Oscar Winners

1927 Wings       Action N/R, 139 Minutes
Director: William A. Wellman  
Starring: Clara Bow, Charles "Buddy" Rogers, Richard Arlen, Gary Cooper, El Brendel, Jobyna Ralston, Richard Tucker, Henry B. Walthall, Roscoe Karns, Julia Swayne Gordon

 "Wings" won the first Academy Award for Best Picture. It is a silent film that depicts the World War I Air Corps aerial flight sequences and an anti-war statement that tells of buddies who fly in the face of danger.

1927 Seventh Heaven       Drama / Romance N/R, 119 Minutes
Director: Frank Borzage  
Starring: Janet Gaynor, Ben Bard, Charles Farrell, David Butler, Marie Mosquini, Albert Gran, Brandon Hurst, George E. Stone, Emile Chautard, Lillian West

 This story is about Diane (Janet Gaynor), a Parisian waif who, after being exploited by her sister Nana (Gladys Brockwell), finds a life with Chico (Charles Farrell), a sewer worker. When World War I begins, Chico has fallen in love with Diane, but he is sent to the front. Diane gets a report that Chico has been killed, but the report is wrong, and Chico, now blind, finds his way back to Diane. This film won Best Actress (Gaynor), Director, and Screenplay Academy Award honors. This was the first year for the Oscars and covered a two-year period (1927-28).

1927 The Way of All Flesh       Drama N/R, 94 Minutes
Director: Victor Fleming  
Starring: Emil Jannings, Phyllis Haver, Donald Keith, Belle Bennett, Jackie Coombs, Fred Kohler, Gordon Thorpe, Philippe De Lacy, Mickey McBan, Betsy Ann Hisle

 Emil Jannings won the first Best Actor Academy Award for his portrayal as a bank teller who was mugged and presumed dead. The Oscar was for his work not only in this film but also for "The Last Command" (1928). (In the first years of the Academy Awards, they were presented for a two-year period.) This story was remade in 1940.

1927 Seventh Heaven       Drama / Romance N/R, 119 Minutes
Director: Frank Borzage  
Starring: Janet Gaynor, Ben Bard, Charles Farrell, David Butler, Marie Mosquini, Albert Gran, Brandon Hurst, George E. Stone, Emile Chautard, Lillian West

 This story is about Diane (Janet Gaynor), a Parisian waif who, after being exploited by her sister Nana (Gladys Brockwell), finds a life with Chico (Charles Farrell), a sewer worker. When World War I begins, Chico has fallen in love with Diane, but he is sent to the front. Diane gets a report that Chico has been killed, but the report is wrong, and Chico, now blind, finds his way back to Diane. This film won Best Actress (Gaynor), Director, and Screenplay Academy Award honors. This was the first year for the Oscars and covered a two-year period (1927-28).

1929 The Broadway Melody       Musical / Romance N/R, 110 Minutes
Director: Harry Beaumont  
Starring: Anita Page, Bessie Love, Charles King, Jed Prouty, Kenneth Thomson, Mary Doran, Eddie Kane, James Gleason

 This film captured the Oscar for Best Picture. Cole Porter songs are the backdrop for two vaudeville sisters (Anita Page and Bessie Love) who are in love with the same man. Nominations also went to Bessie Love and Director Harry Beaumont.

1929 The Divine Lady       Drama N/R, 100 Minutes
Director: Frank Lloyd  
Starring: Corinne Griffith, Victor Varconi, H.B. Warner, Ian Keith, Marie Dressler, Dorothy Cumming, William Conklin, Montagu Love, Helen Jerome Eddy, Julia Swayne Gordon

 Amidst exciting sea battles, this film tells the story of the scandalous affair between Lady Hamilton (Corinne Griffith) and Lord Horatio Nelson (Victor Varconi), which leads to her influence providing supplies for Nelson's fleet and, ultimately, the British victory. Frank Lloyd won an Academy Award for Best Director.

