1929 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 1929 Academy Awards, held on May 16, 1930, marked the second-ever ceremony honoring achievements in the film industry
Hosted by William C
deMille at the Ambassador Hotel in Los Angeles, this historic event reflected the transition from silent films to "talkies." The groundbreaking war film "All Quiet on the Western Front" took home the coveted Outstanding Production award, while its director Lewis Milestone won Best Director
In a notable first, Mary Pickford's win for Best Actress in "Coquette" made her the inaugural winner in a sound film category
The ceremony also saw George Arliss claim Best Actor for "Disraeli." Against the backdrop of the Great Depression, these awards celebrated cinema's enduring power to entertain and inspire, setting the stage for the Oscars' future as a cultural touchstone.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1929, during the 1st Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 16/05/1929 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1929:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1929?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1929?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1929?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1929?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1929?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- The 1929 Academy Awards was the first-ever ceremony, held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel.
- The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes and was not broadcast on radio or television.
- There were only 12 categories, compared to over 20 in modern ceremonies.
- Wings won the first-ever Academy Award for Outstanding Picture (now known as Best Picture).
- Janet Gaynor won the first Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three films: "7th Heaven," "Sunrise," and "Street Angel."
- Emil Jannings won the first Academy Award for Best Actor for his performances in "The Last Command" and "The Way of All Flesh."
- Charlie Chaplin received an honorary award for his work on "The Circus," which was originally nominated in multiple categories but was removed from the competitive awards.
- There were no acceptance speeches as the winners were announced three months before the ceremony.
- The statuette, later known as the Oscar, was designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley.
- Only 270 people attended the private dinner event, with tickets costing $5 each.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1929 Academy Awards?
The 1929 Academy Awards did not have a host. The ceremony was a private dinner event held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, and it was presided over by Douglas Fairbanks, who was the president of the Academy at the time. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1929 Oscars?
There weren't many surprises at the 1929 Academy Awards as it was the first ceremony and the winners were announced three months in advance. However, one notable aspect was that Janet Gaynor won the first Academy Award for Best Actress for her performances in three different films in the same year, which is a feat that has never been repeated. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1929 Academy Awards?
There are no records of memorable speeches from the 1929 Academy Awards. The ceremony was a brief affair, lasting only about 15 minutes, and the presentation of awards was reportedly a simple and straightforward process without long acceptance speeches.
What happened in 1929?
Discover what the world looked like in 1929: