It's Hollywood's night of nights. The night the stars are all out long before the sun goes down. Dick Shoemaker is down there where the limousines are lining up. Dick?
Alan, lining up they are as the limos are waiting to open their doors to let Hollywood out. The nervous nominees, others just here to have fun. Lisa Givens is standing by the front door. Lisa?
Dick, they started arriving a full hour before the show began. Slowly at first, but as the long awaited hour finally approached, the red carpeting leading into the auditorium was solid packed with famous faces.
All your fellow workers get together and you get patted on the back.
There's something very exciting about cameras and people all dressed up, crowds, it's been a night.
David Lean called me up, asked me, said, you know, should it be a passage to what? I said India.
I'm nervous about when they say the envelope, please.
Are you nervous? Oh yeah. What are you, right?
I was nervous thinking about coming today a little bit. Yeah, you bet.
This is the 57th annual Academy Awards show and you're about to see everything you didn't see at the ceremonies last night on Entertainment Tonight.
Hello everybody. I'm Mary Hart and I'm Rob Weller Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart made music last night. Big music to the tune of eight Academy Awards. Gene Wolf has the story.
The grand sweep for Amadeus included best actor for F. Murray Abraham.
It's great. Your heart beats fast. The blood starts pumping. We're talking about the reason that I, you know, I work.
I was staring through the cage of those meticulous.
And an absolute beauty.
It also won for best makeup. After the makeup, I had complete confidence that I could be old. Thanks to Dick Smith.
Peter Schaffer screenplay adaptation of Amadeus was yet another Oscar winner. Your work is ingenious. It's quality work.
And there are simply too many notes. But the Academy thought there were just enough notes because it won for best sound.
It captured the Oscar for costume design and also was the winner for art direction.
I love this show. I love the Oscars and so it's wonderful. But it's a game and we'll celebrate tonight and not too late because tomorrow is another day, another day, another game.
Not only did Miloš Forman win for best director, it was no surprise that the eighth Oscar of the night for Amadeus was for best picture.
It was indeed a night of victory for cast and crew of Amadeus. It is a dream. Yeah, but it's certainly not the end of a dream.
I mean, you know, we go back to work tomorrow, don't we? Yeah, this is not the end. You're right.
It was for once an evening of mercifully short thank you speeches. And it was also an evening short on big emotions.
That is until Sally Field won her second best actress Oscar. The only thing I have ever wanted is to be good.
That's the bottom line. And that also involves being in films that are good because they go hand in hand.
It's been hard to have the years when you felt humiliated that you weren't doing the kind of work that you wanted to be doing.
And I allowed myself tonight to actually stand there for this moment in time and feel that this group that I wanted to have their respect for so long respected me.
What do I feel? I feel just plain out now, flat out happy.
Dame Peggy Ashcroft won the award for best supporting actress for her role in A Passage to India.
She received the news in England where she remained to attend the funeral of her good friend Sir Michael Redgrave.
The veteran actress's win was a popular one and so was the victory of a newcomer. Best supporting actor, Hang S. Noor.
Al Owens reports on the actor who won an Oscar for his film debut.
I couldn't believe that tonight I got Oscar. I couldn't believe that tonight I'm the one representing around the world Cambodian people.
Hang S. Noor's Oscar for best supporting actor in The Killing Fields was a victory that reflected his life.
Hang escaped from Cambodia himself just five years ago.
Tell my wife I love her and look after all my children.
Noor lost his family and friends during the reign of the Khmer Rouge and they were foremost in his thoughts on Oscar night.
I share this award to my sweetheart, my girlfriend, my daddy, my mom, all my whole family and all Cambodian people and all the people around the world.
Sharing in his excitement, Hang's colleagues held their own Academy Award celebration.
I just can't say how excited we are.
We'll say congratulations and I'm going to treat him to lunch.
Was I excited? God, do I look excited.
There was just one controversy at the Oscars this year and it was over the Academy's decision not to invite best original song nominee Phil Collins to perform his hit Against All Odds.
