8. The Big Four
In 2007, Martin Scorsese finally received his first Oscar for directing The Departed. His contemporary friends Steven Spielberg, George Lucas and Francis Ford Coppola passed him the trophy. These four were pillars of American cinema in the 1970s.
9. Roberto Benigni Goes Wild
In 1999, Italian comedian and director Roberto Benigni stole the show of Oscar. After hearing his name announced by Sophia Loren, he went “crazy” and jumped up to the front seat to celebrate. The lack of logic in his acceptance speech did not stop our love for him.
10. Charlie Chaplin Receiving an Honorary Oscar
In 1972, the Academy finally awarded one of the greatest comedy actors and directors of all time, Charlie Chaplin, an Oscar after his twenty-year exile. It was a 12-minute standing ovation which still remains an unbroken record.
11. Woody Allen’s Talk Show
Woody Allen has been nominated for Best Original Screenplay or Best Director in 15 films, but he had never appeared on Oscar stage in such occasions, even when his Annie Hall won 4 major awards that year. However, there was one exception. That was in 2012, Woody Allen was invited by the Academy to introduce “Love Letter to New York in the Movies” video after the 9/11 terrorism attack. His “talk show” reminded us: wouldn’t he over-qualify as an Oscar host?
12. Bob Dylan Wins An Oscar
In 2001, the legendary music artist Bob Dylan won the Best Song Oscar for his song “Things Have Changed” from “Wonder Boys”. He was not able to be there due to a concert tour, but performed the song through satellite TV.
13. Ennio Morricone Receiving an Honorary Oscar
Though nominated five times, Italian composer Ennio Morricone had never won an Oscar before 2009. The Academy invited Clint Eastwood, who cemented his status in Sergio Leone’s Dollars trilogy(composed by Morricone), to present this award. When he appeared on the stage with the classic music score, we were brought back to the good old West. After the master’s acceptance speech, one of his biggest fan, Celine Dion, sang “I knew I loved you” adapted from “Once Upon a Time in America” main theme.
14. The Superman Arrives
In 1996, the paralyzed Christopher Reeve appeared on wheelchair to introduce a film montage recognizing how Hollywood has tackled social issues. He was a real hero.
15. American Indian Girl
In 1973, an American Indian girl Sacheen Littlefeather refused to accept the Best Actor Oscar on behalf of Marlon Brando for his performance in “The Godfather”, to protest against the unfair treatment that native Indians received in America. Roger Moore, the presenter, wanted to give the statue back to the Academy, but was refused again. The whereabouts of the statue remained a mystery.