Behind the Oscar: The Secret History of the Academy Awards

by Anthony Holden

Tracing the awards from their founding by Louis B. Mayer in 1928 to the present, Holden shows the evolution of the ceremony from a five-minute pat on the back to a six-week orgy of self-congratulation. "Marvelously entertaining, but also a serious and comprehensive inquiry."--Publishers Weekly. Photos.

Genres: Nonfiction, Film, Media Tie In, History

672 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1993

About the author

Anthony Holden is an English writer, broadcaster and critic, particularly known as a biographer of artists.

Reviews

[Jill H. · Rating 4 out of 5]

A gossipy but still a rather serious study of the famous or infamous Academy Awards (Oscars). Due to the publication date, it only runs up into the early 1990s but that takes nothing away from the narrative. The author pulls no punches about how some actors/directors/producers positioned themselves through ridiculous advertising and public self aggrandizement to win a nomination and the "big prize". It involved almost as much money for the publicity as it did to make the film.

Actors winning does not guarantee further success.....for example, Luise Rainier (who?) after she won two consecutive Best Actress Oscars or Gig Young who several years after his win committed suicide because he could not get any work. It is called the "Oscar jinx" and seems to hold true in many cases. Anybody remember George Chakiris?

Some Hollywood greats have been totally overlooked for no particular reason....Alfred Hitchcock, Cary Grant, Kirk Douglas. They were finally "recognized" with a Special Oscar Life Achievement Award which many considered a slap in the face.
The book answers such questions as how in the world did a real stinker like"The Greatest Show On Earth" win several Oscars over films like "High Noon".

Photos and lists of all awards round out this moviegoers reference book and overall is a treat of insider Hollywood's trivia.

[Kelsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

The only problem here is that it is apparent when reading that Holden has an agenda. He weaves in opinions about executives and celebrities so intricately that you find yourself siding with him and not giving others the benefit of the doubt. I know that even now, when I see the MGM logo I get a little peeved.

[Oisín · Rating 1 out of 5]

Decent research and some interesting gossip, but horribly structured with a meandering pace I found quite confusing. And that's ignoring the questionable politics and proofreading, lmao.

[Helen · Rating 2 out of 5]

I really don't like this author's style of writing , but I read this book b/c I love everything about the Academy Awards. But it was difficult to read b/c of the author's writing style. I did like the appendices - but definitely out dated. Only talks about the awards through 1991.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

Self explanatory. Fairly interesting.