Thank the Academy

In this episode we discuss the thirty-fifth Best Picture winner, Lawrence of Arabia, the infamous Hollywood feud between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis, Joan Crawford’s acceptance of the Best Actress Oscar, the last minute casting of relatively unknown actor Peter O’Toole, the impressive galloping and acting done by the caravan of camels in the film, and the true life story of the real Lawrence in...

In this episode we discuss The Mark from 1961, the importance of art and storytelling in tackling controversial subjects, Stuart Whitman’s only Best Actor nomination, Rita Moreno’s rise to power from child actress to E.G.O.T. winner and producer of the successful reboot of West Side Story, her ability to turn personal pain into inspiration, and her passion for mentoring other women in the entertai...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-fourth Best Picture winner, West Side Story, Bob Hope’s fan-made honorary award, the original Broadway production of West Side Story, Natalie Wood’s contentious relationship with the production, and the co-directorship between Robert Wise and Jerome Robbins that led to the most Academy Award wins for a single musical in history! -- Instagram: https://www.insta...

In this episode we discuss Alfred Hitchcock’s Psycho, the beginning of the crime and true crime craze in American storytelling culture, the famous shower murder scene featuring Janet Leigh, Elizabeth Taylor’s career from child actor to Hollywood superstar, her many marriages and divorces, and how she turned her massive influence to help combat the A.I.D.S. epidemic in the ‘80s and ‘90s. **Content...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-third Best Picture winner, The Apartment, Billy Wilder’s second film to win Best Picture, the end of the Juvenile Academy Award and final recipient, Hayley Mills, and the changes in American culture and the Motion Picture Production Code that made success for this film possible. **Content Warning** mentions of suicide, sexual assault, and workplace abuse in re...

In this episode we discuss Anatomy of a Murder, the book by Robert Traver and the original real life murder trial that inspired the story, director Otto Preminger’s code-challenging career, the importance of art to push the boundaries of society, and the important strides that this film and others made in promoting equality, diversity, and honesty in Hollywood films. **Content Warning** open discu...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-second Best Picture winner, Ben-Hur, its record breaking eleven wins, MGM’s changing identity in midst of two back-to-back Best Picture winners, the history of Ben-Hur adaptations, and the stories behind the famous chariot race, one of Hollywood’s most famous action sequences! --- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www...

In this episode we discuss Best Picture nominee The Defiant Ones, Sidney Poitier’s rise to Hollywood stardom, the first openly blacklisted writer to win an Academy Award, Walt Disney’s pre-Disney years, his record setting twenty-two Academy Award wins, and his complicated, but inspiring legacy. --- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankac...

In this episode we discuss the thirty-first Best Picture winner, Gigi, more changes to the Academy Award categories, the problematic story behind Gigi, and the end of an era for MGM Best Picture winning musicals. --- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us your thoughts: thanktheacademypod@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss Best Picture Nominee 12 Angry Men, Henry Fonda’s first and last attempt at producing, the American systems of justice, the history of Japanese Cinema, the revolutionary writing group known as the Narutaki-gumi, and their Golden Age of cinema during the 1950’s. --- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod...

In this episode we discuss the 30th Best Picture winner, The Bridge on the River Kwai, the changes to the Academy Awards in lieu of color photography growing in popularity, Carl Foreman’s continued career as a blacklisted writer, and the history of the Death Railway built by Prisoners of War during World War II. -- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.tw...

In this episode we discuss Cecil B. DeMille’s final epic film, The Ten Commandments and Academy Award nominated actor and Hollywood icon James Dean! We highlight John P. Fulton, creator of the effects for the parting of the Red Sea, Charlton Heston’s performance as Moses, James Dean’s tragic car accident, his love for being a student of the Actor’s Studio, and the role that sexuality played in his...

In this episode we discuss The Bells of St. Mary’s and Academy Award winning Santa Claus, Edmund Gwenn. We talk about The Bells of St. Mary’s place in history as one of the most successful sequels, Ingrid Bergman’s attempt at a more lighthearted role, Edmund Gwenn’s stirring turn as Kris Kringle, and the fun had on set during the making of The Miracle on 34th Street. Instagram: https://www.instagr...

In this episode we discuss the twenty-ninth Best Picture winner, Around the World in 80 Days, the wild career of producer Mike Todd that led him to this film, three of the hardest working and most talented Asian-American actors that didn’t receive the credit they deserved from the prejudiced Academy, and the changes coming for the Hollywood systems leading into the 1960’s. Instagram: https://www.i...

In this episode we discuss The Man with the Golden Arm, Frank Sinatra’s Best Actor snub, the Motion Picture Production Code’s weakening influence on Hollywood and art, Grace Kelly’s short, but meaningful career as an actress, and her marriage to the Prince of Monaco! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us your thoughts:...

In this episode we discuss the twenty-eighth Best Picture winner, Marty, first-time winners for their debut film screenwriter Paddy Chayevsky and director Delbert Mann, the benefits of concise and well-structured storytelling, and how a break from the big-budget blockbuster norm was the key to success for one of the biggest sleepers in Hollywood history! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thankt...

In this episode we discuss the Academy Award nominated film, A Star is Born, and eight time Academy Award winning costume designer Edith Head. We discuss how the second iteration of A Star is Born came to be, Judy Garland’s incredible performance, the many beautiful costumes Edith Head created, and the countless stars she dressed in her record breaking career. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/...

In this episode we discuss the twenty-seventh Best Picture winner, On the Waterfront, Judy Garland’s predicted win and subsequent loss, Marlon Brando’s continued rise among the Hollywood “elite,” and the controversy between Elia Kazan and Arthur Miller that lies behind the making of the “Best Picture” from 1954! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast  Twitter: https://www...

In this episode we discuss Best Picture nominee Roman Holiday, William Wyle’s and Paramount’s discovery of Audrey Hepburn, Dalton Trumbo’s career and effect on the industry, and how he was able to get Roman Holiday made despite the efforts of the House Un-American Activities Committee to keep him out of Hollywood! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twi...

In this episode we discuss the twenty-sixth Best Picture winner, From Here to Eternity, Shirley Booth’s antics while presenting the Best Actor award, Montgomery Clift’s heartbreak over losing to Wiliam Holden, and the Motion Picture Production Code’s failed attempts to keep Burt Lancaster’s steamy love scene out of the theaters! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter:...

In this episode we reach into the archives and talk about Nigh Noon, screenwriter Carl Forman dealing with the House Un-American Activities Committee, John Ford’s record fourth Best Director win, and his indelible mark on the film industry. Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us your thoughts: thanktheacademypod@gmail.c...

In this episode we discuss the twenty-fifth Best Picture winner, The Greatest Show on Earth, the American government’s growing fight against Communism and its detrimental effect on the film industry, and Cecil B. DeMille’s blockbuster partnership with the circus! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us your thoughts: tha...

In this episode we discuss the 24th Best Picture winner, An American in Paris, the MGM musical film department, Gene Kelly’s indelible effect on the film industry, and whether musicals should win Best Picture! **Content Warning** mentions of sexual harassment toward minors at time stamps 36:30-36:52 and 51:45-53:48 ** Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www...

In this episode we discuss the 23rd Best Picture winner, All About Eve, Bette Davis’ life and career, and the tales as old as time that are behind the origins of the most nominated film of all time! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us your thoughts: thanktheacademypod@gmail.com

In this episode we discuss the twenty-second Best Picture winner, All the King’s Men, Fred Astaire’s rise among the Hollywood elite, Senator Huey P. Long and the story behind the novel and film adaptation, and fancy editing techniques of Robert Parish to make this film a success! Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thanktheacademypodcast Twitter: https://www.twitter.com/thankacademypod Email us y...