67th Academy Awards

67th Academy Awards

Official poster
Date March 27, 1995
Site Shrine Auditorium
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Host David Letterman
Producer Gil Cates
Director Jeff Margolis
Highlights
Best Picture Forrest Gump
Most awards Forrest Gump (6)
Most nominations Forrest Gump (13)
TV in the United States
Network ABC
Duration 3 hours, 32 minutes[1]
Ratings 48.28 million
32.5% (Nielsen ratings)

The 67th Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) took place on March 27, 1995, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles beginning at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as the Oscars) in 23 categories honoring the films released in 1994. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates and directed by Jeff Margolis.[2] Comedian David Letterman hosted the show for the first time.[3] Three weeks earlier in a ceremony held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California on March 4, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Jamie Lee Curtis.[4]

Forrest Gump won six awards, including Best Picture.[5] Other winners included Ed Wood, The Lion King, and Speed with two awards, and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert, Blue Sky, Bob's Birthday, Bullets over Broadway, Burnt by the Sun, Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life, Legends of the Fall, The Madness of King George, Maya Lin: A Strong Clear Vision, Pulp Fiction, A Time for Justice, and Trevor with one. The telecast garnered more than 48 million viewers in the United States, making it the most watched Oscars telecast since the 55th Academy Awards in 1983.

Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 67th Academy Awards were announced on February 14, 1995, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Arthur Hiller, the president of the Academy, and actress Angela Bassett.[6] Forrest Gump earned the most nominations with thirteen. It was the most nominated film since 1966's Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? and the fifth film to earn that many nominations.[7] Bullets Over Broadway, The Shawshank Redemption, Pulp Fiction tied for second with seven each.[8]

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 27, 1995. For only the second time in Oscar history, three of the four acting winners were previous winners. The 11th ceremony held in 1939 previously accomplished this feat.[9] Best Actor winner Tom Hanks became the fifth performer to win consecutive acting Oscars and the second person to do so in the aforementioned category since Spencer Tracy won for his performances in Captains Courageous and Boys Town.[10][11] He also was the sixth person to win Best Actor twice.[12] Best Supporting Actress winner Dianne Wiest became the first person to win two acting Oscars for performances in films directed by the same person. She first won in that same category for her role in Woody Allen's 1986 film Hannah and Her Sisters.[13] Franz Kafka's It's a Wonderful Life and Trevor's joint win in the Best Live Action Short category marked the fifth occurrence of a tie in Oscar history.[14]

Awards

Robert Zemeckis at the 2015 Tokyo International Film Festival.
Robert Zemeckis, Best Director winner
Photo of Tom Hanks standing behind a podium at the Lincoln Memorial in 2009.
Tom Hanks, Best Actor winner
Photo of Jessica Lange at PaleyFest 2013.
Jessica Lange, Best Actress winner
Photo of Martin Landau in 2010.
Martin Landau, Best Supporting Actor winner
Photo of Dianne Wiest at the National Memorial Day Concert in 2009.
Dianne Wiest, Best Supporting Actress winner
Photo of Quentin Tarantino at the San Diego Comic Con International in 2015.
Quentin Tarantino, Best Original Screenplay co-winner
Photo of Nikita Mikhalkov in May 2013.
Nikita Mikhalkov, Best Foreign Language Film winner
Photo of Peter Capaldi at the 2009 Edinburgh Film Festival.
Peter Capaldi, Best Live Action Short winner
Photo of Hans Zimmer at The Dark Knight premiere in 2008.
Hans Zimmer, Best Original Score winner
Photo of Elton John attending the Tribeca FIlm Festival in 2011.
Elton John, Best Original Song co-winner
Black and white photo of Tim Rice in 1981.
Tim Rice, Best Original Song co-winner
Photo of Rick Baker at the 2011 Saturn Awards.
Rick Baker, Best Makeup co-winner

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double dagger (double-dagger).[15]

Academy Honorary Award

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award

Multiple nominations and awards

The following 17 films received multiple nominations:

