Academy Award for Best Picture (1950s) facts for kids
The Academy Award for Best Picture is a really important prize given out every year. It's one of the top Academy Awards, which most people call the Oscars. These awards celebrate the best movies and the talented people who make them. The American Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) gives out these awards. Winning Best Picture means a movie was chosen as the very best film of that year!
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Best Picture Winners of the 1950s
Let's look at the amazing movies that won the Best Picture Oscar during the 1950s. Each year, many great films were nominated, but only one could take home the top prize.
1950: All About Eve
In 1950, the big winner was All About Eve. This movie was made by 20th Century-Fox and produced by Darryl F. Zanuck. It's a drama about a young actress who tries to take over the career of an older star.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Born Yesterday
- Father of the Bride
- King Solomon's Mines
- Sunset Boulevard
1951: An American in Paris
The Oscar for Best Picture in 1951 went to An American in Paris. This colorful musical was from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and produced by Arthur Freed. It's famous for its music and dance numbers.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Decision Before Dawn
- A Place in the Sun
- Quo Vadis
- A Streetcar Named Desire
1952: The Greatest Show on Earth
For 1952, the winner was The Greatest Show on Earth. This movie, produced by Cecil B. DeMille for Paramount, takes you behind the scenes of a big circus.
1953: From Here to Eternity
In 1953, the Best Picture Oscar went to From Here to Eternity. This Columbia Pictures film was produced by Buddy Adler. It's a powerful drama set during World War II.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Julius Caesar
- The Robe
- Roman Holiday
- Shane
1954: On the Waterfront
The winner for 1954 was On the Waterfront. This movie, from Horizon-American and Columbia, was produced by Sam Spiegel. It's a classic drama about crime and courage.
- Other nominated movies included:
- The Caine Mutiny
- The Country Girl
- Seven Brides for Seven Brothers
- Three Coins in the Fountain
1955: Marty
In 1955, a smaller, more personal film won Best Picture: Marty. Produced by Harold Hecht for Hecht-Lancaster and United Artists, it's a heartwarming story about a butcher looking for love.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Love Is a Many-Splendored Thing
- Mister Roberts
- Picnic
- The Rose Tattoo
1956: Around the World in Eighty Days
The Best Picture Oscar in 1956 went to Around the World in Eighty Days. This epic adventure, produced by Michael Todd for Todd and United Artists, takes viewers on a grand journey.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Friendly Persuasion
- Giant
- The King and I
- The Ten Commandments
1957: The Bridge on the River Kwai
For 1957, the winner was The Bridge on the River Kwai. This powerful war film, from Horizon and Columbia, was produced by Sam Spiegel. It's known for its dramatic story and famous whistle tune.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Peyton Place
- Sayonara
- 12 Angry Men
- Witness for the Prosecution
1958: Gigi
The Best Picture Oscar in 1958 was awarded to Gigi. This beautiful musical, from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was produced by Arthur Freed. It's set in Paris and tells a charming love story.
- Other nominated movies included:
- Auntie Mame
- Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
- The Defiant Ones
- Separate Tables
1959: Ben-Hur
To close out the decade, Ben-Hur won Best Picture in 1959. This massive historical epic, from Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, was produced by Sam Zimbalist. It's famous for its exciting chariot race!
- Other nominated movies included:
- Anatomy of a Murder
- The Diary of Anne Frank
- The Nun's Story
- Room at the Top
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