62nd Academy Awards

The 62nd Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored the best films of 1989 and took place on March 26, 1990, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion 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 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 first time.[1] Three weeks earlier in a ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California on March 3, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by hosts Richard Dysart and Diane Ladd.[6]

62nd Academy Awards
Official poster
DateMarch 26, 1990
SiteDorothy Chandler Pavilion
Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Hosted byBilly Crystal[1]
Produced byGil Cates[2]
Directed byJeff Margolis[3]
Highlights
Best PictureDriving Miss Daisy
Most awardsDriving Miss Daisy (4)
Most nominationsDriving Miss Daisy (9)
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
Duration3 hours, 37 minutes[4]
Ratings40.24 million
27.82% (Nielsen ratings)[5]

Driving Miss Daisy won four awards including Best Picture and Best Actress for Jessica Tandy, the oldest person at the time to win a competitive acting Oscar.[7] Other winners included Glory with three awards, Born on the Fourth of July, The Little Mermaid, and My Left Foot with two, and The Abyss, Balance, Batman, Cinema Paradiso, Common Threads: Stories from the Quilt, Dead Poets Society, Henry V, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, The Johnstown Flood, and Work Experience with one. The telecast garnered more than 40 million viewers in the United States.

Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 62nd Academy Awards were announced on February 14, 1990 at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Karl Malden, president of the Academy, and the actress Geena Davis.[8] Driving Miss Daisy received the most nominations with nine total; Born on the Fourth of July came in second with eight.[9] Winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 26, 1990.[10] Driving Miss Daisy became the third film to win Best Picture without a Best Director nomination.[11] At age 80, Jessica Tandy became the oldest winner of competitive acting Oscar at the time.[12] Kenneth Branagh was the fifth person nominated for Best Lead Actor and Best Director for the same film.[13]

Awards
Richard D. Zanuck, Best Picture co-winner
Oliver Stone, Best Director winner
Daniel Day-Lewis, Best Actor winner
Jessica Tandy, Best Actress winner
Denzel Washington, Best Supporting Actor winner
Brenda Fricker, Best Supporting Actress winner
Alfred Uhry, Best Adapted Screenplay winner
Giuseppe Tornatore, Best Foreign Language film winner
Alan Menken, Best Original Score winner and Best Original Song co-winner
Ben Burtt, Best Sound Effects Editing co-winner
Dennis Muren, Best Visual Effects co-winner

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface and indicated with a double-dagger ().[14]

Academy Honorary Award

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

Films with multiple nominations and multiple awards


Presenters and performers

The following individuals presented awards or performed musical numbers.[17][18]

