Odd Oscar Info. Trivia Quiz

Answer: Roosevelt Hotel

The first Academy Awards were presented on Thursday, May 16, 1929 at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel; the entire ceremony lasted only 15 minutes. Since 1927, the Roosevelt Hotel has hosted stars like Clark Gable and Marilyn Monroe. It is still located on Hollywood Boulevard and, in 2005, major renovations were done to restore its popularity.

Answer: The Deer Hunter (1978)

"The Deer Hunter" stars Robert De Niro, John Savage and Christopher Walken as Pennsylvania factory workers who join the Army to fight in the Vietnam War. There is an especially vivid scene where the three are captured and forced to play Russian Roulette.
"Star Wars" lost to "Annie Hall" in 1977; "Taxi Driver" lost to "Rocky" in 1976; "Jaws" lost to "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975.

Answer: Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences

Every year the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) honors its selection by voting for the best films of the previous year, e.g., the 81st Academy Awards were given in February 2009 for the movies of 2008.

According to their website, AMPAS was "founded in 1927 by 36 of the most influential men and women in the motion picture industry at the time; the Academy is an honorary membership organization whose ranks now include more than 6,000 artists and professionals."

Answer: Douglas Fairbanks

Academy President Douglas Fairbanks, star of "The Thief of Bagdad" in 1924, presented the Awards. The best picture award for 1927/1928 was given to the movie "Wings", a silent movie starring Clara Bow, "Buddy" Rogers and Richard Arlen. Bob Hope has hosted more award ceremonies (18) than anyone else.

Douglas Fairbanks' movie career began in 1915, and included performances in movies such as "The Mark of Zorro" (1920) and the "Thief of Baghdad." (1924)

Answer: Kodak Theater

Kodak Theater is located in Hollywood (and Highland). Since opening in November 2001, it has hosted the Academy Award ceremonies and, in 2002, became home to the popular reality TV show "American Idol".

Answer: True

This contract requirement began in 1950. Notwithstanding this clause, Steven Spielberg managed to buy two Oscars that had been previously awarded -- Bette Davis' 1938 Best Actress Award for "Jezebel," and Clark Gable's 1934 Best Actor Award for "It Happened One Night".

Interestingly, following his purchases, Mr. Spielberg donated the two awards back to "the Academy".

Answer: All of these

Through the first 80 years of the Academy Awards, this has happened only three times -- "It Happened One Night" in 1934; "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest" in 1975 and "Silence of the Lambs" in 1991.

"It Happened One Night" was about a spoiled heiress, running away from her family, who met up with a "hard-boiled" newspaperman. It starred Clark Gable and Claudette Colbert.

"One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," starring Jack Nicholson, recounted the tale of a mental asylum patient who took on the system.

"Silence of the Lambs" was about a young FBI agent working with a psychotic killer to help catch another serial killer. It starred Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster.

Answer: Citizen Kane (1941)

Although number one on many lists of the best movies of all time, "Citizen Kane" lost to "How Green Was My Valley" in 1941. "Citizen Kane" is about the life of a publishing tycoon and was written and directed by Orson Welles. It concerned the rise and fall of newspaper publisher Charles Foster Kane, and the meaning of the word "Rosebud", spoken at his death.
Other runners-up included: "The Hustler" (1961), "A Clockwork Orange" (1971) and "Raiders of the Lost Ark" (1981).

Answer: Gangs of New York (2002)

"Gangs of New York" is a film was about a boy who witnesses his father's murder in a gang fight. A few years later, he returns to New York City (in the mid 1800s) to get revenge against his father's killer. It was directed by Martin Scorsese and its "star" power was comprised of Daniel-Day Lewis, Leonardo DiCaprio and Cameron Diaz.
The other three movies, also shut out, received seven nominations each.

Answer: Slumdog Millionaire

"Slumdog Millionaire" was about a Mumbai teen from the slums who is a contestant on the Indian version of "Who Wants To Be A Millionaire". We are shown flashbacks of his life showing events that led to his being able to answer the quiz show's questions. It was directed by Danny Boyle (of "Trainspotting" fame) who also won the Oscar for Best Director.

As for the incorrect choices: "Doubt" lost; "The Dark Knight" was not even nominated; "No Country for Old Men" won Best Picture for 2007.