Happy 80th Anniversary, 1941 Oscars!

            Oscars season is upon us again! I'm always excited to watch - especially for the red carpet - but I also love looking at photos and footage from Old Hollywood Oscars ceremonies. (It may be because those are the ones with actors I actually know.) I was thinking about this the other day when I realized something exciting - it's 2021! Which means it has been 80 years since my favorite Academy Awards ceremony, if one can have a favorite. Happy anniversary, 1941 Oscars!

            The 13th Academy Awards was held on February 27, 1941, at the Biltmore Hotel. The ceremony honored films released the previous year, 1940, and was hosted by Bob Hope.

            It was the first time the names of the winners were kept secret until the moment they received awards. This led to the line, "May I have the envelope, please?"

Best Picture

Who Won: Rebecca, starring Joan Fontaine and Laurence Olivier. The film was directed by Alfred Hitchcock (his first American movie) and was an adaptation of Daphne du Maurier's famous novel.   

Who I Think Should Have Won: The Philadelphia Story! It's one of my absolute favorite films, has an incredible all-star cast, and is pretty much the most quotable film ever. I did enjoy Rebecca (definitely more than the remake), but in terms of Best Picture merit I think Philadelphia Story deserved it.


Here's Hitchcock talking to leading lady Joan Fontaine at the 1941 Oscars.


Best Actor

Who Won: Jimmy Stewart, for his role in The Philadelphia Story.

Who I Think Should Have Won: Jimmy Stewart's win was well-deserved. His performance in Philadelphia Story was downright hilarious and wonderful. HOWEVER - hello, Academy, where is Cary Grant's Oscar? Cary starred in two of the funniest films *ever* in the same year: The Philadelphia Story and His Girl Friday. In some grievous error, he wasn't even nominated for either film. And he never did win an Oscar.

            Jimmy Stewart thought he won in 1941 because he was passed over for Mr. Smith Goes to Washington in 1940. He wasn't planning on coming to the ceremony until someone called him and advised him to show up. But aren't we glad he did! Plus, it was the perfect opportunity for the most adorable photos of Jimmy and the...

Best Actress

Who Won: Ginger Rogers for her big dramatic role in Kitty Foyle.

Who I Think Should Have Won: Ginger!! (insert too many exclamation points!) But to explain why, here are the other Best Actress nominees.

Katharine Hepburn - The Philadelphia Story
Bette Davis - The Letter
Joan Fontaine - Rebecca
Martha Scott - Our Town

            Curiously, a 1940 newspaper article predicted Ginger's win for Kitty Foyle and said Katharine Hepburn wouldn't win because she wasn't popular enough with the voters. This was coming off Kate's box-office-poison run, so maybe it had some truth to it.

            Kitty Foyle was Ginger's major dramatic accomplishment, and her only Oscar win. She was up against Katharine Hepburn and Bette Davis, two of the era's hugest stars; Joan Fontaine, an up-and-coming breakout discovery; and Martha Scott in her film debut. Her win was the result of years of incredibly hard work, struggles for fair pay, and all-around talent. When Ginger won, it symbolized the shining image of the film industry - a woman who had risen from an unknown young performer to a Hollywood star through dedication and spirit.

            And THAT is why this is my favorite Oscar year, not only because Ginger is my favorite actress, but because after years of making films she was finally honored for the talent she contributed to Hollywood.

            Alfred Lunt and Lynn Fontanne presented Ginger's Oscar to her.

The Best Actor and Best Actress. How lovely are these pictures?? I also love Ginger's dress.

            So there you have it - my favorite Oscars year! There are lots of reasons why it sticks out to me, but the main few are the sheer number of wonderful films made in 1940, the incredible talent of all the nominees, and the fact that the photographs make you feel like you're right there. I think I'd much rather be at the 1941 Oscars than the 2021 Oscars, truth be told. 80 years ago - it seems like such a long time, doesn't it?

            Thanks for reading! Do you have a favorite Oscars?


            P.S. If these pictures lead you down the Google Image search "Jimmy Stewart Ginger Rogers" rabbit hole, or make you go watch Vivacious Lady, my mission is accomplished.

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