Presenters (in order of appearance)
Name(s)Role
Charlie O'DonnellAnnouncer for the 62nd annual Academy Awards
Karl Malden (AMPAS President)Gave opening remarks welcoming guests to the awards ceremony
Geena DavisPresenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor
Glenn Close
Mel Gibson		Presenters of the award for Best Art Direction
Arnold SchwarzeneggerIntroducer of presenter Kim Basinger
Kim BasingerPresenter of the film Dead Poets Society on the Best Picture segment
Julia RobertsIntroducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "I Love to See You Smile"
Steve MartinPresenter of the award for Best Original Score
Kenneth Branagh
Elizabeth McGovern		Presenters of award for Best Makeup
Jack Lemmon
Natalya Negoda		Presenters of the award for Best Foreign Language Film
Kevin KlinePresenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress
Beau Bridges
Jeff Bridges		Presenters of the film Field of Dreams on the Best Picture segment
John Candy
Rick Moranis		Presenters of the award for Best Live Action Short Film
Daryl HannahIntroducer of the performances of Best Original Song nominees "Kiss the Girl" and "Under the Sea"
Bugs BunnyPresenter of the award for Best Animated Short Film
Walter MatthauPresenter of the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award to Howard W. Koch
Jessica LangePresenter of the film Driving Miss Daisy on the Best Picture segment
Morgan Freeman
Jessica Tandy		Presenter of the award for Best Film Editing
John GoodmanIntroducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "The Girl Who Used to Be Me"
Tom SelleckIntroducer of Isabelle Huppert
Isabelle HuppertPresenter of the segment of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement and the Gordon E. Sawyer Award
Bryan Brown
Rachel Ward		Presenters of the awards for Best Sound and Best Sound Effects Editing
Melanie Griffith
Tom Hanks		Presenters of the award for Best Cinematography
Gregory PeckPresenter of the award for Best Actress
Candice BergenPresenter of the award for Best Costume Design
Dan Aykroyd
Chevy Chase		Presenters of the award for Best Visual Effects
Jack ValentiIntroducer of presenters George Lucas and Steven Spielberg
George Lucas
Steven Spielberg		Presenters of the Honorary Academy Award to Akira Kurosawa
Denzel WashingtonIntroducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "After All"
Paula Abdul
Dudley Moore		Presenters of the award for Best Original Song
Danny GloverPresenter of the film Born on the Fourth of July Best Picture segment
Norma Aleandro
Charlton Heston		Presenters of the awards for Best Documentary Short Subject and Best Documentary Feature
Jane FondaPresenter of the awards for Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen and Best Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium
Anjelica HustonPresenter of the film My Left Foot on the Best Picture segment
Robert De Niro
Martin Scorsese		Presenters of the award for Best Director
Jodie FosterPresenter of the award for Best Actor
Michelle PfeifferIntroducer of the performance of "Over the Rainbow"
Warren Beatty
Jack Nicholson		Presenters of the award for Best Picture

Performers (in order of appearance)
Name(s)RolePerformed
Bill ContiMusical ArrangerOrchestral
Billy CrystalPerformerOpening number:
My Left Foot (to the tune of "Me and My Shadow")
Field of Dreams (to the tune of "Tangerine" from The Fleet's In)
Dead Poets Society (to the tune of "Mutual Admiration Society" from Happy Hunting)
Driving Miss Daisy (to the tune of "Walkin' My Baby Back Home")
Born on the Fourth of July (to the tune of "Born in the U.S.A." by Bruce Springsteen)[19]
Randy NewmanPerformer"I Love to See You Smile" from Parenthood
Geoffrey HolderPerformer"Kiss the Girl" and "Under the Sea" from The Little Mermaid
Patti AustinPerformer"The Girl Who Used to Be Me" from Shirley Valentine
James Ingram
Melissa Manchester		Performers"After All" from Chances Are
Diana RossPerformer"Over the Rainbow" from The Wizard of Oz

Ceremony information
Billy Crystal hosted the 62nd Academy Awards.

After the negative reception received from the preceding year's ceremony, AMPAS created an Awards Presentation Review Committee to evaluate and determine why the telecast earned such a negative reaction from the media and the entertainment industry.[20][21] The committee later determined that Carr's biggest mistake was allowing the questionable opening number to run for 12 minutes. Producer and former Directors Guild of America president Gilbert Cates, who headed the committee, said that Carr would have not received such harsh criticism if the number had been much shorter.[21] Newly elected AMPAS president Karl Malden also commented on the last year's telecast, "Some of the people in the Academy felt the show got a little out of control."[2]

In September 1989, Cates was chosen as producer of the 1990 telecast.[22] Malden explained the decision to hire him saying, "Cates, a veteran film and TV director known for his tasteful work in both media will attempt to rectify the damage the last Oscar show did to the Academy's reputation."[2] The following January, actor and comedian Billy Crystal was chosen as host of the ceremony.[23] "We are extremely pleased to have Billy host the show," Cates said in a press release justifying his choice. "His unique talents and his ability to handle the unexpected will be important assets this year."[24]

Cates christened the show with the theme "Around the World in 3 1/2 Hours" commenting that it would "a party thrown around the world".[25] He also explained, "The world is changing, and hopefully the awards show is changing, matching the changes in the world."[2] In tandem with the program's theme, several presenters announced the winners from various international locales such as Buenos Aires, London, Moscow, and Sydney, Australia.[26]

Several other people participated in the production of the ceremony. Documentary filmmaker Chuck Workman assembled a montage saluting "100 Years at the Movies" that was shown at the beginning of the telecast.[27] Film composer and musician Bill Conti served as musical director for the ceremony.[28] Dancer and singer Paula Abdul supervised the Best Song nominee performances and a dance number featuring the Best Costume Design nominees.[29] Singer Diana Ross performed the Oscar-winning song Over the Rainbow in a tribute to the 50th anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.[30]

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 $244 million with an average of $48.9 million.[31] Dead Poets Society was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $95.8 million in the domestic box office receipts. The film was followed by Field of Dreams ($64.4 million), Born on the Fourth of July ($48.6 million), Driving Miss Daisy ($35.6 million) and My Left Foot ($2.1 million).[31]

Of the 50 grossing movies of the year, 43 nominations went to 14 films on the list. Only Parenthood (8th), Dead Poets Society (9th), When Harry Met Sally... (10th), Field of Dreams (17th), Born on the Fourth of July (25th), Driving Miss Daisy (36th) and Sex, Lies, and Videotape (45th) were nominated for Best Picture, acting, directing, or screenwriting. The other top 50 box office hits that earned nomination were Batman (1st), Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (2nd), Lethal Weapon 2 (3rd), Back to the Future II (6th), The Little Mermaid (12th), The Abyss (22nd), and Black Rain (27th).[32]

Critical reviews

The show received a mixed reception from media publications. Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Film critic Janet Maslin of The New York Times gave an average review of Crystal but lamented, "The effort to make this year's Academy Awards show an international media miracle led to nothing but headaches."[25] The Washington Post television critic Tom Shales bemoaned, "while Crystal's opening monologue seemed to hit the right notes, he hit fewer and fewer as the evening wore on; his interjected quips between awards were mostly uninspired." He also criticized the dance numbers and numerous "Around the World" cutaways calling it pointless.[33] Howard Rosenberg of the Los Angeles Times quipped that the broadcast was "a conventional telecast that was arguably an extension of an industry calcified by convention." He gave positive remarks toward Crystal but felt that "The Oscarcast was an old kid on the block."[34]

Other media outlets received the broadcast more positively. USA Today television critic Matt Roush lauded "To the glib and savvy Billy Crystal, who kept things as lively and funny as he could all night long. What a chore, too." He concluded that, "Hollywood no doubt went to bed happy (maybe early), because for a change Oscar didn't embarrass himself."[35] Mike Drew of the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel remarked, "While too "inside" and not as funny as Hollywood thinks he is, Crystal was an efficient host."[36] Film critic Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "It was encouraging that director Gilbert Cates took the opportunity to emphasize films instead of chorus girls." She also extolled Crystal's performance acknowledging that his "nimble opening number set a Johnny Carson comic tone."[37]

Ratings and reception

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 40.24 million people over its length, which was a 5% decrease from the previous year's ceremony.[38] An estimated 69.31 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.[39] The show also drew lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 27.82% of households watching over a 49.42 share.[40]

In July 1990, the ceremony presentation received five nominations at the 42nd Primetime Emmys.[41] Two months later, the ceremony won one of those nominations for Outstanding Art Direction for a Variety or Music or Programming (Roy Christopher and Greg Richman).[42]