On the show itself, the song was performed by Anne Reinking.
I mean I would love to have sung the song and I'm disappointed I couldn't.
But at the same time I understand the logic behind it because it's self promotion and in the end they want a TV show that's entertaining.
The issue ended with the announcement that Stevie Wonder took the Oscar over Collins and three other nominees for his song.
I just want to say I love you.
In watching a film, even though visually I cannot see the film, listening to different sounds, connecting the different things that are happening, relating to those experiences that we've all had in our lives at some point or another, you can kind of get a basic feel, a pretty clear feeling of what's happening in the picture.
On this footnote, last night Stevie Wonder accepted his Oscar in the name of Nelson Mandela, a black nationalist leader serving a life sentence for treason and sabotage in South Africa.
Today the state owned South African Broadcasting Corporation announced Wonder would be banned from its radio and television broadcasts.
Millions watch the Oscars on ABC. What did Newsday TV critic Marvin Kitman think of it?
Usually Oscar night is the best rest I get all year, but last night the show moved right along. It was so fast I got motion sickness. I loved it. All those celebrities, the old time movie stars, the fashions, the best earrings award was won by Gregory Hines.
How could I not like a show with an elephant on stage handing up the envelope? The all new improved Better Tasting Oscars was the best Oscar show of the year. I have only 11 quibbles, Jack Lemmon and his 10 dwarfs. I missed Carson, his starch bow tie, his big mouth and his jokes. 11 of them don't add up to one Johnny.
The 57th Annual Academy Award is shared with you by the Academy of Ocean Picture Arts and Sciences. You know the East Coast is a little different than the West Coast, but we all watch the same movies.
Tickets to the ceremonies were difficult to come by, but not nearly as difficult to get as an invitation to super agent Swiftie Lazar's annual bash. But Barbara Hauer got one.
Hollywood glamour is not dead. In fact it was never more alive than at a fashionable sunset strip restaurant called Spago, replete with limos, national and international press corps, fans and celebrities.
It was a very private gathering that has become almost as much an entertainment community event as the Academy Awards ceremony. I'm not an institution, I'm just giving a party. Be that as it may, this is the 25th year that the Swiftie Lazar party has drawn as many luminaries as Oscar himself.
The Oscar and Swiftie, they're institutions. That's what this party was all about. A lot of good friends getting together who don't see each other much. I think everyone felt really close together. Why have you come here instead of to the governor's ball sir? I don't know. I don't think I was invited.
Because I'm hungry. If you're not nominated, you know, and you've done a lot of presenting like I have, at one point you just kind of like to sit around with your friends and, you know, pick everyone else apart.
When those who viewed the Academy proceedings over dinner joined forces later with many of the Oscar participants, the consensus was that the evening's real winners were the telecast and Hollywood.
I thought it was great, didn't you? I thought it was the best show they've done in years and years and the industry should be really proud of it. Barbara Hauer, Entertainment Tonight.
Bill Harris was keeping an eye on the big night from who was with whom to who the crowds of fans liked best. Bill?
Thank you Rob. At the official Oscar ball, fans said Tom Selleck got the biggest hand outside. Inside it was the one-two arrival of Sally Field and F. Murray Abraham. Selleck got less applause when he kept stepping on his date's dress as they entered.
Lloyd Bridges admitted he'd hoped the Amadeus vote might split and let his son Jeff win best actor. But he still said put me down as one proud papa.
Adolf Caesar and his wife were the smoothest celebrity dancers according to some band members, but absolutely no one could beat Pam and Gregory Hines at the Cha Cha. The odd couple of the evening, Eva Gabor and Hugh O'Brien.
One Beverly Hills cop saved Ray Parker Jr. from being hit by a limo outside the Beverly Hilton Hotel. Ron Howard confessed it was the first Oscars he'd ever attended.
The young director told us with a smile quote, I'd still like to make it a regular thing. And speaking of quotes, Faye Dunaway was asked before the show if she still gets starstruck at these events.
