"I'd like to thank the Academy..."
Monday, June 17, 2013 at 3:14PM ...for uploading this video of the 1994 costume Academy Award presentation when I asked them to. Here's how it began...
I had found myself in one of those YouTube wormholes of watching Oscar clips at 3am. I am sure we've all been there. I've watched them all so many times that I honestly don't know why I keep going back - especially since rights issues force The Academy's YouTube channel to delete the acting nominee clips (boo! hiss!) Alas, like a masochist I just keep going back. Don't we all?
Nevertheless, I am always frustrated at the selection of videos that The Academy choose to upload. I always want to watch costume designers, art directors, special effects artists, and so on. I like hearing the applause for left-of-centre selections. I think it's fun to see how the writers and presenters represented these categories and people. So, in a joking fashion I tweeted The Academy stating that, gosh, I really just want to see the 1994 costume design category.
"Ask and you shall receive", so they say. And quickly, too. Well, who can say no to The Academy uploading a video just because you ask? This is inarguably one of my favourite Oscar moments and I was so sad when the original video got taken down years ago, but now it's here again for us to watch and marvel whenever we feel like. Watching it now and I still grin from ear to ear when Sharon Stone (a rare Oscar presenter who surely doesn't feel like the telecast's dodgy writing is beneath her) announces a low-budget Australian movie about drag queens as the winner of an Academy Award. When winner Lizzy Gardiner gets on the stage in a dress made of American Express credit cards. When lovably weird Lizzy shoves her co-winner aside: "Shut up, it's my turn!" When they joke about going to "cry with some dignity" and "get a drink." Who can deny it was an amazing moment and now it's there to watch again and again.
"And the Oscar... goes to... And the Oscar goes to Lizzy Gardiner and Tim Chappel for The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert." - Sharon Stone.
The video has already been viewed some 1300 times in just a matter of days, so there are clearly plenty of people out there that want this stuff. Are they all Film Experience readers?If you could ask The Academy to upload one category from what year, which would it be? Maybe they'll read this and upload it for you! And don't forget to watch the Priscilla video over and over again. Maybe then we'll get more like it.
Reader Comments (18)
Well done Glenn! I'm one of those viewers, but I'll watch it again in your honor.
Absolutely one of my favorite Oscar moments of all time - such a surprising and deserving win!
What's shocking about this not being posted is that it's also one of the most iconic Oscar moments in history - who alive in 1994 doesn't remember the gold AMEX dress?!? You'd think the Academy would be aware of things like that and would want to preserve those iconic moments of past ceremonies.
God I love Sharon Stone!!! Give this woman a meaty role ASAP :)
So glad others are a fan of this moment. It's so so great.
i think it's worth noting that though Lizzy hasn't been in the media much and doesn't work much in film, she did costume THE RAILWAY MAN so maybe she'll be talked up again? (thought that doesn't look particularly flashy it is a period piece so you never know)
Thanks for reminding me of the AMEX dress. Such a great. dazzling
Oscar moment...
Lovely-I'd never seen that. I wish they'd have a box set where you could buy all of the AMPAS ceremonies (with all relavent clips).
I've been dying to resee the scene from the 1996 Oscars with Debbie Reynolds and Carrie Fisher bantering, but cannot find it anywhere (anyone who has a link is my new best friend and I will thank you if I ever win an Oscar).
I remember back in the day I messaged the Oscar YT channel and asked them to upload a few (which they did ... why not just upload them all!). I know I asked for Jennifer Hudson (why???) and I think Whoopi Goldberg as well and they were uploaded. I also asked why the acting clips were taken out and that's when I learned of the copyright issues or whatever it is.
I hate that we can't see the acting clips, that's like the best part. The worst ones are the videos like when Halle Berry or Adrien Brody win and we don't even get the nominees announced, just goes straight to the announcement of the winner. I usually search google videos to see if I can find them with acting clips in them but a lot have been taken down that I remember seeing.
you can take the boy out of australia...
:-)
This reminds me that Terrence Stamp was robbed that year of a nom. What a great performance.
John T, go to their Twitter feed and ask them!
I'm not sure why they don't upload more. They disable embedding so it's not like there's that to worry about. Are they like Disney and protecting the honour of their brand and sealing so much of them in vaults?
I want them all. I'd love to see all the ALL THAT JAZZ winners from 1979 for instance.
John T -- so agree on box set. you know TONS of people would buy it. They could make so much money selling them by decade box sets, you know?
I've always wanted to see Jane Campion's screenplay win for the Piano.. don't know why, just do :)
I would definitely buy the 80s box. Those years had those silly/adorable runways and the best musical numbers.
It's curious that Sharon Stone -one of the best dressed actresses at the Oscars- wore her worst gown to present best costume design.
A few years ago I asked them to upload Alan Ball's win for American Beauty and they told me they were going to, but I don't remember seeing the clip uploaded.
Also, I don't understand the copyright thing. I mean, I'm sure it's more complicated than this, but wouldn't an otherwise forgotten movie benefit from having one of its most powerful acting scenes being shown on a popular YouTube video?
I remember when Pierce Brosnan, Claudia Schiffer and Naomi Campbell presented costume design and it was a runway show of the nominated films. I thought that was such a clever idea, I'd like to see that again.
That's awesome that they just uploaded that for you with no snark or drama. I would have thought they wouldn't take requests like this, b/c once you do that, the floodgates start opening up. That was a good one. And Sharon Stone was a great presenter in that clip. This was from the infamous Letterman year I see. That AmEx joke surprisingly worked, though nothing would ever mask his awkardness that night. "Oprah, Uma. Uma, Oprah." "shudders"
Tim Chappel responded to this clip being posted on YouTube. That was nice to see. Can't believe this happened almost 20 years ago, and I remember it like it was yesterday. :)