The second Awards saw the first full year of talking pictures on the ballots. Unlike every other Awards year, this was the only one to not release official nominees. Research by the Academy resulted in a list of de facto nominees so the movies pictured above are retroactively official nominees for Best Picture. The voting system was still similar to the first Awards in that the Academy voted for nominees, but only five individuals ended up selecting the eventual winners. This is how, in many people's opinion, Mary Pickford was able to win her Best Actress award. These Awards also saw a dramatic cut in the number of awards themselves. In the previous year, fourteen awards were handed out. This year, only seven were awarded. This was also the first Awards broadcast on radio. Alas, here are my results:
Best Picture nominees:
Alibi
The Broadway Melody
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
In Old Arizona
The Patriot
What won: The Broadway Melody
With the novelty of sound pictures still very much alive during these years, this film seems like a no brainer. A plot focused on the very popular variety-type stage shows on Broadway let people not only hear the actors converse, but sing throughout. Songs were even incorporated as a plot driver for the first time in film. Musicals have come a long way since, but this movie plants the seeds in a very competent way.
What should have won: The Broadway Melody
It will be interesting to see how many times this happens - that I agree with the Academy's selection. With hindsight, I am attempting to pick the very best film of the selected nominees for this project. Sometimes, it seems the Academy picks their winner based on historical significance or other criteria not based on the quality of the film itself. However, I think this is a time where historical significance and the best film align properly. The plot is engaging, the music isn't terrible, and the samples of the stage performances are entertaining. However, I think I would be singing a different tune if I had seen Ernst Lubitsch's lost film, The Patriot. I would take a late silent film over an early talkie any day of the week.
My Best Picture nominee rankings:
1. The Broadway Melody (6/10)
2. Alibi (5/10)
3. The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (5/10)
4. In Old Arizona (4/10)
The Patriot is considered "lost"
Best Picture nominees:
Alibi
The Broadway Melody
The Hollywood Revue of 1929
In Old Arizona
The Patriot
What won: The Broadway Melody
With the novelty of sound pictures still very much alive during these years, this film seems like a no brainer. A plot focused on the very popular variety-type stage shows on Broadway let people not only hear the actors converse, but sing throughout. Songs were even incorporated as a plot driver for the first time in film. Musicals have come a long way since, but this movie plants the seeds in a very competent way.
What should have won: The Broadway Melody
It will be interesting to see how many times this happens - that I agree with the Academy's selection. With hindsight, I am attempting to pick the very best film of the selected nominees for this project. Sometimes, it seems the Academy picks their winner based on historical significance or other criteria not based on the quality of the film itself. However, I think this is a time where historical significance and the best film align properly. The plot is engaging, the music isn't terrible, and the samples of the stage performances are entertaining. However, I think I would be singing a different tune if I had seen Ernst Lubitsch's lost film, The Patriot. I would take a late silent film over an early talkie any day of the week.
My Best Picture nominee rankings:
1. The Broadway Melody (6/10)
2. Alibi (5/10)
3. The Hollywood Revue of 1929 (5/10)
4. In Old Arizona (4/10)
The Patriot is considered "lost"