Just eight days after Franklin D. Roosevelt was elected president, the fifth Awards ceremony saw a couple of interesting happenings on the night. For the first time, a tie occurred. Wallace Beery and Fredric March were both honored for their performances in Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde (1931) and The Champ (1931), respectively. March actually beat Beery by one vote, but the rules at the time allowed a up to a three-vote margin to be declared a tie. The night also saw the only Best Picture winner, still to this day, to not be nominated for another category. Short films were also introduced to the Academy Awards this year. Walt Disney won his first of his record 22 Oscars with Flowers and Trees (1932). He was also honored with a special award for his creation of Mickey Mouse. Also, with the addition of more categories in years to come, this was the last year in which no film won more than two Oscars. Bad Girl (1931) and The Champ (1931) topped the night with a measly two awards each. We also see the category for Best Picture expand to eight nominations. The next year will see ten, and the following will see twelve. And the results are:
Best Picture nominees:
Arrowsmith
Bad Girl
The Champ
Five Star Final
Grand Hotel
One Hour with You
Shanghai Express
The Smiling Lieutenant
What won: Grand Hotel
The all-star cast of MGM juggernauts all take part in an enthralling story of how various seemingly unrelated characters interact and affect the lives of each other. The only film in Academy history to win the top honors without being nominated for another award, this is a perfect example of a movie hitting all the bases but not excelling too much in a single area. This balanced approach is a mix of entertainment and artistic achievement. A worthy winner of the fifth Best Picture award.
What should have won: Shanghai Express
This is the first time I've gone back and forth with my decision on what I think should have won Best Picture. If I were to write this post next week, perhaps I would have selected Grand Hotel. However, the cinematography alone makes Shanghai Express stand out as the most artistic film of the Awards period.The early film noir feel to it gives this movie the extra pizzazz to surpass Grand Hotel. Express also received two more nominations on the night, winning only the Cinematography statuette. It might not have the lasting impact Hotel has with its all-star cast and famous line by Greta Garbo ("I want to be alone"), but Shanghai Express narrowly beats out Grand Hotel in my personal Best Picture race.
My Best Picture nominee ranking:
1. Shanghai Express (7/10)
2. Grand Hotel (7/10)
3. Five Star Final (7/10)
4. Bad Girl (6/10)
5. The Smiling Lieutenant (6/10)
6. The Champ (5/10)
7. One Hour with You (5/10)
8. Arrowsmith (5/10)
Best Picture nominees:
Arrowsmith
Bad Girl
The Champ
Five Star Final
Grand Hotel
One Hour with You
Shanghai Express
The Smiling Lieutenant
What won: Grand Hotel
The all-star cast of MGM juggernauts all take part in an enthralling story of how various seemingly unrelated characters interact and affect the lives of each other. The only film in Academy history to win the top honors without being nominated for another award, this is a perfect example of a movie hitting all the bases but not excelling too much in a single area. This balanced approach is a mix of entertainment and artistic achievement. A worthy winner of the fifth Best Picture award.
What should have won: Shanghai Express
This is the first time I've gone back and forth with my decision on what I think should have won Best Picture. If I were to write this post next week, perhaps I would have selected Grand Hotel. However, the cinematography alone makes Shanghai Express stand out as the most artistic film of the Awards period.The early film noir feel to it gives this movie the extra pizzazz to surpass Grand Hotel. Express also received two more nominations on the night, winning only the Cinematography statuette. It might not have the lasting impact Hotel has with its all-star cast and famous line by Greta Garbo ("I want to be alone"), but Shanghai Express narrowly beats out Grand Hotel in my personal Best Picture race.
My Best Picture nominee ranking:
1. Shanghai Express (7/10)
2. Grand Hotel (7/10)
3. Five Star Final (7/10)
4. Bad Girl (6/10)
5. The Smiling Lieutenant (6/10)
6. The Champ (5/10)
7. One Hour with You (5/10)
8. Arrowsmith (5/10)