Among the problems plaguing the sixtieth
year of the Academy Awards was a writer's strike. The show's
producers had to dance around the issue in order to get material for
that year's show.
Perhaps, in order to compensate, and of
course to celebrate the occasion, the producers filled the show with
clips. There was a salute to past Oscar ceremonies, as well as
tributes to many of the presenters, including Mickey Mouse, Olivia de
Havilland, Gregory Peck and Audrey Hepburn.
Perhaps John
Candy's bit when he gave out the award for Best Makeup captured it
best, when he read an introduction supposedly written by his daughter.
Memorable Lines:
From the Monologue
Good Evening, Hollywood phonies!
Tonight marks many new beginnings, and
the end of many friendships.
Now as most of you know, there is a
writer's strike, so just so you understand, none of this material has
been written by me, or any other member ... in fact most of my material
was generously donated by five teamsters.
Glenn Close is here with her
obstetrician, in case anything unusual pops up. And I have it on
good authority that Cher will indeed be dressed.
A word about the rules. All
eligible Academy members are asked to vote for nominations for Best
Picture. Other nominations are voted on by specialists in each
field. Results of this secret voting are known only to the
accounting firm of Price Waterhouse. ... the girls in the office, Nancy,
Marty ...
The ballots will then be tabulated and
the chosen based on the following criteria:
You're old and you haven't won one yet.
If you are relatively young, or too funny and your name begins with
Steve or Steven, you are ineligible.
Introducing Charlton Heston:
He starred in Ben Hur.
And on a personal note, I would like to say that I feel a special
connection with him. In Ten Commandments, he played Moses, who
parted the Red Sea, and of course, I was in Oh Heavenly Dog.
Introducing Paul Newman:
Chevy: How would you like
to put a little wager on the winner (of Best Actress).
Paul: Ok. How about your house?
Chevy leaves the stage as his pants fall off.
Paul quipped: There's something to be said for comedy.
