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1st Academy Awards facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts


The 1st Academy Awards ceremony was presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS). It was to honor the best movies of 1927 and 1928. It took place on May 16, 1929 in Los Angeles, California. AMPAS president Douglas Fairbanks hosted the show.

Tickets cost five dollars, 270 people attended the event and the ceremony lasted fifteen minutes. Awards were made by Louis B. Mayer. It is the only Academy Awards ceremony not to be broadcast either on radio or television.

During the ceremony, the AMPAS gave Academy Awards (now commonly called Oscars) in twelve categories. Winners were announced three months before the live event. Some nominations were announced without reference to a specific movie. Examples were Ralph Hammeras and Nugent Slaughter, who received nominations in the now defunct category of Engineering Effects. Unlike later ceremonies, an actor or director could be awarded for multiple works in a year. Emil Jannings, for example, was given the Best Actor award for his work in both The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command. Moreover, Charlie Chaplin and Warner Brothers each received an Honorary Award.

Nominees and winners

Winners are listed first.

Nominees and winners of the 1st Academy Awards
Outstanding Picture, Production Unique and Artistic Production
Best Director, Comedy Picture Best Director, Dramatic Picture
Best Actor in a Leading Role Best Actress in a Leading Role
  • Janet GaynorSeventh Heaven, Street Angel and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
    • Louise Dresser – A Ship Comes In
    • Gloria SwansonSadie Thompson
Best Writing, Original Story Best Writing, Adapted Story
  • UnderworldBen Hecht
    • The Last Command – Lajos Bíró
Best Cinematography Best Art Direction
  • Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – Charles Rosher and Karl Struss
    • The Devil Dancer – George Barnes
    • The Magic Flame – George Barnes
    • Sadie Thompson – George Barnes
  • The Dove and TempestWilliam Cameron Menzies
    • Seventh Heaven – Harry Oliver
    • Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans – Rochus Gliese
Best Engineering Effects Best Writing, Title Writing
  • Wings – Roy Pomeroy
    • (No specific film) – Ralph Hammeras
    • (No specific film) – Nugent Slaughter
  • (No specific film) – Joseph Farnham
    • (No specific film) – George Marion, Jr.
    • The Private Life of Helen of Troy – Gerald Duffy

Honorary Award

Multiple nominations and winners

The following movies received multiple nominations.

  • Five: Seventh Heaven
  • Four: Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
  • Two: The Crowd, Sadie Thompson and Wings

The following movies received multiple awards.

  • Three: Seventh Heaven and Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans
  • Two: Wings

Images for kids

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: 1.ª edición de los Premios Óscar para niños

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