1939 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 11th Academy Awards, held on February 23, 1939, at the Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, marked a significant moment in Hollywood history
Hosted by Frank Capra, the ceremony celebrated the outstanding film achievements of 1938
The night's big winner was "You Can't Take It with You," which took home Best Picture and Best Director for Capra
Spencer Tracy and Bette Davis claimed the top acting honors for "Boys Town" and "Jezebel," respectively
Walt Disney received a special award for "Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs," recognizing its groundbreaking impact on animation
The ceremony took place against the backdrop of growing tensions in Europe, with World War II looming on the horizon
Despite this, the glamour and excitement of Hollywood's biggest night provided a welcome distraction, showcasing the enduring power of cinema to captivate and inspire audiences worldwide.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1939, during the 11th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 23/02/1939 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1939:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1939?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1939?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1939?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1939?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1939?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- "Gone with the Wind" dominated the ceremony, winning eight competitive awards including Best Picture, Best Director (Victor Fleming), and Best Actress (Vivien Leigh).
- Hattie McDaniel became the first African American to win an Oscar, receiving Best Supporting Actress for her role as Mammy in "Gone with the Wind." Her acceptance speech was both emotional and groundbreaking.
- Despite the film's success, Clark Gable lost Best Actor to Robert Donat for "Goodbye, Mr. Chips," which was considered a surprise upset.
- The ceremony was held at the Ambassador Hotel's Cocoanut Grove nightclub, marking a departure from previous venues.
- This was the first year that the Oscar statuettes were made of bronze, plated in 24-karat gold, as they are today. Previously, they were made of solid bronze.
- Judy Garland received a special Juvenile Award for her performances in "The Wizard of Oz" and "Babes in Arms," as she was too young for the regular competitive categories.
- "The Wizard of Oz" won two awards for Best Original Score and Best Original Song ("Over the Rainbow"), but lost Best Picture to "Gone with the Wind."
- This ceremony marked the end of the first decade of the Academy Awards, showcasing how much the event had grown in prestige and importance since its inception.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1939 Academy Awards?
There was no official host for the 1939 Academy Awards ceremony. The Academy Awards didn't start having regular hosts until the 1950s. In 1939, the ceremony was presided over by the Academy president at the time, Frank Capra. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1939 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises at the 1939 Oscars was Hattie McDaniel winning Best Supporting Actress for her role in 'Gone with the Wind'. She became the first African American to win an Academy Award. Another surprise was 'Gone with the Wind' not sweeping all categories despite its popularity, losing Best Actor to Robert Donat for 'Goodbye, Mr. Chips'. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1939 Academy Awards?
The most memorable speech at the 1939 Academy Awards was likely Hattie McDaniel's acceptance speech for Best Supporting Actress. It was brief but poignant, acknowledging the significance of her win as an African American. Another notable moment was Vivien Leigh's acceptance speech for Best Actress, where she thanked her producer David O. Selznick for making 'Gone with the Wind' possible.
What happened in 1939?
Discover what the world looked like in 1939: