Oscar History

Also nominated for Best Picture in 1930 was Robert Z. Leonard’s The Divorcee, which had four nominations for that year, and one win for Best Actress for Norma Shearer in the role of Jerry. The same year, Shearer was also nominated for Best Actress for the role of Lally in Their Own Desire.

Oscar History

Alfred E. Green’s Disraeli was another Best Picture nominee of 1930, with three nominations and one win for Best Actor for George Arliss, the first British actor to win the award. This was Arliss’ third performance as the Prime Minister of England, having played the character on stage in 1911 and in a silent film

Oscar History

Runner up for Best Picture of 1930 was The Big House, nominated for 4 awards and winning 2: for Best Writing Achievement and Best Sound Recording.

Oscar History: 1930

Director Lewis Milestone’s controversial film All Quiet On the Western Front won two major awards: Best Picture and Best Director.  This was the first time that a film’s director was also awarded the Best Director as well as the Best Picture win.

Oscar History

In Old Arizona was one of four runner-ups for Best Picture of 1929.  In 1929, several of the first year’s awards were dropped, leaving only seven categories for film: Best Production/Picture Best Director Best Writing Best Cinematography Best Art Direction Best Actor Best Actress. The dropped categories were:  Title Writing Engineering Effects Best Unique and

Oscar History: 1929

The Hollywood Revue of 1929 was one of the four runner-ups for the Best Picture award of 1929.  Also in 1929, sound films became eligible for all categories. 

Oscar History: 1929

The Alibi was one of four runner-ups to the Best Picture win that went to The Broadway Melody.  The fourth of these runner-ups, The Patriot, is lost. 

Oscar History: 1929

In order to establish a standard period of time between awards, two ceremonies were held in the same year, the only time in history.  Sound films officially became eligible for all categories.  The Broadway Melody became the first sound film to win Best Picture.

Oscar History: 1927

7th Heaven was one of the two nominees (runner ups) behind Wings at the 1929 Oscar ceremony that lost the award to Wings.  Also considered were The Way of All Flesh and The Last Command.

Oscar History: 1927

The Racket was one of the two nominees (runner ups) behind Wings at the 1929 Oscar ceremony that lost the award to Wings.