See also

References
  1. "Billy Crystal to Host '90 Oscar Telecast". Los Angeles Times. December 30, 1989. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 768
  3. "62nd Annual Academy Awards". The New York Times. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  4. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 780
  5. Gorman, Bill (March 8, 2010). "Academy Awards Averages 41.3 Million Viewers; Most Since 2005". TV by the Numbers. Tribune Publishing. Archived from the original on March 10, 2010. Retrieved March 12, 2010.
  6. "Past Scientific & Technical Awards Ceremonies". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2013.
  7. Cieply, Michael (March 27, 1990). "'Driving Miss Daisy,' Tandy Win Top Oscars : Academy Awards: Day-Lewis is named best actor. Stone is best director for 'Fourth of July.'". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  8. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 764
  9. "'Miss Daisy' in the Driver's Seat : Movie Is Nominated for 9 Oscars". Los Angeles Times. February 15, 1990. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  10. "The Winners". Los Angeles Times. March 27, 1990. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  11. Hughes, Mark (February 23, 2013). "Ten Facts You Should Know About The Oscars". Forbes. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  12. Kehr, Dave (March 27, 1990). "'Miss Daisy,' Jessica Tandy Win Top Oscars". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on August 1, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  13. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 1163
  14. "The 62nd Academy Awards (1990) Nominees and Winners". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved October 17, 2011.
  15. Thomas, Kevin (March 26, 1990). "Akira Kurosawa Earns Oscar for Life's Work : Film: The legendary director of 'Ran' and 'Rashomon' will receive an honorary Oscar tonight for lifetime achievement". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  16. Snow, Shauna (December 12, 1989). "Kudos". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  17. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 770
  18. "Calendar Goes To the OSCARS : If You Watch, They Will Appear". Los Angeles Times. March 25, 1990. Archived from the original on March 8, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2013.
  19. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 772
  20. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 750
  21. Hofler, Robert (March 1, 2010). "Snow Job". Los Angeles. Archived from the original on October 5, 2013. Retrieved September 13, 2013.
  22. Ryan, Desmond (September 24, 1989). "New Producer Is Chosen To Plan The 1990 Oscar Presentation". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  23. "Billy Crystal to be Host of Oscar Ceremonies". The New York Times. January 2, 1990. Archived from the original on October 7, 2013. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  24. "Billy Crystal Will Host Oscar Ceremonies". Deseret News. January 1, 1990. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved January 22, 2014.
  25. Maslin, Janet (March 28, 1990). "New Host and New Technology, But a Familiar Oscar Show". The New York Times. Archived from the original on March 7, 2016. Retrieved March 17, 2010.
  26. Ryan, Desmond (March 11, 1990). "Moscow To Take Part In The Oscar Ceremony". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on October 22, 2013. Retrieved August 20, 2013.
  27. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 771
  28. "Composer Conti Will Conduct at 62nd Academy Awards". Deseret News. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved February 2, 2014.
  29. "Abdul to Choreograph Academy Awards". Middlesboro Daily News. January 11, 1990. Retrieved August 17, 2013.
  30. Wiley & Bona 1996, p. 777
  31. "1989 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on June 14, 2014. Retrieved June 17, 2014.
  32. "1989 Box Office Grosses (as of February 13, 1990)". Box Office Mojo. Archived from the original on July 10, 2014. Retrieved February 14, 2014.
  33. Shales, Tom. "On the Air: Billy Crystal And the Night That Wouldn't End". The Washington Post. p. C1.
  34. Rosenberg, Howard (March 27, 1990). "TV Review: Another Dose of Business as Usual". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved May 7, 2014.
  35. Roush, Matt (March 27, 1990). "Crystal sparkles on safe and stately show". USA Today. p. 4D.
  36. Drew, Mike (March 28, 1990). "Oscar show slow, but not bad". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. p. 4.
  37. Rickey, Carrie (March 28, 1990). "An Oscar Telecast with Taste". The Philadelphia Inquirer. Archived from the original on November 6, 2013. Retrieved June 1, 2014.
  38. 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.
  39. "Oscars Push ABC to Win Ratings Race". Los Angeles Times. April 3, 1990. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved June 6, 2014.
  40. "ABC gets an Oscar boost". USA Today. April 4, 1990. p. 3D.
  41. "Primetime Emmy Award database". Academy of Television Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved April 29, 2014.
  42. Lipton, Lauren. "'The Simpsons' Named Best Animated Series in Early Awards". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on July 11, 2014. Retrieved May 21, 2014.

Bibliography
  • 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
Official websites
Analysis
Other resources
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