The Birth of the AcademyToday, on the occasion of the Oscar ceremony, dive into the intriguing facts about cinema’s most famous award—why does a 401.03 Dollar statue fetch just Rs 1$if sold?
In 1927, MGM’s handmaid proposed a group with actor-director friends, forming the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences. Douglas Fairbanks became its first president.
On May 16, 1929, the first Oscar ceremony took place at the Roosevelt Hotel. A $5 membership fee was required to join the exclusive event.
Designed by sculptor George Maitland and crafted by MGM’s Cedric Gibbons, the 13.5-inch, 4-kg bronze statue features a 24-carat gold layer, costing Rs 35,000 to make.
Slide 7: A Loophole in HistoryAcademy rules since 1951 forbid selling Oscars. Winners must sign an agreement and can only return it for $1 a quirky regulation!
Before the rule, 15 Oscars were auctioned in 2012 for over $3 million, proving the trophy’s value far exceeds its 1$return price.
Three theories: a librarian’s Uncle Oscar, Bette Davis’ husband Harmon Oscar Nelson, or a 1934 column by Sidney Skolsky. The true origin remains a puzzle!
Slide 11: The Award’s True NameThe ceremony paused thrice: 1938 (LA floods), 1968 (Martin Luther King Jr.’s funeral), and 1981 (Reagan assassination attempt). Resilience shines through
Officially called the Academy Award of Merit, "Oscar" is just a beloved nickname for this prestigious honor in cinema.
From its humble beginnings to global fame, the Oscar remains a symbol of excellence—priceless in prestige, yet bound by a $1 rule!