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64th Academy Awards

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64th Academy Awards
Official poster
DateMarch 30, 1992
SiteDorothy Chandler Pavilion
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Hosted byBilly Crystal[1]
Produced byGil Cates[2]
Directed byJeff Margolis[3]
Highlights
Best PictureThe Silence of the Lambs
Most awardsThe Silence of the Lambs (5)
Most nominationsBugsy (10)
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
Duration3 hours, 33 minutes[4]
Ratings44.44 million
29.84% (Nielsen ratings)[5]

The 64th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 1991 in the United States and took place on March 30, 1992, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles beginning at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 23 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates and directed by Jeff Margolis. Actor Billy Crystal hosted the show for the third consecutive year.[6] Three weeks earlier, in a ceremony held at the Century Plaza Hotel in Los Angeles on March 7, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Tom Hanks.[7]

The Silence of the Lambs won five awards, including Best Picture.[8][9] Other winners included Terminator 2: Judgment Day with four awards, Beauty and the Beast, Bugsy, and JFK with two, and City Slickers, Deadly Deception: General Electric, Nuclear Weapons and Our Environment, The Fisher King, In the Shadow of the Stars, Manipulation, Mediterraneo, Session Man, and Thelma & Louise with one. The telecast garnered more than 44 million viewers in the United States.

Winners and nominees

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The nominees for the 64th Academy Awards were announced on February 19, 1992, at 5:38 a.m. PST (13:38 UTC) at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Karl Malden, president of the Academy, and actress Kathleen Turner.[10] Bugsy led all nominees with ten nominations; JFK came in second with eight.[11]

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 30, 1992. The Silence of the Lambs became the first horror film to win Best Picture and the first film to be released on home video prior to winning that award.[12] Moreover, it was the third film to win the "Big Five" major categories for picture, directing, lead acting performances, and screenwriting. The other two films to achieve this feat were 1934's It Happened One Night and 1975's One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest.[13][14] Beauty and the Beast became the first animated film to be nominated for Best Picture. Toy Story 3 and Up are the only two other animated films ever nominated for Best Picture.[15] Boyz n the Hood's John Singleton became the first African-American to be nominated for Best Director and the youngest nominee in that category.[12] Nominated for Best Supporting Actress and Best Actress, respectively, Diane Ladd and Laura Dern became the first mother and daughter nominated in the same year.[12]

Awards

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Jonathan Demme, Best Director winner
Anthony Hopkins, Best Actor winner
Jodie Foster, Best Actress winner
Jack Palance, Best Supporting Actor winner
Mercedes Ruehl, Best Supporting Actress winner
Callie Khouri, Best Original Screenplay winner
Gabriele Salvatores, Best Foreign Language Film winner
Debra Chasnoff, Best Documentary Short Subject winner
Alan Menken, Best Original Score winner and Best Original Song co-winner
Robert Richardson, Best Cinematography winner
Albert Wolsky, Best Costume Design winner
Dennis Muren, Best Visual Effects co-winner

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface and indicated with double dagger (‡).[16]

Academy Honorary Award

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Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award

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Films with multiple nominations and awards

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Presenters and performers

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The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers:[19]

Presenters (in order of appearance)

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Name(s) Role
Les Marshak Announcer for the 64th annual Academy Awards
Karl Malden (AMPAS President) Giver of opening remarks welcoming guests to the awards ceremony
Whoopi Goldberg Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor
Kathleen Turner Presenter of the film Bugsy on the Best Picture segment
Rebecca De Mornay
Christopher Lloyd		 Presenters of the award for Best Makeup
Angela Lansbury Introducer of the performances of the Best Original Song nominees "Belle" and "Be Our Guest"
Joe Pesci Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress
Annette Bening Presenter of the award for Best Art Direction
Steven Spielberg Presenter of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to George Lucas
Nicole Kidman Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Everything I Do (I Do It For You)"
Antonio Banderas
Sharon Stone		 Presenters of the award for Best Sound Effects Editing
Denzel Washington Presenter of the film JFK on the Best Picture segment
Geena Davis
Susan Sarandon		 Presenters of the award for Best Film Editing
Dana Carvey
Mike Myers		 Presenters of the award for Best Live Action Short Film
Belle
Beast
Chip		 Presentations of the award for Best Animated Short Film
Demi Moore Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design
Sylvester Stallone Presenter of the award for Best Foreign Language Film
Daryl Hannah
Edward James Olmos		 Presenters of the award for Best Sound
John Candy Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "When You're Alone"
Tom Hanks Presenter of the segment of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award
Spike Lee
John Singleton		 Presenters of the awards for Best Documentary Short Subject and Best Documentary Feature
Sally Field Presenter of the film Beauty and the Beast on the Best Picture segment
Richard Gere Presenter of the award for Best Cinematography
Laura Dern
Diane Ladd		 Presenters of the award for Best Visual Effects
Patrick Swayze Introducer of the special dance number to the tune of the Best Original Score nominees and presenter of the award for Best Original Score
Jack Valenti Introducer of presenter of Audrey Hepburn
Audrey Hepburn Presenter of the Honorary Academy Award to Satyajit Ray
John Lithgow Presenter of the film The Silence of the Lambs on the Best Picture segment
Robert Duvall
Anjelica Huston		 Presenters of the awards for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published
Kathy Bates Presenter of the award for Best Actor
Shirley MacLaine
Liza Minnelli		 Presenters of the award for Best Original Song
Michael Douglas Presenter of the award for Best Actress
Jessica Tandy Presenter of the film The Prince of Tides on the Best Picture segment
Kevin Costner Presenter of the award for Best Director
Paul Newman
Elizabeth Taylor		 Presenters of the award for Best Picture

Performers (in order of appearance)

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Name(s) Role Performed
Bill Conti Musical arranger Orchestral
Billy Crystal Performer Opening number:
Beauty and the Beast (to the tune of the theme song from The Patty Duke Show),
The Silence of the Lambs (to the tune of "The Shadow of Your Smile" from The Sandpiper),
Bugsy (to the tune of "Toot Toot Tootsie Goo' Bye" from The Jazz Singer),
JFK (to the tune of "Three Coins in the Fountain" from Three Coins in the Fountain), and
The Prince of Tides (to the tune of "Don't Rain on My Parade" from Funny Girl)[20]
Paige O'Hara
Richard White		 Performers "Belle" from Beauty and the Beast
Jerry Orbach Performer "Be Our Guest" from Beauty and the Beast
Bryan Adams Performer "(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" from Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves
Amber Scott Performer "When You're Alone" from Hook
Peabo Bryson
Celine Dion
Angela Lansbury		 Performers "Beauty and the Beast" from Beauty and the Beast

Ceremony information

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Photo of Billy Crystal in 2012.
Billy Crystal hosted the 64th Academy Awards.

Riding on the success of 63rd Academy Awards which won several Emmys, AMPAS rehired Gil Cates for the third consecutive year.[21][22] He christened the 1992 ceremony with the theme "Pure Joy of the Movies," explaining that "Motion pictures provide us with laughter, romance, adventure and a deeper understanding of ourselves. With all the extraordinary events that are taking place today, it's wonderful that we can still get away to see a film."[23][24]

A month before the festivities, Cates recruited actor and comedian Billy Crystal to host the ceremony for the third straight year.[25] According to Variety columnist Army Archerd, Crystal planned to perform a bungee jump stunt as part of his entrance at the beginning of the ceremony. However, the act was scrapped due to high insurance costs for the AMPAS and Crystal coming down with the flu.[26] Instead, Crystal, who was wearing Hannibal Lecter's mask from The Silence of the Lambs, was hauled onto the stage by two men.[27]

Several other people were involved in the production of the ceremony. Choreographer Debbie Allen supervised the Best Song nominee performances and the Best Original Score dance number.[28] Film composer and musician Bill Conti served as musical director of the ceremony.[29] In tandem with the theme of the ceremony, Chuck Workman produced a montage highlighting famous movie scenes from past and present.[20]

Box office performance of nominees

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At the time of the nominations announcement on February 19, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees at the US box office was $393 million with an average of $78.7 million per film.[30] The Silence of the Lambs was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees, with $130.7 million in domestic box office receipts.[30] The film was followed by Beauty and the Beast ($106.6 million), The Prince of Tides ($59.3 million), JFK ($58.1 million), and finally Bugsy ($38.9 million).[30]

Of the 50 top-grossing movies of the year, 72 nominations went to 15 of them. Only Silence of the Lambs (3rd), Beauty and the Beast (6th), Cape Fear (10th), The Prince of Tides (18th), JFK (21st), Boyz n the Hood (22nd), Thelma and Louise (27th), The Fisher King (30th), and Bugsy (32nd) were nominated for Best Picture, directing, acting, or screenwriting. The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1st), Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (2nd), Hook (5th), The Addams Family (7th), Backdraft (12th), and Star Trek VI: the Undiscovery Country (13th).[31]

LGBT in film protest

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Several days before the ceremony, LGBT activist groups such as Queer Nation and Out in Film announced plans to stage a protest outside the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.[32] The organizations were voicing their complaints regarding derogatory and unflattering portrayals of homosexuals in film such as The Silence of the Lambs, JFK, and the upcoming film Basic Instinct.[33][34] Queer Nation spokesman Rick Wilson said that the demonstrators "would stop cars from getting to the Oscars. It'll be a stall-in". Wilson also announced plans to disrupt the proceedings inside the theater.[35] In response, producer Gil Cates stated, "Anyone can protest about anything they want outside the show." But he said that the standard, "generic response" to something happening during the ceremony on camera, "would be to cut to a commercial."[35] Moreover, Academy spokesman Bob Werden reiterated that while security plans would not be as stringent as the previous year, firemen and police officers would be on hand in case of fallout from the protests.[33]

On the day of the telecast, several protesters carried various signs that contained statements such as "Stop Hollywood's Homophobia" and "Hollywood Stop Censoring Our True Queer Lives."[36] One man who had purchased tickets to the ceremony yelled statistics regarding AIDS in protest as John Candy was introducing a Best Song performance.[37] Without making any arrests or having his comments heard during the broadcast, security immediately escorted the protester out.[36]

Critical reviews

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The show received a positive reception from most media publications. The New York Times film critic Janet Maslin raved that the telecast was "uncharacteristically lively". She also praised host Crystal, saying that his opening monologue "set the evening's clever and iconoclastic tone."[38] Columnist Scott Williams of the Associated Press wrote that "Crystal was charming from the moment he was wheeled onstage and strolled into the audience wearing the face mask of the demonic Hannibal 'The Cannibal' Lecter from The Silence of the Lambs, which was named best picture."[39] Ray Richmond from the Orange County Register commented that Crystal "is such a magnificent Oscar host that the job should be his as long as he wants it."[40]

Ratings and reception

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The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 44.44 million people over its length, which was a 5% increase from the previous year's ceremony.[41] The show also drew higher Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony, with 29.84% of households watching over a 50.26 share.[42] In addition, it also drew a higher 18–49 demo rating with a 20.71 rating over a 39.51 share among viewers in that demographic.[42]

In July 1992, the ceremony presentation received nine nominations at the 44th Primetime Emmys.[43] The following month, the ceremony won three of those nominations for Outstanding Writing for a Variety Program (Hal Kanter, Buz Kohan, Billy Crystal, Marc Shaiman, David Steinberg, Robert Wuhl, Bruce Vilanch), Outstanding Music Direction (Bill Conti, Jack Eskew, Julie Giroux, Ashley Irwin, and Hummie Mann), and Outstanding Costume Design for a Variety or Music Program (Raymond Aghayan).[44]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ Kleid, Beth (February 8, 1992). "Billy Crystal Will Host Oscar Telecast for Third Year". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  2. ^ "Oscar veteran to direct awards show". Sun Journal. October 21, 1991. p. 18. Archived from the original on February 24, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  3. ^ Kleid, Beth (October 21, 1991). "Morning Report: Television". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  4. ^ Meyers, Kate (April 10, 1992). "We Need to Know This?". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  5. ^ Gorman, Bill (February 24, 2012). "With No Blockbusters Up For Best Picture, Expect 'Academy Awards' Viewership To Fall; Ratings History + Your Guess For This Year (Poll)". TV by the Numbers. Archived from the original on December 10, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  6. ^ "Billy Crystal: Academy glad to have him back". Star-News. February 8, 1992. p. 2A. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  7. ^ "Past Scientific & Technical Awards Ceremonies". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  8. ^ Hall, Carla (March 31, 1992). "The Triumph of the Lambs". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on June 13, 2019. Retrieved February 4, 2020.
  9. ^ Pristin, Terry (March 31, 1992). "'Silence of the Lambs' Sweeps 5 Major Oscars : Movies: Thriller is only the third film to take all key categories. Palance, Ruehl win for supporting roles". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 27, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  10. ^ O' Malley, Kathy (February 18, 1992). "Here they come Word around New Hampshire is that the..." Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on October 4, 2013. Retrieved August 25, 2013.
  11. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (February 20, 1992). "'Bugsy' a Big Winner In Oscar Nominations Rife With Surprise". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  12. ^ a b c Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 1170
  13. ^ Hartl, John (March 31, 1992). "'Silence' Makes Big Noise At Oscars -- In An Evening Of Firsts, Horror Film Walks Off With All Five Top Honors At Academy Awards". The Seattle Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  14. ^ Weinraub, Bernard (April 1, 1992). "Media Business; Can Ninja Turtle Owner Rescue Orion Pictures?". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 29, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  15. ^ Reardon, Patrick T. (March 25, 1992). "Gaston A Figment Of '90s Animation". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  16. ^ "The 64th Academy Awards (1992) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 22, 2011.
  17. ^ Gargan, Edward A. (February 16, 1992). "Film: Satyajit Ray Honored, Without Profit in His Land". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  18. ^ "Academy to Give Thalberg Award to George Lucas". Los Angeles Times. February 2, 1992. Archived from the original on October 6, 2013. Retrieved August 21, 2013.
  19. ^ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 838
  20. ^ a b Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 840
  21. ^ "'Cheers' Draws Cheers, 4 Emmys". Deseret News. August 26, 1991. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  22. ^ Landis, Dave (October 10, 1991). "More Misha". USA Today. p. 1D.
  23. ^ "Academy Report, Volume 4 Number 2" (PDF). Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. June 1992. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  24. ^ McKerrow, Steve (March 30, 1992). "Academy Awards Show Sign Of The Times". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on October 15, 2013. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  25. ^ "Crystal back in the saddle as Oscar awards host". The Gainesville Sun. February 9, 1992. Archived from the original on February 25, 2021. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  26. ^ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 836
  27. ^ Alexander, Bryan (February 22, 2012). "Billy Crystal's golden moments as Oscars host". USA Today. Archived from the original on February 25, 2015. Retrieved September 9, 2013.
  28. ^ Dunning, Jennifer (March 29, 1992). "Television: Debbie Allen Chips Away At the Glass Ceiling". The New York Times. Archived from the original on June 10, 2015. Retrieved September 10, 2013.
  29. ^ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 845
  30. ^ a b c "1991 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  31. ^ "1991 Box Office Grosses (as of February 19, 1992)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on August 17, 2016. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  32. ^ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 834
  33. ^ a b Wells, Jeffrey (March 27, 1992). "Up the Academy". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on October 3, 2013. Retrieved September 12, 2013.
  34. ^ Weir, John (March 29, 1992). "Film: Gay-Bashing, Villainy and the Oscars". The New York Times. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  35. ^ a b Fox, David J. (March 16, 1992). "What Impact on Oscar for Gay Protest?: Movies: Activists may stage disturbances at Academy Awards over demands for positive portrayals". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on February 21, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2013.
  36. ^ a b Levy 2003, p. 354
  37. ^ Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 843
  38. ^ Maslin, Janet (April 1, 1992). "Review/Television; A Very Different Oscars Broadcast". The New York Times. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  39. ^ Williams, Scott (March 31, 1991). "Cue the Shuttle: It's the 64th Annual Academy Awards With AM-Oscars, Bjt". Associated Press News. Archived from the original on September 21, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  40. ^ Richmond, Ray (March 31, 1991). "It's Crystal clear that comedian gilds the Oscars". Orange County Register. Freedom Communications. p. F2.
  41. ^ Johnson, Greg (March 18, 1999). "Call It the Glamour Bowl". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on September 28, 2013. Retrieved August 26, 2013.
  42. ^ a b "Academy Awards ratings" (PDF). Television Bureau of Advertising. Archived from the original (PDF) on May 15, 2013. Retrieved June 27, 2013.
  43. ^ "Primetime Emmy Award database". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on December 3, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.
  44. ^ "1992 Emmy Winners". The New York Times. September 1, 1992. Archived from the original on October 2, 2013. Retrieved September 5, 2013.

Bibliography

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Official websites
Analysis
Other resources
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