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50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins
An exclusive look behind the scenes of the Academy Awards as top stars and filmmakers discuss their Oscar wins and tell never-before-told tales of Hollywood’s biggest night, in a collection of original interviews with Turner Classic Movies host and entertainment media journalist Dave Karger.
For almost a century, movie fans have been riveted by the Academy Awards and the stars who have won Oscars. 50 Oscar Nights takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most storied awards show through new and exclusive interviews with dozens of A-list actors, filmmakers, and craftspeople spanning sixty years of the Oscars. Here these artists reflect on their winning work and recount all the details of how they got ready, how they felt when they heard their name and got up on stage to accept their award, what they wore, how the entire experience impacted their life, and more.
Some interviews bring to light fun stories like why Hilary Swank decided to celebrate her Academy Award at the Astro Burger in West Hollywood, or insight into the work as Elton John explains why he was convinced he won his Best Original Song award for the wrong tune. Other interviews illuminate why for some honorees, such as Julia Roberts, John Legend, and Octavia Spencer, the day remains a life highlight to be treasured, while for Marlee Matlin, Mira Sorvino, and Barry Jenkins, complex emotions cloud what most think would be a purely celebratory moment.
Filled with more than 150 photos of red-carpet moments, emotional acceptances, and after-party play, 50 Oscar Nights is both a stunning record of cinema glamour and a must-read for any movie lover.
Full list of interviewees: Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Barry Jenkins, Halle Berry, J. K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Martin Scorsese, Marlee Matlin, Dustin Hoffman, Hannah Beachler, Cameron Crowe, Mira Sorvino, Kevin O’Connell, Sally Field, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Grant, Louis Gossett Jr., Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Yu, Michael Douglas, Catherine Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, Allison Janney, Mel Brooks, Emma Thompson, Peter Jackson, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Bridges, Sofia Coppola, Joel Grey, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Olivia Colman, Rob Epstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, Melissa Etheridge, Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine, Estelle Parsons, Geoffrey Fletcher, Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin, Meryl Streep
For almost a century, movie fans have been riveted by the Academy Awards and the stars who have won Oscars. 50 Oscar Nights takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most storied awards show through new and exclusive interviews with dozens of A-list actors, filmmakers, and craftspeople spanning sixty years of the Oscars. Here these artists reflect on their winning work and recount all the details of how they got ready, how they felt when they heard their name and got up on stage to accept their award, what they wore, how the entire experience impacted their life, and more.
Some interviews bring to light fun stories like why Hilary Swank decided to celebrate her Academy Award at the Astro Burger in West Hollywood, or insight into the work as Elton John explains why he was convinced he won his Best Original Song award for the wrong tune. Other interviews illuminate why for some honorees, such as Julia Roberts, John Legend, and Octavia Spencer, the day remains a life highlight to be treasured, while for Marlee Matlin, Mira Sorvino, and Barry Jenkins, complex emotions cloud what most think would be a purely celebratory moment.
Filled with more than 150 photos of red-carpet moments, emotional acceptances, and after-party play, 50 Oscar Nights is both a stunning record of cinema glamour and a must-read for any movie lover.
Full list of interviewees: Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Barry Jenkins, Halle Berry, J. K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Martin Scorsese, Marlee Matlin, Dustin Hoffman, Hannah Beachler, Cameron Crowe, Mira Sorvino, Kevin O’Connell, Sally Field, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Grant, Louis Gossett Jr., Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Yu, Michael Douglas, Catherine Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, Allison Janney, Mel Brooks, Emma Thompson, Peter Jackson, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Bridges, Sofia Coppola, Joel Grey, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Olivia Colman, Rob Epstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, Melissa Etheridge, Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine, Estelle Parsons, Geoffrey Fletcher, Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin, Meryl Streep
264 pages, Hardcover
First published January 23, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 87 reviews
September 24, 2024
Excellent. RTC.
January 30, 2024
I loved this book by my cousin, Dave Karger. It has interviews & beautiful photos of some of the greatest people in the movie industry. I loved all the answers to Where The Oscar Lives Now!
March 17, 2024
If you are a Movie Buff and the Oscar's are your favorite TV night of the year, then you need to read this book. I couldn't put it down.
October 19, 2025
Movies have been my religion all my life. My parents took me to see "The Robe" when I was 5 years old, and when Richard Burton and Jean Simmons ascend into a clouded approximation of Heaven at the end of the movie, as Alfred Newman's music soars on the soundtrack, I turned to my dad and asked him where are they going? I honest to God remember saying that 70 years later. He really didn't have an answer for that. Three years later I had a crush on Anne Baxter, after we saw "The Ten Commandments." But it was seeing "Ben-Hur," on a 6th grade field trip to the Coronet Theater in San Francisco, that sealed my movie infatuation forever.
So, needless to say, Dave Karger's wonderful tribute to The Greatest Show on Earth, the Oscars, was a joy to read. For me, the Oscar telecast is my Christmas, and this book is the ultimate Christmas present. We place movie stars on some sort of pedestal, but they are as human as you and me, full of anxiety on the movies' biggest night. I love that Karger includes not only heavyweight Oscar winners like Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Clint Eastwood in his interviews, but the talented screenwriters, costume designers, sound designers and art directors who make movie magic.
The book is full of marvelous memories, like Sally Field getting late to the Spago celebratory Oscar party, after she'd won the Best Actress Oscar for Norma Rae, after almost everyone had left, but being invited by Cary Grant to spend the rest of the evening with him and Audrey Hepburn. Francis Ford Coppola recounts the time he lost the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for "The Godfather Part II" to Robert Towne, who won the award for "Chinatown." Two years earlier Coppola was distraught that no one thought the original "Godfather" was any good. He showed the film to Towne, who told him "It's great, that Marlon Brando is great in it, but it needs one thing. It needs a scene between Brando and Pacino, where they just talk about what their expectations of one another were." Coppola asked Towne if he would write it. Towne said "Sure, if you want me to." Towne, who was a great screenwriter, and had a reputation for being a "script doctor" in Hollywood, wrote that scene, and when Coppola won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, he credited Towne in his acceptance speech for writing that wonderful scene.
Some stories are contentious. Bob Fosse did not want Joel Grey to reprise his Tony-winning Broadway role of the M.C. in "Cabaret" in the movie, for which Grey won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. I could go on and on, but this is a book that any true movie lover should discover on their own.
So, needless to say, Dave Karger's wonderful tribute to The Greatest Show on Earth, the Oscars, was a joy to read. For me, the Oscar telecast is my Christmas, and this book is the ultimate Christmas present. We place movie stars on some sort of pedestal, but they are as human as you and me, full of anxiety on the movies' biggest night. I love that Karger includes not only heavyweight Oscar winners like Meryl Streep, Steven Spielberg, Martin Scorsese, Francis Ford Coppola and Clint Eastwood in his interviews, but the talented screenwriters, costume designers, sound designers and art directors who make movie magic.
The book is full of marvelous memories, like Sally Field getting late to the Spago celebratory Oscar party, after she'd won the Best Actress Oscar for Norma Rae, after almost everyone had left, but being invited by Cary Grant to spend the rest of the evening with him and Audrey Hepburn. Francis Ford Coppola recounts the time he lost the Best Original Screenplay Oscar for "The Godfather Part II" to Robert Towne, who won the award for "Chinatown." Two years earlier Coppola was distraught that no one thought the original "Godfather" was any good. He showed the film to Towne, who told him "It's great, that Marlon Brando is great in it, but it needs one thing. It needs a scene between Brando and Pacino, where they just talk about what their expectations of one another were." Coppola asked Towne if he would write it. Towne said "Sure, if you want me to." Towne, who was a great screenwriter, and had a reputation for being a "script doctor" in Hollywood, wrote that scene, and when Coppola won the Oscar for Best Adapted Screenplay, he credited Towne in his acceptance speech for writing that wonderful scene.
Some stories are contentious. Bob Fosse did not want Joel Grey to reprise his Tony-winning Broadway role of the M.C. in "Cabaret" in the movie, for which Grey won the Oscar for Best Supporting Actor. I could go on and on, but this is a book that any true movie lover should discover on their own.
February 21, 2024
A great read for Oscar season! Lots of photos. I liked how each chapter was written in first person from the Oscar winner’s perspective, big stars and unknowns alike. I loved learning where they all keep their awards. Not comprehensive, just snippets from 50 different Oscar nights.
February 19, 2024
This is a book I came into the know about purely by chance a short time ago. I happened to listening to a podcast one day in which the book's author, Dave Karger, was interviewed about his life and career as a student of film, journalist, and movie critic. I was so taken in with the interview. So, when it was mentioned that Karger had a book newly published - 50 OSCAR NIGHTS: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins , I did a search on the local library's website and VOILA! - the library had a copy of the book available. I then put in a request and within days, the book was in the library for me to pick up and read.
And what a delight - as well as revelation - this book was to read. It soon became clear that Karger is not only a first-rate interviewer, he gives each Oscar winner the space and time to share with readers his/her feelings and experiences surrounding him/her receiving an Oscar nomination and then winning an Oscar and its immediate impact on his/her life and career- be it for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score or Song, or Best Costume Design.
One of the interviews in the book that stands out for me is the interview with Sally Field in which she talks about how she ended up making "Norma Rae", the movie that helped to establish and solidify her status as a major star. She said that the role had been offered to 5 major actresses before she was offered the role by the director Martin Ritt. All 5 of those actresses turned it down. Field also said that the studio really didn't want her for the role. But Martin Ritt said that he believed in her and would fight the studio to ensure that she got the role. And the rest, as they say, is History. Sally Field is someone I have always liked. From watching "The Flying Nun" as a child in the early 1970s and on to the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, I've always found her likeable. It's hard to explain. Sometimes you take an instant liking to people and it grows over time. Besides, I've seen Sally Field in several movies from "Mrs. Doubtfire" to recently, "80 for Brady." She's good - and a solid, believable actress.
50 OSCAR NIGHTS is a book I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who loves movies. Period.
And what a delight - as well as revelation - this book was to read. It soon became clear that Karger is not only a first-rate interviewer, he gives each Oscar winner the space and time to share with readers his/her feelings and experiences surrounding him/her receiving an Oscar nomination and then winning an Oscar and its immediate impact on his/her life and career- be it for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score or Song, or Best Costume Design.
One of the interviews in the book that stands out for me is the interview with Sally Field in which she talks about how she ended up making "Norma Rae", the movie that helped to establish and solidify her status as a major star. She said that the role had been offered to 5 major actresses before she was offered the role by the director Martin Ritt. All 5 of those actresses turned it down. Field also said that the studio really didn't want her for the role. But Martin Ritt said that he believed in her and would fight the studio to ensure that she got the role. And the rest, as they say, is History. Sally Field is someone I have always liked. From watching "The Flying Nun" as a child in the early 1970s and on to the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, I've always found her likeable. It's hard to explain. Sometimes you take an instant liking to people and it grows over time. Besides, I've seen Sally Field in several movies from "Mrs. Doubtfire" to recently, "80 for Brady." She's good - and a solid, believable actress.
50 OSCAR NIGHTS is a book I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who loves movies. Period.
May 26, 2024
This is just fun, and memory-filled. And it also makes you realize all these folks really are people just like you, in a way. Big fears, dreams, embarrassing moments, families.
February 16, 2024
Anyone who considers themselves an Academy Awards or film fan must read this book from TCM's Dave Karger!
June 12, 2024
Karger interviews 50 Oscar winners about their big night. There's a good mix of subjects: recent and historical; young and old; actors, directors, writers, musicians, other creators. Each chapter or story is divided into short sections like The Backstory, The Production, The Look, The Speech, The Celebration, The Aftermath, The Perspective. Movie buffs and even casual Oscars watchers will really enjoy these behind-the-scenes glimpses into the film industry's biggest night.
January 15, 2024
Fun, original, and beautiful! Perfect to read during awards season, and find out the behind the scenes moments and feelings among a diverse range of Oscar winners. This one is a winner!
February 26, 2024
3.5 stars Fun to read this just weeks before the Oscars. Because these are contemporary interviews, there are only a few older winners. TCM host Dave Karger has talked with 50 Oscar winners, not all actors, about what they were feeling before the ceremony and upon winning, what they thought of the parties, and how it changed their lives. The final question for all is where their Oscar now resides and the answers are great fun.
I loved how pre-1980s the women did their own hair and make-up and bought the dress at a local department store or even made their own dresses! Now you need to have a stylist as well as hair and make-up people. Olivia Colman told her gown designer she would lose weight before Oscar night and the designer told her yes, she needed to do so!
Some favorite moments: Many winners talk about almost blacking out and forgetting to thank spouses. Meryl Streep forgot to thank the producer in her Sophie’s Choice win and he swore at her! Hilary Swank said after her Boys Don’t Cry win, she didn’t make enough to get insurance through SAG and couldn’t afford medication. When Cameron Crowe went up to claim his screenplay Oscar for Almost Famous, he must have looked a little panic. He said Tom Hanks, the presenter, said to him “This is going to go really, really well.” and that allowed him to calm down and focus.
I loved how pre-1980s the women did their own hair and make-up and bought the dress at a local department store or even made their own dresses! Now you need to have a stylist as well as hair and make-up people. Olivia Colman told her gown designer she would lose weight before Oscar night and the designer told her yes, she needed to do so!
Some favorite moments: Many winners talk about almost blacking out and forgetting to thank spouses. Meryl Streep forgot to thank the producer in her Sophie’s Choice win and he swore at her! Hilary Swank said after her Boys Don’t Cry win, she didn’t make enough to get insurance through SAG and couldn’t afford medication. When Cameron Crowe went up to claim his screenplay Oscar for Almost Famous, he must have looked a little panic. He said Tom Hanks, the presenter, said to him “This is going to go really, really well.” and that allowed him to calm down and focus.
May 15, 2024
If you like to read about actors and actresses, fashion, the Oscars, or the movie industry, you will like this book. The information is coming from the actor or actress, so it's first-hand, and the stories behind the movies, clothes, and wins were very interesting and entertaining.
Book Description:
An exclusive look behind the scenes of the Academy Awards as top stars and filmmakers discuss their Oscar wins and tell never-before-told tales of Hollywood's biggest night, in a collection of original interviews with Turner Classic Movies host and entertainment media journalist Dave Karger.
For almost a century, movie fans have been riveted by the Academy Awards and the stars who have won Oscars. 50 Oscar Nights takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most storied awards show through new and exclusive interviews with dozens of A-list actors, filmmakers, and craftspeople spanning sixty years of the Oscars. Here these artists reflect on their winning work and recount all the details of how they got ready, how they felt when they heard their name and got up on stage to accept their award, what they wore, how the entire experience impacted their life, and more.
Some interviews bring to light fun stories like why Hilary Swank decided to celebrate her Academy Award at the Astro Burger in West Hollywood, or insight into the work as Elton John explains why he was convinced he won his Best Original Song award for the wrong tune. Other interviews illuminate why for some honorees, such as Julia Roberts, John Legend, and Octavia Spencer, the day remains a life highlight to be treasured, while for Marlee Matlin, Mira Sorvino, and Barry Jenkins, complex emotions cloud what most think would be a purely celebratory moment.
Filled with more than 150 photos of red-carpet moments, emotional acceptances, and after-party play, 50 Oscar Nights is both a stunning record of cinema glamour and a must-read for any movie lover.
Full list of interviewees: Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Barry Jenkins, Halle Berry, J. K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Martin Scorsese, Marlee Matlin, Dustin Hoffman, Hannah Beachler, Cameron Crowe, Mira Sorvino, Kevin O’Connell, Sally Field, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Grant, Louis Gossett Jr., Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Yu, Michael Douglas, Catherine Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, Allison Janney, Mel Brooks, Emma Thompson, Peter Jackson, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Bridges, Sofia Coppola, Joel Grey, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Olivia Colman, Rob Epstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, Melissa Etheridge, Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine, Estelle Parsons, Geoffrey Fletcher, Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin, Meryl Streep
Book Description:
An exclusive look behind the scenes of the Academy Awards as top stars and filmmakers discuss their Oscar wins and tell never-before-told tales of Hollywood's biggest night, in a collection of original interviews with Turner Classic Movies host and entertainment media journalist Dave Karger.
For almost a century, movie fans have been riveted by the Academy Awards and the stars who have won Oscars. 50 Oscar Nights takes readers behind the scenes of Hollywood’s most storied awards show through new and exclusive interviews with dozens of A-list actors, filmmakers, and craftspeople spanning sixty years of the Oscars. Here these artists reflect on their winning work and recount all the details of how they got ready, how they felt when they heard their name and got up on stage to accept their award, what they wore, how the entire experience impacted their life, and more.
Some interviews bring to light fun stories like why Hilary Swank decided to celebrate her Academy Award at the Astro Burger in West Hollywood, or insight into the work as Elton John explains why he was convinced he won his Best Original Song award for the wrong tune. Other interviews illuminate why for some honorees, such as Julia Roberts, John Legend, and Octavia Spencer, the day remains a life highlight to be treasured, while for Marlee Matlin, Mira Sorvino, and Barry Jenkins, complex emotions cloud what most think would be a purely celebratory moment.
Filled with more than 150 photos of red-carpet moments, emotional acceptances, and after-party play, 50 Oscar Nights is both a stunning record of cinema glamour and a must-read for any movie lover.
Full list of interviewees: Nicole Kidman, Elton John, Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg, Jane Fonda, Barry Jenkins, Halle Berry, J. K. Simmons, Julia Roberts, John Legend, Rita Moreno, Martin Scorsese, Marlee Matlin, Dustin Hoffman, Hannah Beachler, Cameron Crowe, Mira Sorvino, Kevin O’Connell, Sally Field, Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez, Eddie Redmayne, Lee Grant, Louis Gossett Jr., Hilary Swank, Clint Eastwood, Jessica Yu, Michael Douglas, Catherine Martin, Francis Ford Coppola, Allison Janney, Mel Brooks, Emma Thompson, Peter Jackson, Marcia Gay Harden, Mark Bridges, Sofia Coppola, Joel Grey, Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová, Olivia Colman, Rob Epstein, Whoopi Goldberg, Alan Menken, Melissa Etheridge, Sissy Spacek, Keith Carradine, Estelle Parsons, Geoffrey Fletcher, Octavia Spencer, Aaron Sorkin, Meryl Streep
February 17, 2024
Karger, Dave. 50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars and Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins. New York, NY: Hatchette Book Group, 2024.
This delightful book spotlights 50 actors, actresses, directors, costume designers, sound people, cinematographers, artists, screenwriters, editors, etc. who have won Academy Awards.
The book is so easy to read. Each section describes a winner's reaction to the atmosphere, the look, that is, a description of what he/she wore to the gala, the moment his/her name was called, the speech, the celebration, the perspective, and the location of the Oscar.
Marlie Matlin was the youngest Best Actress winner in the history of the Academy Awards. She was experiencing much turmoil at this point in her life. She was in the throes of cocaine addiction and was going to go to the Betty Ford clinic after the Oscars, and her two-year romance with William Hurt was ending. She was the first deaf woman to win an Academy Award and the youngest recipient for an Oscar for Best Actress. William Hurt was jealous of her award, "What makes you think you deserve it (the Oscar)? A lot of people work a long time, especially the ones you were nominated with, for a lot of years to get what you got with one film." Hurt was not happy for her. He had been nominated and had not won that night.
