curiosities. A plethora of fun facts to keep you entertained while you wait for the start of the 79th annual Academy Awards ceremony today/tonight. It's part of Oscar Lists: The Index, which is filled with almost every Oscar fact you could possibly need.
interesting fact about this year's Oscars:
Dreamgirls is the first film to be nominated for most awards, but not be nominated for Best Picture.
posted by pruner at 11:29 AM on February 25, 2007
Dreamgirls is the first film to be nominated for most awards, but not be nominated for Best Picture.
posted by pruner at 11:29 AM on February 25, 2007
From the link:
"Throughout its first 73 years until March 2002, the Best Actor Oscar had only been won by a black man once: by SIDNEY POITIER for "The Lilies In The Field" in 1963. In the same period no black female had ever won Best Actress, despite the emergence of strong roles for coloured* actors and actresses from the 1960s onwards."
* WTF? (Emphasis mine.)
posted by docgonzo at 11:34 AM on February 25, 2007
"Throughout its first 73 years until March 2002, the Best Actor Oscar had only been won by a black man once: by SIDNEY POITIER for "The Lilies In The Field" in 1963. In the same period no black female had ever won Best Actress, despite the emergence of strong roles for coloured* actors and actresses from the 1960s onwards."
* WTF? (Emphasis mine.)
posted by docgonzo at 11:34 AM on February 25, 2007
JOSEPH L. MANKIEWICZ deserves a special mention for his efforts in Directing for 1949. He achieved Best Director in that year for "A Letter To Three Wives", but the film itself failed to achieve Best Picture - instead that honour went to "All The King's Men"... also directed by Joseph L. Mankiewicz!
Which is a great fact, except that Mankiewicz didn't direct All The King's Men.
posted by flashboy at 12:28 PM on February 25, 2007
Which is a great fact, except that Mankiewicz didn't direct All The King's Men.
posted by flashboy at 12:28 PM on February 25, 2007
It's probably not the best site in the world when the first 'fact' out of the gate (Two films share the record for the highest number of awards received) is rather hopelessly out of date.
posted by Paragon at 12:52 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by Paragon at 12:52 PM on February 25, 2007
Yeah, that's a weird fuckup, flashboy. Mankiewicz is the only director to win both writing and directing oscars two years in a row, though--and for '49 and '50 so maybe that's what the person was thinking. Strange. Nice link, otherwise.
posted by dobbs at 12:57 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by dobbs at 12:57 PM on February 25, 2007
Dreamgirls is the first film to be nominated for most awards, but not be nominated for Best Picture.
Yes, because they still need to include at least one Hollywood "product" to keep the masses' attention.
Jennifer Hudson is not an actor, yet she won a GG and will win the Oscar tonight- because it's "a good story", as the media execs like to say.
People whom you could not pay to go see "Babel" would not even bother to watch tonight if it were not for this "story".
Yeah- she's a great singer. So maybe she should go win some Grammys.
posted by wfc123 at 12:59 PM on February 25, 2007
Yes, because they still need to include at least one Hollywood "product" to keep the masses' attention.
Jennifer Hudson is not an actor, yet she won a GG and will win the Oscar tonight- because it's "a good story", as the media execs like to say.
People whom you could not pay to go see "Babel" would not even bother to watch tonight if it were not for this "story".
Yeah- she's a great singer. So maybe she should go win some Grammys.
posted by wfc123 at 12:59 PM on February 25, 2007
i found this interesting...
Several actors have won 2 oscars in their careers, but only WALTER BRENNAN and JACK NICHOLSON have achieved a record 3 Oscars for Best Acting in Leading and/or Supporting roles.
LAURENCE OLIVIER was nominated 11 times (10 for acting roles) during his career - a record only surpassed recently by JACK NICHOLSON with his 12th acting nomination in 2002.
followed by...
KATHERINE HEPBURN achieved a record 4 Oscars for Best Female Acting in Leading and/or Supporting roles. All were for Leading roles only (!) during a span of 48 years, and were awarded for 1933 (for "Morning Glory"), 1967 ("Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"), 1968 ("The Lion In Winter") and 1981 (for "On Golden Pond").Presently MERYL STREEP has only two Oscars, but with her 12th acting nomination (and 10th in a leading role) for 1999's "Music Of The Heart" she equalled the record first set by Katherine Hepburn for most-nominated actress, and surpassed it with her 13th nomination for a supporting role in 2002's "Adaptation".
If I'm reading that right,Walter Brennan, Laurence Olivier, and Jack Nicholson aren't record holders for number of wins/nominations.
Not that I'm attempting to derail into a discussion about gender politics. I just found it interesting from a "based on Oscar nominations and awards, who's the best actor of all time?" point of view. Gotta go with Hepburn, right? But if you count nominations as a special form of recognition, it's a tossup between Streep and Nicholson. Oscars notwithstanding, I'm with Jack all the way.
The above linked trivia resource guarantees I will be ruining tonights Oscar watching for everone around me.
posted by billyfleetwood at 1:06 PM on February 25, 2007
Several actors have won 2 oscars in their careers, but only WALTER BRENNAN and JACK NICHOLSON have achieved a record 3 Oscars for Best Acting in Leading and/or Supporting roles.
LAURENCE OLIVIER was nominated 11 times (10 for acting roles) during his career - a record only surpassed recently by JACK NICHOLSON with his 12th acting nomination in 2002.
followed by...
KATHERINE HEPBURN achieved a record 4 Oscars for Best Female Acting in Leading and/or Supporting roles. All were for Leading roles only (!) during a span of 48 years, and were awarded for 1933 (for "Morning Glory"), 1967 ("Guess Who's Coming To Dinner"), 1968 ("The Lion In Winter") and 1981 (for "On Golden Pond").Presently MERYL STREEP has only two Oscars, but with her 12th acting nomination (and 10th in a leading role) for 1999's "Music Of The Heart" she equalled the record first set by Katherine Hepburn for most-nominated actress, and surpassed it with her 13th nomination for a supporting role in 2002's "Adaptation".
If I'm reading that right,Walter Brennan, Laurence Olivier, and Jack Nicholson aren't record holders for number of wins/nominations.
Not that I'm attempting to derail into a discussion about gender politics. I just found it interesting from a "based on Oscar nominations and awards, who's the best actor of all time?" point of view. Gotta go with Hepburn, right? But if you count nominations as a special form of recognition, it's a tossup between Streep and Nicholson. Oscars notwithstanding, I'm with Jack all the way.
The above linked trivia resource guarantees I will be ruining tonights Oscar watching for everone around me.
posted by billyfleetwood at 1:06 PM on February 25, 2007
People whom you could not pay to go see "Babel" would not even bother to watch tonight if it were not for this "story".
I paid to see Babel and wish I hadn't. Good fuck it was boring.
posted by dobbs at 1:08 PM on February 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
I paid to see Babel and wish I hadn't. Good fuck it was boring.
posted by dobbs at 1:08 PM on February 25, 2007 [1 favorite]
Jennifer Hudson is not an actor, yet she won a GG and will win the Oscar tonight- because it's "a good story", as the media execs like to say.
An actor is someone who acts, by definition. Jennifer Hudson acted -- and by more than a few people's reckoning, acted quite well -- in Dreamgirls so by what rights is she not an actor?
posted by Dreama at 1:35 PM on February 25, 2007
An actor is someone who acts, by definition. Jennifer Hudson acted -- and by more than a few people's reckoning, acted quite well -- in Dreamgirls so by what rights is she not an actor?
posted by Dreama at 1:35 PM on February 25, 2007
I should have noted that the main site I linked to is only current to 2002 (I was caught up in my geeky fascination with all the historical factoids and archives, and I didn't notice that at first)... I hope that doesn't take away from anyone's enjoyment of the link. :)
posted by amyms at 1:42 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amyms at 1:42 PM on February 25, 2007
(well, my realization is too late for paragon, sorry)
posted by amyms at 1:43 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amyms at 1:43 PM on February 25, 2007
People whom you could not pay to go see "Babel" would not even bother to watch tonight if it were not for this "story".
The fact that tripe like "Babel" is nominated (and will probably win Best Picture) while a stunning film like "Children Of Men" is almost completely overlooked is good enough reason not to watch the Oscars.
posted by EarBucket at 2:40 PM on February 25, 2007
The fact that tripe like "Babel" is nominated (and will probably win Best Picture) while a stunning film like "Children Of Men" is almost completely overlooked is good enough reason not to watch the Oscars.
posted by EarBucket at 2:40 PM on February 25, 2007
Children of Men? Meh. I thought it was entertaining but it relied on shock value and the plot line made swiss cheese look watertight. I watched Babel last night and I thought it was much better.
posted by jimmythefish at 2:59 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by jimmythefish at 2:59 PM on February 25, 2007
Babel gets a big ol' "meh," though I hope Brad Pitt finally gets his due, just not for that, and not against "Last King of Scotland."
Children of Men and forgodssakes Pan's Labyrinth were far superior.
posted by Navelgazer at 3:05 PM on February 25, 2007
Children of Men and forgodssakes Pan's Labyrinth were far superior.
posted by Navelgazer at 3:05 PM on February 25, 2007
The Academy Awards are NEVER indicative of the greatest artistic film achievements of the past year. They are a popularity contest. To argue who should win based on quality is an exercise in futility by people who don't understand the process.
Having said that, I love Oscar night. I watch it as I watch the Superbowl. Who gives a fuck who wins? The fun is in the game.
(Oh, and if "Little Miss Sunshine" wins, it's the greatest fucking travesty in the history of motion pictures)
posted by ColdChef at 5:13 PM on February 25, 2007
Having said that, I love Oscar night. I watch it as I watch the Superbowl. Who gives a fuck who wins? The fun is in the game.
(Oh, and if "Little Miss Sunshine" wins, it's the greatest fucking travesty in the history of motion pictures)
posted by ColdChef at 5:13 PM on February 25, 2007
(Not really, I enjoyed it, but...how did it sneak into the competition this year?)
posted by ColdChef at 5:13 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by ColdChef at 5:13 PM on February 25, 2007
Oh! And what-the-fuck! This linked site hasn't been updated in five years?
posted by ColdChef at 5:15 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by ColdChef at 5:15 PM on February 25, 2007
Having said that, I love Oscar night. I watch it as I watch the Superbowl. Who gives a fuck who wins? The fun is in the game.
I agree, ColdChef.
Oh! And what-the-fuck! This linked site hasn't been updated in five years?
Yeah, I mea culpa-ed that a few comments up... I linked the site for the fun historical tidbits, but the additional sites I mentioned in my first comment will provide you with more recent winners' information.
posted by amyms at 6:00 PM on February 25, 2007
I agree, ColdChef.
Oh! And what-the-fuck! This linked site hasn't been updated in five years?
Yeah, I mea culpa-ed that a few comments up... I linked the site for the fun historical tidbits, but the additional sites I mentioned in my first comment will provide you with more recent winners' information.
posted by amyms at 6:00 PM on February 25, 2007
A good fact is that, with Dreamgirls' victory in the sound mixing category, Apocalypto's sound mixer Kevin O'Connell now boasts an impressive 19 Oscar nominations and no wins. Scorsese's an amateur compared to that guy.
posted by flashboy at 7:37 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by flashboy at 7:37 PM on February 25, 2007
Kevin O'Connell is the Susan Lucci of sound mixers. When he does eventually win (I mean, we knew it wouldn't be for Apocalypto, awarding that, even in technical categories, would be like awarding Satan himself, perhaps worse) he'll get a 3 minute standing ovation.
posted by Dreama at 8:51 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by Dreama at 8:51 PM on February 25, 2007
It's such a boring show--except for Al's presidential run joke, and the Travolta Hairspray/outing? joke. : >
Nikki Finke is bitching about it as she liveblogs--she hates the whole show and especially Gore.
And that stupid dance silhouette thing--ugh!
posted by amberglow at 9:00 PM on February 25, 2007
Nikki Finke is bitching about it as she liveblogs--she hates the whole show and especially Gore.
And that stupid dance silhouette thing--ugh!
posted by amberglow at 9:00 PM on February 25, 2007
from Finke: Someone just emailed me that these two look like the Class of 2015 for drug rehab. (about Will Smith's kid and Little Miss Sunshine) ; >
posted by amberglow at 9:11 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amberglow at 9:11 PM on February 25, 2007
Scorcese got Director and Picture--isn't that rare?
posted by amberglow at 9:15 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amberglow at 9:15 PM on February 25, 2007
I liked the "Nekid-Shadow-People" thing. HATED the acceptance speeches. All "laundry list". Nothing inspirational. Ellen should have come out and said that there'd been a recount and she'd need to take Gore's Oscar back.
posted by ColdChef at 9:22 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by ColdChef at 9:22 PM on February 25, 2007
that would have been perfect!
she didn't really do anything at all political except for that one 2000 joke about him in the beginning--it makes it so much more boring. And her outfits sucked--like she didn't even want to make an effort.
a really lame show, i think.
