I haven't seen "Slumdog Millionaire." Until the Golden Globes, I hadn't even heard of it. EIGHT Oscars! It seems like that happens a lot; a great movie wins, but takes several other categories along the way. I guess it makes sense.Have you ever wondered if the recipients know in advance that they've won or lost? Officially, the Academy holds to its rule that winners names are, indeed, sealed in those precious envelopes. In early years, winning names were given to newspapers in advance so that they could get the information into their editions before press time. However, it is said that the Los Angeles Times once leaked the results prior to the broadcast, effectively ruining the evening and the mystery.
In 1948, both Rosalind Russell (shown above) and Loretta Young were up for best actress. The story goes that Russell had everything going for her, including the best PR representation in town. So certain she was of her win, she began to rise from her seat before Frederic March could utter the words "Loretta Young for the Farmer's Daughter". Variety had already typeset her victory for the next day's edition. Not to be shamed by her erroneous assumption, Russell continued to her feet and led an astonished crowd in a standing ovation. That's class.
Why do I know this detailed minutia? Because the opening scene of my upcoming romantic mystery, CAPE SEDUCTION, reprises this very night at the Shrine Auditorium in Hollywood. I'm a sucker for old Hollywood, for its glamour, its mystery, its unapologetic excess. Oscar night is one of those almost historic rituals that epitomizes and keeps alive, to some extent, that golden era.
~Anne
Anne Carter is the author of paranormal romantic mystery, POINT SURRENDER, from Echelon Press, Amazon and Fictionwise. Visit Anne at BeaconStreetBooks.com.
11 comments:
I'm old enough to remember those great actresses of the past. And the picture at the bottom of your screen looks like Paramount Studios. I grew up a block and a half from there on Cameford Avenue and attended Vine Street Elementary School. When I was a child, we used to sit on the porch in the evenings to watch the "Stars" drive by.
That'll be a great twist for your book!
I wasn't surprised. Actually, I really hadn't seen any of the Oscar movies outside of The Dark Knight, Kung Fu Panda and Wall-E!
L. Diane Wolfe
www.circleoffriendsbooks.blogspot.com
www.spunkonastick.net
www.thecircleoffriends.net
Jean, we have lots to talk about! I grew up in the Valley, but my girlfriend and I often hung out near the studios in hopes of seeing stars. Sheesh -- I could've sat on your porch instead!
~Anne
Yes, you could have.:) I meant to say that the auditorium reminded me of Paramount Studios, the huge buildings. My street ran right up to the entrance of Paramount, but of course, you had to have a pass to get in.
The Farmer's Daughter is a classic. I also liked the Bishop's Wife with Loretta Young. Oh, yes, I also remember the Loretta Young Show.
Morgan Mandel
http://morganmandel.blogspot.com
Anne
Awesome tie in to a current event. If you would like to send me this post or even expand on the book info and the pix and I'll post it on my current events blog for you. It is for posts that tie book content to current events and one of the last posts was about old Hollywood and the Oscars :)
Nikki Leigh
nikki@nikkileigh.com
My dad worked at Paramount as the head plumber. He was the one who figured out how to part the Red Sea for the movie Exodus. Today it would be done by computer, back then it was glass, hydraulics and pipes.
The Academy Awards aren't as exciting as they used to be, too many of the movies that win aren't enjoyable movies such as The Reader or Resurrection Road. I hope to see Slumdog Millionaire as I've watched several Indian movies that I really liked.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
My dad worked at Paramount as the head plumber. He was the one who figured out how to part the Red Sea for the movie Exodus. Today it would be done by computer, back then it was glass, hydraulics and pipes.
The Academy Awards aren't as exciting as they used to be, too many of the movies that win aren't enjoyable movies such as The Reader or Resurrection Road. I hope to see Slumdog Millionaire as I've watched several Indian movies that I really liked.
Marilyn
http://fictionforyou.com
I usually don't see the Oscar movies until they come out on DVD and I can watch them in my underwear. Because of all the hype and all the awards it's won, I'm anxious to give Slumdog Millionaire a gander.
Anne, I forgot to mention this. The scene you described with Rosalind Russell was recreated in a movie starring Stephen Boyd and singer Tony Bennett as his best friend. Not sure of the title, but it might have been "The Oscar." But you probably knew this already, right?
No, Earl, I didn't realize that. I will have to rent that film and re-watch for that scene. Thanks for the info! I always love hearing about things like that.
Anne
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