The bone Oscars They have become a symbol of cinema. From 1929 The Hollywood Academy annually honors actors, directors, films, and all members of the industry.
After 94 editions —that of 2023 is the 95th—, the rewards accumulate many curious and interesting stories, as the origin of its name or its statuettes.
Who was Oscar?
Oscar, that the statuette owes his name, he was not a person related to the world of cinema, or at least that’s what the Hollywood legend says.
The name Oscar was coined by the Librarian of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Margaret Herrickwho the first time he saw the statuette given to the winners said that it reminded him of his uncle Óscar, as stated in the Akal Technical Dictionary of Cinema.
Herrick, who died in 1976, served as librarian from 1931 to 1964. He left that year to assume the position of general manager, which she held until 1971, at which time she was named Director Emeritus. Today the Library of the Academy bears his name in homage.
The original drawing of the statuette
The author of the statuette that reminded Herrick of his uncle has nothing to do with the librarian’s family. The Hollywood award was a drawing by Metro Goldwyn Mayer Art Department Head Cedric Gibbons, who, far from being inspired by Uncle Oscar, is interested in the Mexican actor and director Emilio Fernández (El Indio Fernández).
According to the caption, the drawing was sketched in the table napkin of paper from a cafe.
Born in Dublin, Cedric Gibbons was one of the artistic directors most influential in the history of cinema. He has been nominated for an Oscar 30 times and received 11 awards.
Gibbons received the statuette for the films San Luis Rey Bridge (1929), The Merry Widow (1934), pride and prejudice (1940), heart to heart (1941), dying light (1944), awakening (1946), little woman (1949), An American in Paris (1951), captives of evil (1952), Julius Caesar (1953) y marked by hatred (1956). Of his unrewarded titles, he highlights The Wizard of Oz (1939).