She told her own Lisa Gibbons, positively not. Well I positively do. Thanks Academy. Bill Harris, Inside Entertainment, we'll talk again. Mary?
I do too Bill. Subject number one, who won what? Subject number two, who wore what? Falcon Crest's Anna Alicia turned out in all of her finest and reports on Oscar fashions.
It wasn't flash. There weren't many sequins and there weren't a lot of beads. This was the year that the most glittering gown was worn by? France.
There was lots of basic black. Some of it adorned, much of it not. Sally Field, demure, sweet and winning. Jennifer Beals, draped in Norma Kamali and Soleil Moon Fry.
Andy gave me this jacket and I bought the rest and I just couldn't get it. Others chose more traditional designers.
It's an Ungaro, how'd you get here? It's Bob Mackie. My dress is by Gianni Versace and that's what I can tell you and I love it.
Extremes in taste ranged from Judy Davis as a punk suffragette to Apollonia as Apollonia.
As for Entertainment Tonight's choice, the best dressed and mine, the winner is Diana Ross. For Entertainment Tonight, I'm Anna Alicia.
Another critical appraisal of the Oscar show, this one from the Chicago Tribune television critic Marilyn Preston.
Something was clearly missing from the Oscars last night. Tastelessness, stupidity, Joan Collins. Yes, 57 was one of the slickest, smartest shows yet.
So what if Laurence Olivier blew his lines or Sally Fields blew her cool? You like me? Please Sally.
It's hard not to like this low fat, high tone version of Oscar. There were lots of clips, very little mindless chatter and several gods including Jimmy Stewart and Buddha were invoked.
Some behaved like saints including Prince who came as Mary Magdalene. There were no streakers, no dopers, no politics, not a blessed word about yuppies.
And all my favorites won. I guess what's missing is my usual extreme irritation. So why is it somehow better when it's badder?
I'm here because there's lots of color TVs around and I don't have a color TV so that makes it enjoyable too.
I kind of like the costumes but going close and it was like this fungus and it was like moving and I couldn't see the back of her because the telecast didn't permit me to see the back of her.
But I was like wondering where it went. Best Supporting Actor nominee Adolf Caesar began Oscar Day with a shave and some Shakespeare and kept right on going.
Scott Osborne was there with him.
Soft you. A word or two before you go. I have done the States some service. They know it.
With a line from Othello, Adolf Caesar prepared for Oscar. As to peace in our times, a piece of Oscar.
But not before a brief bit of fortification with friends. Of course, wife Diane Caesar was attending to more complicated preparations.
I think you're wonderful. Thank you. The Caesars invited Adolf's brother Herbert and his wife Thelma to join them at the festivities.
You like success kid? Beautiful. But even success has its more mundane demands. I can't find my damn drawers. I mean nothing's wrong with me at all.
Where's my drink? It is now five minutes to four. We are ten minutes behind schedule. I was going to put it in my pocket.
And the inevitable last minute ticket crisis. All right. But let's get going please.
Then the longest miles of all, the limousines lurch through Los Angeles traffic. When this actor's mind turns back to the safety of familiar lines.
Blake a safe on second and Flynn a hug in third. Now a big step. Under the red carpet, Hollywood rolls out for the chosen few.
You know, it's kind of like in a dream world. You know, it's not really real. But I'm enjoying it. And I think I'll get over it.
Get over it he must, for this was not Caesar's triumph. And at the end of the gala evening, the veteran actor recalled Hamlet.
How all occasions do inform against me and spur my dull revenge. Scott Osborne, Entertainment Tonight.
Alas, the place for drowning sorrows as well as celebrating is the annual Governor's Ball. Alan Arthur has more.
The Governor's Ball is the Academy's way of saying thanks to its members. It's also a party meant to celebrate the winners and console the losers.
There's no consolation necessary. I mean, one of five is not a bad way. Am I going to console myself at all? What do you mean?
Well, I mean, you didn't win. I know I didn't, but it gives me something to look forward to, doesn't it?
I feel like I'm a winner for being nominated. Yeah, that's a terrific honor. I can't say that. I'm not disappointed that we didn't win something.
But we have some good things to shout about. I'm sorry we didn't get the best picture, but there you go. Obviously the best film won.
For one of the show's producers, the most important picture of the night was on the small screen. Is Gregory Peck pleased with the way his telecast went?
Yes, I am. Yes. I think we cut about 35 or 40 minutes out of it, which no one missed, I'm sure. I like the entertainment. I like the personalities.
I think the awards were well distributed. I hope everybody's happy.
Last night's Oscar telecast on ABC got a nine-mark at overnight Nielsen average of 33.2 with a 52 percent share of the audience.
Well, we've heard from TV critics in the East and Midwest. Now here's the view of Los Angeles Times TV critic Howard Rosenberg.
They've done it. They've ruined the Oscars. They brought in Gregory Peck and other biggies to streamline a telecast that lasted up to four hours in the past.
Good production numbers, tighter acceptance speeches, no silly bantering by the presenters. I knew something was wrong when after the first hour I was still awake.
So what if the show was shorter and perfect except for Kirk Douglas' crooked bow tie? Where was the spontaneity of live TV? Where were all the goofs you loved to hate?
The Oscars are supposed to be long and boring. If they're not, then there's nothing to gripe about. In the old days we could count on someone coming out and explaining the Oscar voting.
That was our cue to throw popcorn to the TV set. But now they've changed even that. It's unethical to tamper with failure. They've ruined the Oscars by making them good, and I'm really mad about it.
The Tillersfields and Watergate.
I love your talk today.
That's going to be a good name.
There's three great words in this one.
The winner of the dance, Murray Abrams.
For my next year party I've decided I'm going to provide cots with pillows and blankets so that when you get to the boring parts you can take little naps and stay awake for the best picture.
The Academy Awards means a lot, especially in terms of prestige. Here's Leonard Malton with a commentary and a word about what means more than an Oscar.
Money. That's the way people vote, and last week they voted for Friday the 13th Part 5 and Porky's Revenge, the two top-grossing movies in the country.
We won't see the likes of them at next year's Academy Awards, and thank goodness.
Still, last night I sure wish the Killing Fields had won instead of Amadeus, and I'm sticking to my guns. Peter Schaffer's play was better than Peter Schaffer's screenplay.
Still, I don't want to complain too much. Any ceremony where Cary Grant gives an Oscar to Jimmy Stewart can't be all bad.
I just hope there are people like that at the Oscars 40 years from now, the kind of actors who win our love, not just our respect.
They're the people who put the magic in movies and the Academy Awards. I'm Leonard Malton. Entertainment tonight.
It was business as usual this morning in Hollywood, the land of lights, camera, lunch, and call your agent.
It was also business as usual for Hang S. Noor, but it certainly wasn't show business.
Noor showed up at the Chinatown Service Center in Los Angeles at the same time he always arrives, but to a bit more fanfare than usual.
Let me see. Beautiful. Didn't I tell you? Noor works here as an employment counselor, but maybe needing some job advice himself.
Right now, I keep looking over here first. But if possible, some agency or some agent or some company asks me to do some role next, I don't know.
But if I got no role, yes, I play Noor. I was thrilled that he won last night, but boy, it's going to be tough to follow up with an equal role.
Show business is in his blood. Or at least Oscar. Yeah, Oscar's in his blood. Can he do it again? Twice.
Tomorrow on Entertainment Tonight, at home with CBS sportscaster Brent Musburger, on location with Jeannie Francis, and we'll have more on Nightline's visit to South Africa.
And later on in the week, we're going to have the broadcast premiere of Canada's video to aid the hungry in Africa, Tears Are Not Enough.
Thanks for joining us today. We'll see you tomorrow. Bye bye.
For an hour of late night comedy, be watching Channel 6 tonight at 1130 for WKRP in Cincinnati. Then at 12 midnight, it's the Benny Hill Show. Now stay with us. Family Feud is next.