Oscar Sunday: Remembering John Wayne, Bette Davis, David Niven
Henry Fonda finally won an Oscar when he acted with Katharine Hepburn in "On Golden Pond." Handout art
Year after year, the Academy Awards may be among the most ridiculed programs. Yet the telecast’s allure ultimately rests in the emotional moments.
If you have a bond with the performers, you can slog through the hours, the silliness and the bombast. My favorite moments happen when a veteran performer finally collects the big prize. I rooted for John Wayne, Henry Fonda, Shirley MacLaine, Susan Sarandon and Jeff Bridges.
The honorary Oscars — which no longer air in the main show — were incredibly poignant when Barbara Stanwyck, Kirk Douglas and Deborah Kerr were recognized.
Any good Oscar show needs memorable moments. It can be John Wayne standing tall as he makes his final appearance. Or David Niven quipping after a streaker races by. Or Bette Davis messing up the presentation of a best actor Oscar. Davis was old and feeble in that appearance, yet she was still wonderfully cantankerous. And she didn’t hide the ravages of illness.
Good acceptance speeches are a must. The best? Best actress winner Louise Fletcher communicating through sign language. What’s your choice?
I think this year’s Oscar telecast could mean more than usual because viewers have bonds with the actors — often thanks to television. Colin Firth won legions of admirers for the miniseries “Pride & Prejudice.” James Franco enjoyed career boosts through “Freaks and Geeks” and the TV movie “James Dean.” Melissa Leo logged four years on “Homicide: Life on the Street.”
Longevity matters even if you’re young. Christian Bale and Natalie Portman dazzled as child actors.
This year’s nominees don’t have the kind of connection that John Wayne and Henry Fonda had with an audience. The movie business has changed, and studios don’t groom stars the way they used to.
But the connections still matter, because they offer a reason to care. The hoopla, the predictions and the fashions fade, but the emotional moments still pack a punch.
What are your favorite Oscar moments?
The Academy Awards start at 8:30 tonight on ABC (WFTV-Channel 9 locally).