1928 In Old Arizona       Western N/R, 95 Minutes
Director: Irving Cummings  
Starring: Edmund Lowe, Dorothy Burgess, Warner Baxter, J. Farrell MacDonald, Joe Brown, John Webb Dillon, Ivan Linow, Roy Stewart, James Bradbury Jr., Fred Warren

 This tale of O. Henry's "The Cisco Kid" was the first Western talkie as well as the first sound film made outside of a studio. Army Sergeant Mickey Dunne (Edmund Lowe) is pursuing the bandit, The Cisco Kid (Warner Baxter), who is in love with Tonia Maria (Dorothy Burgess). While The Cisco Kid is away, Tonia falls in love with Mickey, and, together, they plot The Cisco Kid's demise. Warner Baxter received an Oscar for Best Actor in his role as the Cisco Kid. The film also received four Academy Award nominations including Best Picture and Director.

1929 Coquette       Drama N/R, 75 Minutes
Director: Sam Taylor  
Starring: Mary Pickford, Johnny Mack Brown, Matt Moore, John St. Polis, William Janney, Henry Kolker, George Irving, Louise Beavers

 Mary Pickford won the Academy Award for her performance as a college girl who lies to free her deceased father from a murder charge. He killed her boyfriend (Johnny Mack Brown) after discovering that the couple spent the night together, and then he committed suicide.

1930 All Quiet on the Western Front       Drama / Action N/R, 140 Minutes
Director: Lewis Milestone  
Starring: Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Raymond Griffith, Slim Summerville, Fred Zinnemann, Russell Gleason, Ben Alexander, Harold Goodwin, William Bakewell

 The horrors of war along the Western Front during World War I are experienced by a group of young German soldiers and are told in this powerful story about the futility of war. Paul Bauman (Lew Ayres) and his classmates arrive on the front lines ready for battle. Their sergeant, Katczinsky (Louis Wolheim), briefs them on how to survive, but that night one of them is shot, and they learn that they are low on supplies and food. Now, they face days and nights fighting from the trenches and realize that fighting for their country is not what they had once believed it would be. The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director.

1930 All Quiet on the Western Front       Drama / Action N/R, 140 Minutes
Director: Lewis Milestone  
Starring: Louis Wolheim, Lew Ayres, John Wray, Raymond Griffith, Slim Summerville, Fred Zinnemann, Russell Gleason, Ben Alexander, Harold Goodwin, William Bakewell

 The horrors of war along the Western Front during World War I are experienced by a group of young German soldiers and are told in this powerful story about the futility of war. Paul Bauman (Lew Ayres) and his classmates arrive on the front lines ready for battle. Their sergeant, Katczinsky (Louis Wolheim), briefs them on how to survive, but that night one of them is shot, and they learn that they are low on supplies and food. Now, they face days and nights fighting from the trenches and realize that fighting for their country is not what they had once believed it would be. The film won Academy Awards for Best Picture and Director.

1929 Disraeli       Drama N/R, 89 Minutes
Director: Alfred E. Green  
Starring: George Arliss, Joan Bennett, Florence Arliss, Anthony Bushell, David Torrence, Ivan F. Simpson, Doris Lloyd, Michael Visaroff

 "Disraeli" was nominated for an Academy Award as Best Picture, and George Arliss won the Oscar for Best Actor in his role of the British prime minister who acquired rights to the Suez Canal, among many successes.

1930 The Divorcee       Drama / Romance N/R, 80 Minutes
Director: Robert Z. Leonard  
Starring: Norma Shearer, Chester Morris, Conrad Nagel, Robert Montgomery, Florence Eldridge, Helene Millard, Robert Elliott, Mary Doran, Tyler Brooke, George Irving

 Shortly after their whirlwind courtship and marriage, Jerry (Norma Shearer) discovers that her husband Ted (Chester Morris) is having an affair with Janice (Mary Doran). Jerry's solution is to kick Ted out of her bed and sleep with Ted's best friend Don (Robert Montgomery). Now, other lovers become part of Jerry's life until she finally returns to Ted and all is forgiven. While this film was nominated for Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Writing, it was Norma Shearer who walked away with the Oscar for Best Actress for 1929/30.

1931 Cimarron       Drama / Western N/R, 131 Minutes
Director: Wesley Ruggles  
Starring: Richard Dix, Irene Dunne, Estelle Taylor, Nance O'Neil, William Collier Jr., Roscoe Ates, George E. Stone, Robert McWade, Edna May Oliver, Frank Darien

 This early sound film won the Academy Award for Best Picture and is based on Edna Ferber's novel about the hardships faced by Yancey and Sabra Cravat (Richard Dix and Irene Dunne) staking a land claim during the Oklahoma land rush. Yancey starts a newspaper business and crusades for justice. His efforts lead to long separations from Sabra, which prove fatal for the marriage, and Yancey leaves Sabra and their children to continue his "quick draw" brand of justice. With help from her friend, Mrs. Wyatt (Edna May Oliver), Sabra takes over the newspaper business and turns it into a powerful empire.

1931 Skippy       Family N/R, 88 Minutes
Director: Norman Taurog  
Starring: Jackie Cooper, Robert Coogan, Mitzi Green, Jackie Searl, Willard Robertson, Helen Jerome Eddy, Enid Bennett, Jack Clifford, Guy Oliver, Donald Haines

 This film received nominations for Best Picture and Best Actor, and Norman Taurog took home the Oscar for Best Director. Skippy (Jackie Cooper) is an all-American boy finding happiness and success in spite of not being born with a silver spoon in his mouth. A sequel, "Sooky," was made later the same year.

1931 A Free Soul       Drama N/R, 91 Minutes
Director: Clarence Brown  
Starring: Norma Shearer, Lionel Barrymore, Leslie Howard, Clark Gable, James Gleason, Lucy Beaumont, Claire Whitney, Frank Sheridan, Edward Brophy, George Irving

 Lionel Barrymore won the Academy Award for Best Actor for his portrayal of the boozing lawyer, Stephen Ashe, whose daughter (Norma Shearer) becomes part of a romantic triangle with gangster Ace Wilfong (Clark Gable) and her fiance, Dwight Winthrop (Leslie Howard). This film was later remade as "The Girl Who Had Everything."

1930 Min and Bill       Drama N/R, 66 Minutes
Director: George W. Hill  
Starring: Marie Dressler, Wallace Beery, Dorothy Jordan, Marjorie Rambeau, Frank McGlynn Sr., Don Dillaway, Russell Hopton, DeWitt Jennings, Jack Pennick, Gretta Gould

 Marie Dressler won the Academy Award as Best Actress for her role as Min, the salty owner of a seaside inn who goes to extremes protecting those she loves.

1932 Grand Hotel       Drama / Romance N/R, 115 Minutes
Director: Edmund Goulding  
Starring: Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Beery, Lionel Barrymore, Jean Hersholt, Robert McWade, Purnell Pratt, Rafaela Ottiano, Tully Marshall

 This anthology won the Academy Award for Best Picture of 1931-1932. The story takes place in Berlin following World War I and involves guests of the Grand Hotel. Among those visiting are a ballerina (Greta Garbo), a jewel thief (John Barrymore), and a young stenographer (Joan Crawford).

1931 Bad Girl       Drama N/R, 90 Minutes
Director: Frank Borzage  
Starring: Sally Eilers, James Dunn, Minna Gombell, Frank Darien, Paul Fix, William Pawley, Edmund Breese, Sarah Padden, Irving Bacon, Louis Natheaux

 A couple have had trouble making ends meet until a new baby arrives. Frank Borzage won an Academy Award as Best Director and the film was nominated for Best Picture.

1932 Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde       Drama / Horror / Thriller N/R, 90 Minutes
Director: Rouben Mamoulian  
Starring: Fredric March, Miriam Hopkins, Rose Hobart, Halliwell Hobbes, Holmes Herbert, Edgar Norton, Douglas Walton, Sam Harris, Tempe Pigott, Eric Wilton

 Fredric March won the Oscar for his performance in this, the first, sound production of the famous tale by Robert Louis Stevenson. Dr. Jekyll (March) experiments with good and evil and drinks a potion after which his dark side emerges as the evil Mr. Hyde whose lecherous appetite is unrestrained. Dr. Jekyll is unable to restrain Mr. Hyde, and tragedy ensues.