posted by amberglow at 9:26 PM on February 25, 2007
she didn't really do anything at all political except for that one 2000 joke about him in the beginning--it makes it so much more boring. And her outfits sucked--like she didn't even want to make an effort.
a really lame show, i think.
posted by amberglow at 9:26 PM on February 25, 2007
all the Babel people must be pissed -- they thought they'd get the Crash/Magnolia treatment, i bet.
posted by amberglow at 9:27 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amberglow at 9:27 PM on February 25, 2007
list of winners here
I'm pissed Children of Men was totally shut out.
posted by amberglow at 9:30 PM on February 25, 2007
I'm pissed Children of Men was totally shut out.
posted by amberglow at 9:30 PM on February 25, 2007
I love Jennifer Hudson (but her dress was awful, and the space villian capelet! ugh!!!)-- i'm glad she won at every show so far--her and America Ferrara.
Rachel Weisz was stunning, and JLo for once looked good, i thought.
posted by amberglow at 9:34 PM on February 25, 2007
Rachel Weisz was stunning, and JLo for once looked good, i thought.
posted by amberglow at 9:34 PM on February 25, 2007
here's Jennifer Hudson and Penelope (Penelope was too severe, i thought--the hair)
posted by amberglow at 9:37 PM on February 25, 2007
posted by amberglow at 9:37 PM on February 25, 2007
I thought the shadow dancers were kind of neat, except for their Snakes On A Plane tribute, which was fucking brilliant.
posted by EarBucket at 4:16 AM on February 26, 2007
posted by EarBucket at 4:16 AM on February 26, 2007
I thought Ellen was pretty good... but where the fuck was she during 90% of it? That's the least we've ever seen of any host, as far as I can remember. And who was that grey-hair'd idiot pre-commercial. Christ, he was awful awful awful.
And I'm glad CoM won zip and disappointed that Scorsese finally wins an Oscar and he wins for one of the worst of his career. Ich.
And her outfits sucked
I liked her first one, actually.
posted by dobbs at 6:17 AM on February 26, 2007
And I'm glad CoM won zip and disappointed that Scorsese finally wins an Oscar and he wins for one of the worst of his career. Ich.
And her outfits sucked
I liked her first one, actually.
posted by dobbs at 6:17 AM on February 26, 2007
Kvetch, kvetch, kvetch. Let's talk about how drop-dead gorgeous Kate Winslet was! And Helen Mirren! Whoah...
Dammit, I can't help myself. Everyone else in the supporting actress category was robbed. And The Departed-- meh. And Jack Nicholson looked liked a dead toad that had been left too long out in the sun.
posted by jokeefe at 7:52 AM on February 26, 2007
Dammit, I can't help myself. Everyone else in the supporting actress category was robbed. And The Departed-- meh. And Jack Nicholson looked liked a dead toad that had been left too long out in the sun.
posted by jokeefe at 7:52 AM on February 26, 2007
Ellen is like the most random choice to host--she's too daytime and rambling and casual. I'm betting she agreed not to be too political (after Jon Stewart and Chris Rock the past few years)
Red Carpet Recycling: Who Said Knockoff?
posted by amberglow at 9:55 AM on February 26, 2007
Red Carpet Recycling: Who Said Knockoff?
posted by amberglow at 9:55 AM on February 26, 2007
My favorite Oscar comment, from years ago (and I wish I could remember the source):
Gandhi won for Best Picture because Gandhi was how Academy members consider themselves: tan, thin, and noble.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:49 AM on February 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
Gandhi won for Best Picture because Gandhi was how Academy members consider themselves: tan, thin, and noble.
posted by potsmokinghippieoverlord at 11:49 AM on February 26, 2007 [1 favorite]
That Gandhi quip was from Joe Morgenstern in Time magazine.
posted by EarBucket at 1:20 PM on February 26, 2007
posted by EarBucket at 1:20 PM on February 26, 2007
Worst of his career? Nooooo way.
posted by ageispolis at 10:04 PM on February 26, 2007
posted by ageispolis at 10:04 PM on February 26, 2007
2 juicy blind Oscar items: (near the bottom--under Don't Shoot the Messenger) ; >
posted by amberglow at 6:39 PM on February 27, 2007
posted by amberglow at 6:39 PM on February 27, 2007
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This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments
If you're interested in Oscar fashion, there's a photo gallery of the good, the bad and the ugly from past ceremonies here.
posted by amyms at 11:12 AM on February 25, 2007