Academy Awards Then 'n' Now

This Day in History: May 16, 1929

From then...

There is always a beginning. The Academy Awards began at some time, somewhere. Do you know why, when, and where? 

The 1st Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 1927 and 1928. It took place on May 16, 1929, at a private dinner held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California. Tickets cost five dollars ($5), 270 people attended the event and the presentation ceremony lasted fifteen minutes. It is the only Academy Awards ceremony not to be broadcast either on radio or television.

The first Academy Awards went to silent films. At this time, movies with sound had just been introduced. Therefore, because of their infancy and possible unfairness in competition - silent vs. sound - the 'talkies' were not eligible for Best Picture.

Visit Awakenings Reflections on First Oscars that was posted on the eve of Oscar weekend 2014 for a peek at the following:

Wings (1927 Silent Film) 
Best Picture

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Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans (1927 Silent Film)

Unique and Artistic Production
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First Televised Oscars Opening (1953)
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First Oscar Awards Ceremony in Color (1966)
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Youngest winner of an Oscar
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First X-rated film to win Best Picture
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Shortest performance to win an acting Oscar
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Reflection on the firms/performances will definitely make you wonder "What does it REALLY take to win an Oscar?" 

'Til Now...

Take a peek at Oscar Night 2014. Did you have a favorite? Which of your picks won the coveted Oscar?

Why Oscar?