1931 The Sin of Madelon Claudet       Drama N/R, 73 Minutes
Director: Edgar Selwyn  
Starring: Helen Hayes, Lewis Stone, Neil Hamilton, Robert Young, Cliff Edwards, Jean Hersholt, Charles Winninger, Alan Hale, Marie Prevost, Karen Morley

 Helen Hayes won the Academy Award as Best Actress for this film in which she portrayed Madelon Claudet, a poor woman who pays friends to rear her son born out of wedlock. Her mother's love drives her to resort to prostitution to gain money needed for her son's welfare–a son who does not suspect she is his mother.

1933 Cavalcade       Drama / Romance N/R, 110 Minutes
Director: Frank Lloyd  
Starring: Diana Wynyard, Clive Brook, Ursula Jeans, Herbert Mundin, Una O'Connor, Beryl Mercer, Irene Browne, Frank Lawton, Margaret Lindsay, Billy Bevan

 This film, an Oscar winner for Best Picture, is Noel Coward's story of the effects of World War I on the British Marryot family (Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook) over a 30 year period–before, during, and after the war. Frank Lloyd also won an Oscar for Best Director. A third Oscar was received for Art Direction.

1933 Cavalcade       Drama / Romance N/R, 110 Minutes
Director: Frank Lloyd  
Starring: Diana Wynyard, Clive Brook, Ursula Jeans, Herbert Mundin, Una O'Connor, Beryl Mercer, Irene Browne, Frank Lawton, Margaret Lindsay, Billy Bevan

 This film, an Oscar winner for Best Picture, is Noel Coward's story of the effects of World War I on the British Marryot family (Diana Wynyard and Clive Brook) over a 30 year period–before, during, and after the war. Frank Lloyd also won an Oscar for Best Director. A third Oscar was received for Art Direction.

1933 The Private Life of Henry VIII       Drama N/R, 97 Minutes
Director: Alexander Korda  
Starring: Charles Laughton, Merle Oberon, Wendy Barrie, Elsa Lanchester, Robert Donat, Miles Mander, Binnie Barnes, Everley Gregg, Franklin Dyall, Claud Allister

 Charles Laughton won the Oscar for his portrayal of Henry VIII in this historical film. It is the story of Henry's relationships with five of his six wives and starts with the his marriage to his second wife, Anne Boleyn (Merle Oberon), which ends in her execution. Henry's third wife is his mistress Jane Seymour (Wendy Barrie) who dies in childbirth. Henry then agrees to an arranged marriage to Anne of Cleves (Elsa Lanchester) that ends when she pushes him into the arms of Lady Catherine Howard (Binnie Barnes). He marries Catherine, but her affair with Henry's friend Thomas Culpepper (Robert Donat) ends in her beheading. Finally, Henry marries widowed Catherine Parr (Everley Gregg) who is determined to take care of him. An Academy Award nomination was received for Best Picture.

1933 Morning Glory       Drama N/R, 74 Minutes
Director: Lowell Sherman  
Starring: Katharine Hepburn, Adolphe Menjou, Douglas Fairbanks Jr., C. Aubrey Smith, Mary Duncan, Don Alvarado, Fred Santley, Richard Carle, Tyler Brooke, Robert Greig

 Katharine Hepburn won the Oscar for her role in this film about young actress Eva Lovelace who comes to New York City seeking fame and fortune.

1934 It Happened One Night       Comedy / Romance N/R, 105 Minutes
Director: Frank Capra  
Starring: Clark Gable, Claudette Colbert, Alan Hale, Roscoe Karns, Henry Wadsworth, Claire McDowell, Walter Connolly, Arthur Hoyt, Ward Bond, Milton Kibbee

 This movie took a clean sweep of the Academy Awards with Best Picture, Director, Actor, Actress, and Writer. It relates the romance of a news reporter (Clark Gable) who is out for a story about a spoiled rich girl (Claudette Colbert) who is on the run from her father and fiance. Of course, they fall in love. Clark Gable, "Remember me? I'm the fellow you slept on last night."