Nominations Film
13 Forrest Gump
7 Bullets over Broadway
The Shawshank Redemption
Pulp Fiction
4 The Lion King
The Madness of King George
Quiz Show
3 Legends of the Fall
Little Women
Speed
Three Colors: Red
2 Clear and Present Danger
Ed Wood
Four Weddings and a Funeral
Interview with the Vampire
Nobody's Fool
Tom & Viv

The following four films received multiple awards:

Awards Film
6 Forrest Gump
2 Ed Wood
The Lion King
Speed

Presenters and performers

The following individuals, in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.[19]

Presenters

Name(s) Role
Thomas, RandiRandi Thomas Announcer for the 67th annual Academy Awards
Hiller, ArthurArthur Hiller (AMPAS President) Gave opening remarks welcoming guests to the awards ceremony
Jones, Tommy LeeTommy Lee Jones Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress
Stone, SharonSharon Stone Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design
Reeves, KeanuKeanu Reeves Presenter of the film Pulp Fiction on the Best Picture segment
Russo, ReneRene Russo Introducer of the performance of Best Song nominee "Make Up Your Mind"
Thurman, UmaUma Thurman Presenter of the award for Best Makeup
Parker, Sarah JessicaSarah Jessica Parker Presenter of the award for Best Sound Effects Editing
Martin, SteveSteve Martin Presenter of the award for Best Film Editing
Field, SallySally Field Presenter of the film Forrest Gump on the Best Picture segment
Paquin, AnnaAnna Paquin Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor
Dillon, MattMatt Dillon Introducer of the performance of Best Song nominee "Look What Love Has Done"
Winfrey, OprahOprah Winfrey Presenter of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Quincy Jones
Newman, PaulPaul Newman Presenter of the award for Best Cinematography
Curtis, Jamie LeeJamie Lee Curtis Presenter of the segment of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement and Gordon E. Sawyer Award
Allen, TimTim Allen Presenter of the award for Best Live Action Short Film
Bugs Bunny, Bugs Bunny
Daffy Duck 		Presenters of the award for Best Animated Short Film
Peck, GregoryGregory Peck Presenter of the film Quiz Show on the Best Picture segment
Robbins, TimTim Robbins
Susan Sarandon 		Presenters of the award for Best Art Direction
Seagal, StevenSteven Seagal Presenter of the award for Best Visual Effects
Bassett, AngelaAngela Bassett Introducer of the performance of the Best Song nominees "Circle of Life" and "Hakuna Matata"
Jackson, Samuel L.Samuel L. Jackson
John Travolta 		Presenters of the awards for Best Documentary Short Subject and Best Documentary Feature
Barkin, EllenEllen Barkin Presenter if the award for Best Sound
Nicholson, JackJack Nicholson Presenter of the Honorary Academy Award to Michelangelo Antonioni
Grant, HughHugh Grant
Andie MacDowell 		Presenters of the award for Best Original Score
Ormond, JuliaJulia Ormond Introducer of the performance of Best Song nominee "Can You Feel the Love Tonight"
Stallone, SylvesterSylvester Stallone Presenter of the award for Best Original Song
Irons, JeremyJeremy Irons Presenter of the award for Best Foreign Language Film
Bening, AnnetteAnnette Bening Presenter of the film Four Weddings and a Funeral on the Best Picture segment
Hopkins, AnthonyAnthony Hopkins Presenter of the awards for Best Original Screenplay and Best Adapted Screenplay
Weaver, SigourneySigourney Weaver Presenter of the In Memoriam tribute
Schwarzenegger, ArnoldArnold Schwarzenegger Presenter of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to Clint Eastwood
Hanks, TomTom Hanks Presenter of the award for Best Actress
Washington, DenzelDenzel Washington Presenter of the film The Shawshank Redemption on the Best Picture segment
Hunter, HollyHolly Hunter Presenter of the award for Best Actor
Spielberg, StevenSteven Spielberg Presenter of the award for Best Director
De Niro, RobertRobert De Niro
Al Pacino 		Presenters of the award for Best Picture

Performers

Name(s) Role Performed
Conti, BillBill Conti Musical arranger
Conductor 		Orchestral
Curry, TimTim Curry
Kathy Najimy
Mara Wilson 		Performers "Make 'Em Laugh" from Singin' in the Rain during the opening number
Newman, RandyRandy Newman Performer "Make Up Your Mind" from The Paper
Smyth, PattyPatty Smyth Performer "Look What Love Has Done" from Junior
Battle, HintonHinton Battle Performer "Circle of Life" from The Lion King
Grier, David AlanDavid Alan Grier
Ernie Sabella 		Performers "Hakuna Matata" from The Lion King
John, EltonElton John Performer "Can You Feel the Love Tonight" from The Lion King

Ceremony information

Portrait of a bespectacled man wearing a black coat over a white collared shirt and a black and silver striped tie.
David Letterman hosted the 67th Academy Awards

Despite earning critical praise for last year's ceremony, actress and comedian Whoopi Goldberg announced that she would not host the ceremony for a second consecutive year saying, "I've had a great time, but I've done it."[20] She added that her role in the upcoming movie Bogus would jeopardize her busy schedule.[21] In addition, her Comic Relief co-host and veteran Oscar emcee Billy Crystal also declined to host the show citing his commitment to his film Forget Paris which he directed, written, starred, and produced.[21] Producer Gil Cates hired actor, comedian, and Late Show host David Letterman as host of the 1995 ceremony.[22] Cates explained his decision to hire the late night talk show host saying, "He's punctual, he's well groomed, and he knows how to keep an audience awake."[23] ABC entertainment president Ted Harbert also approved of the choice stating, "If Dave likes the experience, this could be a great answer for the show, just the way Johnny Carson did the show for many years."[24]

As with previous ceremonies he produced, Cates centered the show around a theme. This year, he christened the show with the theme "Comedy and the Movies" commenting "This year, because of the earthquakes and floods and Bosnia and Rwanda, it was a (terrible) year, and therefore seemed a great year to celebrate what movies can really give us, which is an opportunity to go for two hours in the dark and laugh together. Even with television, it's not a community experience unless you have a very big family. So it's unique to movies and theater, and it's this very human thing."[23][25] In tandem with the theme, the ceremony's opening number featured a montage produced by Chuck Workman featuring scenes of humorous moments from a variety of both comedic and non-comedic films. During that segment, actors Tim Curry, Kathy Najimy, and Mara Wilson performing a modified version of the song "Make 'Em Laugh" from the film Singin' in the Rain.[26] Several collections of film clips were shown throughout the broadcast highlighting various aspects of comedy such as troupes and dialogue.[27]

Several other people were also involved with the production of the ceremony. Bill Conti served as musical director and conductor for the event.[28] Production designer Roy Christopher designed a new stage for the ceremony which prominently featured a proscenium which was designed to resemble the iris of a camera.[29] Moreover, Christopher commented that the iris motif was inspired by the iris shot prominently featured in several comedic films and shorts.[25] Dancer Debbie Allen choreographed The Lion King musical number.[30] Actors Alec Baldwin, Jack Lemmon, Steve Martin, and Rosie O'Donnell participated in a pre-taped comedic sketch lampooning auditions for a role in Cabin Boy, the film in which Letterman made his film acting debut.[31]

Box office performance of nominees

At the time of the nominations announcement on February 14, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees at the US box office was $468 million, with an average of $93.6 million per film.[32] Forrest Gump was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $300 million in domestic box office receipts. The film was followed by Pulp Fiction ($76 million), Four Weddings and a Funeral ($52 million), The Shawshank Redemption ($16 million), and Quiz Show ($21 million).[32]

Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 44 nominations went to 14 films on the list. Only Forrest Gump (2nd), The Client (12th), Pulp Fiction (14th), Four Weddings and a Funeral (20th), and Nell (41st) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting, or Best Picture. The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were The Lion King (1st), True Lies (3rd), Clear and Present Danger (6th), Speed (7th), The Mask (8th), Interview with the Vampire (10th), Maverick (11th), Legends of the Fall (27th), and Little Women (31st).[33]

Critical reception

The show received a negative reception from most media publications. John J. O'Connor of The New York Times wrote, "Instead of keeping things moving smartly, Mr. Letterman stuck with his late-night shtick, too often leaving the show's pacing in shambles." He also added, "Within the show's first half-hour, with no strong hand at the helm, the audience simply sagged. Applause died long before most winners even reached the podium."[34] Television critic John Carman of the San Francisco Chronicle commented, "Last night on ABC, no one got it. Hollywood's big event was wonderfully littered by technical errors, bad taste, low comedy and lower necklines." Moreover, he remarked, "Letterman, the rookie host, was off his game in his opening monologue. Maybe it was the big auditorium. Or a billion people in the television audience."[35] Film critic Andrew Sarris of The New York Observer quipped, "Not only was he not witty or funny, he never knew when to let bad enough alone." He concluded, "As the evening dragged on, it became obvious that Mr. Letterman had no gift for ad-libbing through the few unpredictable opportunities in a 'live' event like the Oscars."[36]

Some media outlets received the broadcast more positively. Television critic Joyce Millman of The San Francisco Examiner noted, "In his first stint as host of the Oscar telecast, David Letterman did the impossible - he made something entertaining from what is traditionally the most boring three hours of TV this side of a test pattern."[37] The Buffalo News columnist Alan Pergament praised Letterman's performance as host writing "David Letterman was a box full of chocolates on an Oscar night that was empty of much emotion until the expected Forrest Gump sweep in the final 15 minutes." He also added that despite a lack of surprises amongst the awards, the emotional and unexpected humorous moments provided depth and entertainment throughout the evening.[38] Hal Boedeker of the Orlando Sentinel gave an average review of the ceremony but singled out Letterman noting that he "proved Monday night that he's among Oscar's Top 10 Hosts. He's definitely at the top of the list with Johnny Carson, Billy Crystal and Bob Hope."[39]

Ratings and reception

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 48.28 million people over its length, which was a 7% increase from the previous year's ceremony.[40][41] An estimated 81 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.[42] The show also drew higher Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 32.5% of households watching over a 53 share.[41][43] In addition, it also drew a higher 18–49 demo rating with an 21.7 rating among viewers in that demographic.[43] It was the most watched Oscars telecast since the 55th ceremony held in 1983.[44]

In July 1995, the ceremony presentation received six nominations at the 47th Primetime Emmys.[45] Two months later, the ceremony won one of those nominations for Jeff Margolis's direction of the telecast.[46][47]

In Memoriam

The annual In Memoriam tribute, presented by actress Sigourney Weaver, honored the following people:[31]

See also

References

  1. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 987
  2. ↑ Pond 2005, p. 87
  3. ↑ Archerd, Army (January 12, 1995). "Letterman to skip bowling, host Oscars". Variety (Penske Media Corporation). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Past Scientific & Technical Awards Ceremonies". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  5. ↑ Grimes, William (March 28, 1995). "'Forrest Gump' Triumphs With 6 Academy Awards". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  6. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 963
  7. ↑ "Acad Sees The ‘Forrest’ For The Oscars". Variety (Penske Media Corporation). February 15, 1995. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  8. ↑ Boyar, Jay (February 15, 1995). "The Oscar Nominations". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  9. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 986
  10. ↑ Osborne 2013, p. 423
  11. ↑ Eller, Claudia (March 28, 1995). "It's a Sweet Evening for 'Gump' With 6 Awards : Movies: Film earns best director for Zemeckis and another best actor honor for Hanks. Lange also wins.". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  12. ↑ O'Neil, Tom (February 24, 2008). "Day-Lewis is 8th double Oscar lead actor". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved April 11, 2014.
  13. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 1181
  14. ↑ Warner, Denise (February 24, 2013). "Best Sound Editing Oscar tie is sixth in Academy Awards history". Entertainment Weekly (Time Warner). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  15. ↑ "The 67th Academy Awards (1995) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. AMPAS. Retrieved November 20, 2011.
  16. ↑ Snow, Shauna (January 21, 1995). "Morning Report". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Golden Globes, prelude to Oscars, given tonight Awards...". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company). January 19, 1995. Retrieved July 2, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Eastwood to be honored with Thalberg Award". San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco Newspaper Company LLC). January 19, 1995.
  19. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 972
  20. ↑ Broeske, Pat H. (December 23, 1994). "Leader of the Pack". Entertainment Weekly (Time Warner). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  21. 1 2 Dutka, Elaine (January 7, 1995). "No Crystal Ball at Oscars Again". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  22. ↑ Carter, Bill (January 13, 1995). "Letterman to Be Oscars Show Host". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  23. 1 2 Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 967
  24. ↑ Carroll, Jerry (March 26, 1995). "The Dave and Oscar Show: Will Letterman's acid humor take the mush out of the Academy Awards?". San Francisco Chronicle (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  25. 1 2 Willman, Chris (March 27, 1995). "Oscar Show Promises Lots of Funny Business : Awards: Comedy's the theme, from Letterman to Stupid Pet Tricks to film clips loaded with historic laughs. But will it come in under the time limit?". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 9, 2014.
  26. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 975
  27. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, pp. 978–984
  28. ↑ Pond 2005, p. 79
  29. ↑ Pond 2005, p. 967
  30. ↑ Pond 2005, p. 76
  31. 1 2 Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 982
  32. 1 2 "1994 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture". Box Office Mojo (Amazon.com). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  33. ↑ "1989 Box Office Grosses (as of February 13, 1995)". Box Office Mojo (Amazon.com). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  34. ↑ O'Connor, John J, (March 29, 1995). "Critic's Notebook: The Winner Isn't David Letterman". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.).
  35. ↑ Carman, John (March 28, 1995). "Telecast Was A Delicious Mess". San Francisco Chronicle (Hearst Corporation). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  36. ↑ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 991
  37. ↑ Millman, Joyce (March 28, 1995). "Late Show' star makes it fun". The San Francisco Examiner (San Francisco Newspaper Company LLC). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  38. ↑ Pergament, Alan (March 28, 1995). "Best Thing About TV Oscarcast was Letterman's Biting Humour". The Buffalo News (Berkshire Hathaway).
  39. ↑ Boedeker, Hal (March 28, 1995). "After Slow Start, Letterman Brings Oscars To Life". Orlando Sentinel (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  40. ↑ Gorman, Bill (February 17, 2009). "Academy Awards Show Ratings". TV by the Numbers (Tribune Company). Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  41. 1 2 Johnson, Greg (March 18, 1999). "Call It the Glamour Bowl". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  42. ↑ Rickey, Carey (March 29, 1995). "A Miscast Oscar Emcee? No Best-host Prize For Letterman". The Philadelphia Inquirer (Philadelphia Media Network). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  43. 1 2 "Academy Awards ratings" (PDF). Television Bureau of Advertising. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  44. ↑ Braxton, Greg (March 29, 1995). "One Day Later, Bouquets and Bricks for Dave : Letterman draws praise and criticism for his Oscar role, which helped show to its best rating in 12 years. But will the 'Late Show' star return next year?". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  45. ↑ "Primetime Emmy Award database". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (ATAS). Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  46. ↑ "Who Won What: The Winners on TV's Annual Weekend of Awards". Los Angeles Times (Tribune Company). September 11, 1995. Retrieved July 8, 2014.
  47. ↑ "1995 Emmy Award Winners". The New York Times (Arthur Ochs Sulzberger, Jr.). September 12, 1995. Retrieved December 29, 2014.

Bibliography

  • Osborne, Robert (2013). 85 Years of the Oscar: The Complete History of the Academy Awards. New York, United States: Abbeville Publishing Group. ISBN 0-7892-1142-4. 
  • Pond, Steve (2005). The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards. New York, United States: Faber and Faber. ISBN 0-571-21193-3. 
  • Wiley, Mason; Bona, Damien (1996). Inside Oscar: The Unofficial History of the Academy Awards (5 ed.). New York, United States: Ballantine Books. ISBN 0-345-40053-4. OCLC 779680732. 

External links

Official websites

Analysis

Other resources

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