Oscars 2008 - Movies
Oscars on Film
When someone refers to an Oscar movie, they’re usually talking about a film that won an Academy Award. But there are also movies where the Oscars provide a major plot point. Here are five films that wouldn’t be the same without Oscar
By Marni Weisz
1. California Suite (1978)
How Oscar Figures In: Based
on the Neil Simon play, the movie intertwines the stories of four sets
of people staying at the same Los Angeles hotel. One of those sets is
British actor Diana Barrie (Maggie Smith) and her husband Sidney
Cochran (Michael Caine), who have come to L.A. because she’s been
nominated for an Oscar.
Trivia:
Smith and Caine’s scenes outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion were
filmed before the 50th Academy Awards. Richard Burton, who was
nominated that year, can be seen in one shot.
Oscar Worthy? Maggie Smith won for Best Supporting Actress. The film was also nominated for Art/Set Decoration and Adapted Screenplay.
2. For Your Consideration (2006)
How Oscar Figures In: On the set of a terrible indie drama about a Jewish family celebrating Purim, a ridiculous rumour starts about Oscar buzz surrounding fading star Marilyn Hack’s (Catherine O’Hara) performance.
Trivia: The story was inspired by a movie that writer and director Christopher Guest worked on early in his career. Just a few days into shooting, someone told the cinematographer to prepare for an Oscar nomination.
Oscar Worthy? No Academy Awards, no nominations. And those who honestly suggested that O’Hara might be nominated should feel a bit self-conscious.
3. Naked Gun 33 1/3: The Final Insult (1994)
How Oscar Figures In: Seven years before 9/11 necessitated a dramatic increase in security at the Oscars, this third Naked Gun movie has Lt. Frank Drebin (Leslie Nielsen) trying to stop a group of terrorists from detonating a bomb at the Academy Awards.
Trivia: The film co-stars two actors who later became infamous for other things — O.J. Simpson and Anna Nicole Smith. Both won Razzie Awards for their performances, Simpson for Worst Supporting Actor and Smith for Worst New Star.
Oscar Worthy? Um, no.
4. A Star Is Born (1954)
How Oscar Figures In: Judy
Garland plays Esther Blodgett, an up-and-coming singer who gets
involved with fading, alcoholic actor Norman Maine (James Mason). With
Maine’s help, she changes her name to Vicki Lester and finds success in
motion pictures. As Lester’s star rises, Maine’s plummets and his
jealousy comes to a peak during the Academy Awards just after she’s won
Best Actress. Drunk, he dramatically interrupts the ceremony to beg for
a job, accidentally slapping Lester in the face.
Trivia:
While in the movie it’s James Mason’s character dealing with substance
abuse, it was Garland who died of a drug overdose 15 years later. Mason
(with whom she’d had an affair) delivered her eulogy.
Oscar Worthy?
It didn’t win any, but was nominated for six — Best Actor (Mason), Best
Actress (Garland), Art/Set Decoration, Costume Design, Original Song
and Score
5. In & Out (1997)
How Oscar Figures In: When actor Cameron Drake (Matt Dillon) wins an Oscar for playing a gay soldier he thanks his high school teacher Howard Brackett (Kevin Kline) for being his inspiration in playing a gay character. Problem is, Brackett’s not out of the closet, he’s not even sure he is gay. After all, he’s engaged to a woman.
Trivia: Inspired by Tom Hanks’ acceptance speech for Philadelphia in which he thanked a gay teacher. Although the teacher was openly gay, many in his life had no idea about his sexual orientation.
Oscar Worthy? Joan Cusack received a Best Supporting Actress nomination for her performance as
Brackett’s fiancée.