1948 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 20th Academy Awards, held on March 20, 1948, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles, marked a significant moment in Hollywood history
Hosted by the charismatic Agnes Moorehead, the ceremony celebrated the best films of 1947 amid the post-World War II era
"Gentleman's Agreement," a groundbreaking film addressing anti-Semitism, took home Best Picture, while Elia Kazan won Best Director for the same film
In a historic win, Loretta Young surprised many by claiming Best Actress for "The Farmer's Daughter." Ronald Colman's portrayal in "A Double Life" earned him Best Actor
The ceremony also reflected the changing social landscape, with films tackling serious issues gaining recognition
This year's awards set the stage for Hollywood's increasing engagement with societal concerns, marking a shift from purely escapist entertainment to more thought-provoking cinema.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1948, during the 20th Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 20/03/1948 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 6 categories honoring the films released in 1948:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1948?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1948?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1948?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1948?
Who won the Best Supporting Actor Oscar in 1948?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1948?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Gentleman's Agreement won Best Picture, marking the first time a film dealing explicitly with anti-Semitism won the top prize.
- Loretta Young's win for Best Actress in "The Farmer's Daughter" was considered a major upset, as Rosalind Russell was heavily favored to win for "Mourning Becomes Electra."
- Edmund Gwenn won Best Supporting Actor for his role as Kris Kringle in "Miracle on 34th Street" and famously quipped in his acceptance speech, "Now I know there's a Santa Claus."
- Celeste Holm won Best Supporting Actress for "Gentleman's Agreement" in her film debut, beating veterans like Anne Revere and Marjorie Main.
- This was the first year that the Academy Awards ceremony was broadcast on radio nationwide.
- Ronald Reagan, then an actor and president of the Screen Actors Guild, presented the award for Best Film Editing.
- James Baskett received an Honorary Academy Award for his portrayal of Uncle Remus in "Song of the South," becoming the first African American male performer to receive an Oscar.
- The ceremony was held at the Shrine Civic Auditorium in Los Angeles, which would become a frequent venue for the Oscars in subsequent years.
- "Zip-a-Dee-Doo-Dah" from "Song of the South" won for Best Original Song, a tune that would become a Disney classic.
- This was the 20th Academy Awards ceremony, marking two decades of the prestigious event in Hollywood.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1948 Academy Awards?
Agnes Moorehead hosted the 20th Academy Awards ceremony in 1948. - What were the biggest surprises at the 1948 Oscars?
One of the biggest surprises was Gentleman's Agreement winning Best Picture over the favored The Bishop's Wife. Another surprise was Edmund Gwenn winning Best Supporting Actor for Miracle on 34th Street, as he was not considered a frontrunner. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1948 Academy Awards?
Unfortunately, there are no widely documented memorable speeches from the 1948 Academy Awards that stand out in historical records. The ceremony was much less elaborate than modern Oscar ceremonies, and speeches were generally brief and not preserved for posterity.
What happened in 1948?
Discover what the world looked like in 1948: