1931 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 4th Academy Awards, held on November 10, 1931, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, marked a significant milestone in Hollywood's golden age
Hosted by Lawrence Grant, this ceremony celebrated films released between August 1, 1930, and July 31, 1931
The event occurred against the backdrop of the Great Depression, with cinema providing a much-needed escape for many Americans
'Cimarron' made history as the first Western to win Best Picture, while also securing two other awards
Norman Taurog, at 32, became the youngest Best Director winner for 'Skippy.' Marie Dressler's Best Actress win for 'Min and Bill' at age 63 set a record that stood for decades
Notable changes included the introduction of the Best Story category and the last year of multiple-year eligibility for performers, marking the Academy's evolving standards in recognizing cinematic excellence.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1931, during the 4th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 10/11/1931 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 4 categories honoring the films released in 1931:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1931?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1931?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1931?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1931?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- The 4th Academy Awards ceremony was held on November 10, 1931, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles.
- Norman Taurog, at age 32, became the youngest person to win the Best Director Oscar for "Skippy." This record stood until 2017.
- Marie Dressler won Best Actress for "Min and Bill," making her the oldest winner in that category at the time, at age 63.
- "Cimarron" became the first Western film to win Best Picture.
- The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes, making it the shortest Academy Awards ceremony in history.
- There were no official hosts for this ceremony.
- The awards were not broadcast on radio or television, as this practice had not yet begun.
- This was the last year that the eligibility period for nominations was spread over two calendar years (in this case, August 1, 1930 to July 31, 1931).
- Jackie Cooper, at age 9, became the youngest nominee for Best Actor for his role in "Skippy." This record stood until 2004.
- The Best Sound Recording category was introduced this year, with "Paramount Publix Studio Sound Department" winning for "The Right to Love."
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1931 Academy Awards?
The 1931 Academy Awards did not have a host. The ceremony was a private dinner at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, and formal hosting duties were not yet established for the event. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1931 Oscars?
There were no significant surprises recorded for the 1931 Academy Awards. The ceremony was still in its early years and was a relatively small, private affair. The awards were generally predictable based on the films and performances of that year. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1931 Academy Awards?
There are no records of memorable speeches from the 1931 Academy Awards. The ceremony was not broadcast, and detailed accounts of the event are scarce. At this time, acceptance speeches were not a formal part of the ceremony, and winners typically just accepted their award without making lengthy remarks.
What happened in 1931?
Discover what the world looked like in 1931: