The 70th Academy Award ceremony on March 23, 1998, is the most-watched Oscar ceremony to date — most likely due to a “Titanic” film nominated for several awards. However, Gil Gates, who produced 14 Oscar ceremonies between 1990 and 2008, also wanted a special segment to recognize Oscar’s platinum anniversary, and arranged for 70 past acting winners to sit together on the stage, with Norman Rose announcing the films for which each performer won. It was a spectacular gathering of actors and actresses from Classic Hollywood, New Hollywood and the contemporary period.
Let’s flashback to the first Oscars family album featured in the ceremony 25 years ago.
SEEOscar flashback 25 years to 1998: Winners are Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Robin Williams and ‘Titanic’ ratings for ABC
Among those present was the first performer to win back-to-back acting Oscars, Best Actress champ Luise Rainer. At the age of 88, she was the oldest one on the stage; when she...
Let’s flashback to the first Oscars family album featured in the ceremony 25 years ago.
SEEOscar flashback 25 years to 1998: Winners are Jack Nicholson, Helen Hunt, Robin Williams and ‘Titanic’ ratings for ABC
Among those present was the first performer to win back-to-back acting Oscars, Best Actress champ Luise Rainer. At the age of 88, she was the oldest one on the stage; when she...
- 3/7/2023
- by Susan Pennington and Chris Beachum
- Gold Derby
Pre-show telecasts and the glitzy red carpet Oscars arrivals planned for Sunday's Academy Awards have been scrapped due to stars' fears they'll look "frivolous" during war time. Oscar producer Gil Gates staged a press conference late yesterday insisting the ceremony would go ahead as planned, but organizers have decided to do away with the hours of red carpet razzmatazz that traditionally precedes the show - as a mark of respect to troops fighting abroad. Cates also revealed that there would be no bleachers at this year's Oscars, and that fans, paparazzi and journalists hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars should stay away from the event. He said, "We've had calls from agents concerned about stars stopping and chatting to the press. It's inappropriate this year. We all understand that the country is on the brink of war and maybe sending American men and women into harms way almost as we speak. We must prepare for the show to be produced under those circumstances. Keeping in mind the world situation, the Academy has elected to prepare a more sober pre-show and a scaled-back arrivals sequence. The traditional flashy red carpet arrivals line will be truncated and the portions of the arrivals press line that existed last year will be eliminated. Guests arriving by limousine will exit their cars on Hollywood Boulevard and enter the Kodak Theatre directly through the arrivals arch. The Acedemy's decision is meant to address the concerns of these celebrities and to reflect the circumstances under which we are now producing this show." Cates also confirmed a deal with TV network bosses at ABC, which will enable news chiefs to cut into the Oscars telecast with war updates. He added, "We are continuing our efforts to bring the show together on Sunday but we do understand that ABC may adjust to war coverage if it is required, and that ABC news will cover news as it happens. Nevertheless, we wish to be able to continue to celebrate the magnificent achievements of our film makers last year and to present them with the Academy Awards that they have earned."...
- 3/19/2003
- WENN
Oscars organizers have repeated their vow to hold the Academy Awards later this month irrespective of a war on Iraq - although the "tone" of the bash will change. Producer Gil Gates informed a Beverly Hills, California luncheon - which included nominees Nicole Kidman, Catherine Zeta-Jones, Sir Michael Caine and Nicolas Cage - that the ceremony will definitely go ahead in a fortnight's time. However, Gates also conceded that if America is at war with Iraq at the time, then the awards in the Kodak Theatre will be altered accordingly. He said, "If we are at war, the Oscar telecast will obviously reflect that reality. It will be reflected in areas that we can control as well as, no doubt, in the parts we can't control, such as your acceptance speeches. The show will go on and our purpose remains the same as it has for 75 years - to celebrate our art form and honor its most accomplished practioneers (sic)." Nominees Daniel Day-Lewis and Ed Harris agreed with Gates' sentiments. Day-Lewis, competing for Best Actor for his performance in Gangs Of New York, commented, "It would seem obscene if we were trouncing up a red carpet grinning and waving while all these people are dying somewhere in the world." The Hours supporting-actor Harris added, "You should still have it but the tone should change. The Oscars are not a political forum but a prayer for peace would be all right."...
- 3/13/2003
- WENN
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