1949 Academy Awards: Oscar Winners, Nominees and Highlights
The 21st Academy Awards, held on March 24, 1949, at the Academy Theater in Hollywood, marked a significant moment in film history
Hosted by the charismatic Robert Montgomery, the ceremony celebrated the cinematic achievements of 1948
The post-World War II era brought a shift in Hollywood's focus, with more realistic and socially conscious films gaining recognition
'Hamlet,' directed by and starring Laurence Olivier, made history as the first non-American film to win Best Picture
Olivier also became the first person to direct himself to a Best Actor Oscar
Jane Wyman's win for Best Actress in 'Johnny Belinda' was notable as she played a deaf-mute character with no spoken dialogue
The ceremony also saw Walter Huston and his son John Huston both winning awards for 'The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,' a rare father-son Oscar triumph.
Major Award Categories: Winners and Nominees
In 1949, during the 21st Academy Awards Cerimony, held on 24/03/1949 the following movies, actors, actresses and directors were awarded with the Oscar in 5 categories honoring the films released in 1949:
What movie won the Best Picture Oscar in 1949?
Who won the Best Director Oscar in 1949?
Who won the Best Actor Oscar in 1949?
Who won the Best Actress Oscar in 1949?
Who won the Best Supporting Actress Oscar in 1949?
Memorable Moments and Trivia
- Jane Wyman won Best Actress for "Johnny Belinda," becoming the first person since the silent era to win an acting Oscar without speaking a word in the film.
- Laurence Olivier's "Hamlet" became the first non-American film to win Best Picture.
- Laurence Olivier also won Best Actor for "Hamlet," making him the first person to direct himself to an Oscar-winning performance.
- Walter Huston won Best Supporting Actor for "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," which was directed by his son John Huston. In his acceptance speech, Walter famously said, "Many years ago... many, many years ago, I raised a son, and I said to him, 'If you ever become a writer or a director, please find a good part for your old man.'"
- John Huston won Best Director and Best Screenplay for "The Treasure of the Sierra Madre," making it the first father-son win in Oscar history.
- Claire Trevor won Best Supporting Actress for "Key Largo" and gave an emotional acceptance speech, saying, "I'm so excited, I'm just shaking all over."
- Jerry Wald received the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award, which was only the second time this special award had been presented.
- Costume Design was introduced as a new category, with the award going to Dorothy Jeakins and Karinska for "Joan of Arc."
- The ceremony was held at the Academy Award Theater, rather than a larger venue, due to financial constraints.
- This was the last year that all five Best Picture nominees were in black and white.
FAQ
- Who was the host of the 1949 Academy Awards?
Robert Montgomery - What were the biggest surprises at the 1949 Oscars?
The biggest surprise was 'Hamlet' winning Best Picture, becoming the first non-American film to win the top prize. Another surprise was Laurence Olivier winning Best Actor for 'Hamlet', as many expected William Powell to win for 'The Senator Was Indiscreet'. - What were the most memorable speeches at the 1949 Academy Awards?
Unfortunately, there are no widely documented memorable speeches from the 1949 Academy Awards that stand out in historical records. The ceremony was not televised, and detailed accounts of individual speeches are not readily available from this early period of the Oscars.
What happened in 1949?
Discover what the world looked like in 1949: