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Oscar ceremonies on DVD?

post #1 of 4
12/23/07 at 6:20pm
Thread Starter 
Hi there!

Are there any plans to release all Oscar ceremonies on DVD? They are available somewhere? I am not talking about the best moments from Academy Awards, I am talking about the whole ceremony, from each year. I have a VHS tape with the greatest moments from 1971 to 1991, and that's all.

And if they were never released, can you recommend the best tapes or DVDs about the Oscar?

Thanks in advance.
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post #2 of 4
12/24/07 at 8:21am

Re: Oscar ceremonies on DVD?

That would be nigh impossible. Most oscar ceremonies, prior to their first telecast in 1953, had very little footage taken (if any at all), usually for the purpose of newsreels. Then there lies the problem of surviving materials (kiniscopes, original VT, etc.) for the telecasts from 1953 to about 1971 (the earliest I know to survive). Too much of a headache personally.
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post #3 of 4
12/24/07 at 11:47am

Re: Oscar ceremonies on DVD?

And what about from 1971 on?
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post #4 of 4
12/24/07 at 4:24pm

Re: Oscar ceremonies on DVD?

I've been taping the Academy Award show since 1988. I think they are a wonderful look into the sense of the times that is often overlooked (even the commercials),

I still think the look at previous award ceremonies (shown in '88) is one of the most memorable moments I've ever seen on TV.
  • It occurs 55 minutes in, is introduced by Charlton Heston
  • Lasts about 6 1/2 minutes
  • Reduces me to a puddle every time I've seen it
  • I just watched it again...4 times
  • Love (among...well the whole thing)
    • Goldie Hawn going "Oh my god" before announcing George C. Scott winning for "Patton"
    • Liza Minnelli in some music number lying on her side, going "That's the one" and kicking her leg
    • A glimpse at Katharine Hepburn's sole appearance at the show
    • Richard Burton, William Holden, Burt Lancaster, Bob Fosse
    • Francois Truffaut
    • How young everybody looks
    • Cary Grant wiping his eye at his tribute
    • Charles Chaplin at his tribute (right after Audrey Hepburn announces "A Man For All Seasons" as Best pic)
    • James Cagney announcing "All The King's Men" as Best Pic
    • Audrey Hepburn announcing "Mar-Tee" as best pic
    • David Niven's face as the streaker goes by
    • Bette Midler's "How do you like it so far, kids?"
    • Kirk Douglas staring at (I think) Raquel Welch)
    • Marlee Matlin and Louise Fletcher
    • Jessica Lange ("Tootsie") strutting to the stage immediately followed by Jack Lemmon ("Tiger") walking, then stopping and pulling a move
    • Ingrid Bergman announcing "It's A Tie" (Streisand and Hepburn)
    • Bob Hope mispronouncing Ronald Reagan's name (he was doing the color for the show)
    • Whovever it it is (someone please tell me) who bows their head and claps their hands...it is an iconic moment for me...occurs right after the Gig Young shot)
    • Sacheen Littlefeather declining Brando's Oscar followed immediately by Jack Lemmon declaring its one hell of an honor ("Save The Tiger") and John Wayne going "Wow" ("True Grit")
    • A silent Vanessa Redgrave encountering the catcall's
    • Warren Beatty announcing "Godfather Part II" as best pic and Francis Ford Coppola rejoicing in two of the pic in pics ("The Conversation" was also nominated...those were the days...)
    • Norman Mailer announcing Paddy Chavevsky (for "Network");
And so many more. It is so expertly edited and scored that it is simply breathtaking.

Of course, after it ends, Steve Guttenberg appears...
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