Showbiz History: Ghost in the Shell, Brian Tyree Henry, and the 1980 Oscars

6 random things that happened on this day, March 31st, in showbiz history

1930  The Motion Picture Producers and Distributors of America agree to accept the "Motion Picture Production Code" a self-censorship guide for Hollywood films. Still, the industry waited another four years to begin enforcing this code which is why early sound cinema is referred to as "Pre-Code" (even though the Code was actually in place already). It's agonizing to look back and wonder how progressive Hollywood might have become had they not begun to enforce the code in the mid 30s since it delayed mature conversations about sexuality and gender roles and marriage (separate beds!), psychology and reality (bad behavior must always be punished!), delayed reckoning with abusive or oppressive religious organizations (no critiques of the clergy!), and forbade sympathetic depictions of homosexuality and interracial romance...

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Showbiz History: Warren Beatty's habitual Oscar fate, 1954's lame Best Picture lineup, and more...

4 random things that happened on this day, March 30th, in showbiz history

1946 The 3rd annual Golden Globes were held on this day honoring The Lost Weekend, 75 years ago. It was AFTER the Oscars. How bizarre right? But the Globes were more like the NBR at the start announcing winners (no nominees) in advance of a banquet.  

1955 The 27th Academy Awards are held honoring the best of 1954 On the Waterfront leads the nominations and wins an incredible 8 Oscars.  Though the Academy nominates all the wrong movies as its competition so it had an easy time of it. The Best Picture lineup went like so...

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March 29th is the biggest Oscar night, sort of...

Today in Oscar History. Five Oscar ceremonies were held on this date, the most of any night on the calendar (albeit tied with March 25th) so if today is your birthday, congratulations. You're practically a naked gold man!

Gloria Swanson, seated next to Judy Holliday, waits to hear the results of Best Actress

1951 The 23rd annual Academy Awards are held to honor the films of 1950. Fred Astaire hosts the ceremony which is a triumphant night for All About Eve (14 nominations, 6 wins). Though it seems insane given its hallowed place in film history Sunset Boulevard only won two Oscars that night in the categories of Art Direction and Story & Screenplay...

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Showbiz History: Winona's debut, Angelina's first wedding, and Gaga's next movies

5 random things that happend on this day, March 28th, in showbiz history...

1920 It's the "marriage of the century" as silent superstars Douglas Fairbanks and Mary Pickford wed. Their marriage last only 16 years but their only child together is still going strong: The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences...

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Showbiz History: Giant 1956, Best Actor 1972, and Quentin Tarantino's birthday

Today, March 27th, in Oscar history only...

Quinn, Malone, Brynner, and Grant (subbing in for absent Ingrid Bergman) at the 56 Oscars

1957 The 29th Academy Awards are held honoring the best of 1956. Very strange Oscar year in which the brilliant epic Giant loses Best Picture to the disposable travelogue Around the World in 80 Days. The King and I ties 80 days for most Oscars won with 5 that night. This year is also notable for making James Dean the only actor to have ever received two posthumous Oscar nominations. Though he died in 1955 before completing Giant the film was in post-production for a full year. We've discussed this year just for fun before. 

1973 The 45th Academy Awards are held with their very historic face off between Cabaret (10 noms / 8 wins) and The Godfather (10 noms / 3 wins including Best Picture. We've discussed this race countless times as total freaks for Cabaret. But here's one aspect I don't think we've ever touched on: Best Actor of 1972...

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