1st Academy Awards
The 1st Academy Awards ceremony was presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It was to honor the best movies of 1927 and 1928. It took place on May 16, 1929 in Los Angeles, California. AMPAS president Douglas Fairbanks hosted the show.[1]
Tickets cost five dollars, 270 people attended the event and the ceremony lasted fifteen minutes. Awards were made by Louis B. Mayer. It is the only Academy Awards ceremony not to be broadcast either on radio or television.
During the ceremony, the AMPAS gave Academy Awards (now commonly called Oscars) in twelve categories. Winners were announced three months before the live event. Some nominations were announced without reference to a specific movie. Examples were Ralph Hammeras and Nugent Slaughter, who received nominations in the now defunct category of Engineering Effects.[2] Unlike later ceremonies, an actor or director could be awarded for multiple works in a year. Emil Jannings, for example, was given the Best Actor award for his work in both The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command. Moreover, Charlie Chaplin and Warner Brothers each received an Honorary Award.[3][4]
Nominees and winners
Winners are listed first.
| Outstanding Picture, Production | Unique and Artistic Production |
|---|---|
| Best Director, Comedy Picture | Best Director, Dramatic Picture |
| Best Actor in a Leading Role | Best Actress in a Leading Role |
| Best Writing, Original Story | Best Writing, Adapted Story |
| Best Cinematography | Best Art Direction |
|
|
| Best Engineering Effects | Best Writing, Title Writing |
|
|
Honorary Award
- Charlie Chaplin
- "For versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing and producing The Circus".[3]
- Warner Brothers Production
- "For producing The Jazz Singer, the pioneer outstanding talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry".[3]
Multiple nominations and winners
The following movies received multiple nominations.
- Five: Seventh Heaven
- Four: Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
- Two: The Crowd, Sadie Thompson and Wings
The following movies received multiple awards.
- Three: Seventh Heaven and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
- Two: Wings
References
- ↑ "Names make news". Time Magazine. Time Inc. May 27, 1929. Archived from the original on 27 October 2010. Retrieved October 5, 2010.
- ↑ "The Official Academy Awards Database". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Retrieved February 18, 2012. Reader must select "1927/28" in the "Award Year(s):" drop-down menu and press "Search".
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 "History of the Academy Awards". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on 8 April 2010. Retrieved May 6, 2010.
- ↑ Dirks, Tim. "1927–28 Academy Awards Winners and History". Rainbow Media. Retrieved May 6, 2010.