Most of the winners did not expect to win, and many felt it was bad luck to even consider winning or to prepare a speech. Meryl Streep was six months pregnant and went to the basement sales rack at Saks to get her beaded Indian dress which she had to wear backwards to cover her belly with the little train.
This is a book that is divided by the recipients, so you can start and stop where you like and take as long as you want without losing the thread of the book.
This delightful book spotlights 50 actors, actresses, directors, costume designers, sound people, cinematographers, artists, screenwriters, editors, etc. who have won Academy Awards.
The book is so easy to read. Each section describes a winner's reaction to the atmosphere, the look, that is, a description of what he/she wore to the gala, the moment his/her name was called, the speech, the celebration, the perspective, and the location of the Oscar.
Marlie Matlin was the youngest Best Actress winner in the history of the Academy Awards. She was experiencing much turmoil at this point in her life. She was in the throes of cocaine addiction and was going to go to the Betty Ford clinic after the Oscars, and her two-year romance with William Hurt was ending. She was the first deaf woman to win an Academy Award and the youngest recipient for an Oscar for Best Actress. William Hurt was jealous of her award, "What makes you think you deserve it (the Oscar)? A lot of people work a long time, especially the ones you were nominated with, for a lot of years to get what you got with one film." Hurt was not happy for her. He had been nominated and had not won that night.
Most of the winners did not expect to win, and many felt it was bad luck to even consider winning or to prepare a speech. Meryl Streep was six months pregnant and went to the basement sales rack at Saks to get her beaded Indian dress which she had to wear backwards to cover her belly with the little train.
This is a book that is divided by the recipients, so you can start and stop where you like and take as long as you want without losing the thread of the book.
April 25, 2024
This hefty tome was very interesting and kept me enthralled for more than a week.
Each entry covers a photo of the winner accepting the award, either the backstory or the atmosphere, the look (what the winner wore,) the speech, the celebration(s), the perspective, and where Oscar lives now.
I enjoyed that last section the most. I was surprised how many of the winners put their Oscar in a box in the back of a closet before finally putting on a bookcase or mantle. Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson have six Oscars and keep them in their office. To make them seem less ostentatious, Fran gave them each a name and stuck the names on them with pieces of Post-it notes.
In his article, Peter tells that his kids were watching on live TV from their home in New Zealand. Over and over, "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was announced as winning, but, when it came to best picture, Steven Spielberg, instead of announcing the movie, said, "It's a clean sweep." Their son began crying because he thought a picture called, "It's a Clean Sweep" had won.
The book is full of such stories. It would make great bathroom reading because the section on each actor, songwriter, etc. is only three or four pages long; if only it weren't so darn heavy!
One thing I can't figure out. Dave Karger did not organize the people in his book either chronologically or alphabetically. Wherever the reader opens the book, they will find an interesting story, but the interviews stretch from 1962 to 2019. Wouldn't it have been easier on everyone to order them in some way?
One last thing. Karger put every single movie title in italics, instead of quotation marks. If he has seen as many movies as he said he has, he should know better.
Each entry covers a photo of the winner accepting the award, either the backstory or the atmosphere, the look (what the winner wore,) the speech, the celebration(s), the perspective, and where Oscar lives now.
I enjoyed that last section the most. I was surprised how many of the winners put their Oscar in a box in the back of a closet before finally putting on a bookcase or mantle. Fran Walsh and Peter Jackson have six Oscars and keep them in their office. To make them seem less ostentatious, Fran gave them each a name and stuck the names on them with pieces of Post-it notes.
In his article, Peter tells that his kids were watching on live TV from their home in New Zealand. Over and over, "Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King" was announced as winning, but, when it came to best picture, Steven Spielberg, instead of announcing the movie, said, "It's a clean sweep." Their son began crying because he thought a picture called, "It's a Clean Sweep" had won.
The book is full of such stories. It would make great bathroom reading because the section on each actor, songwriter, etc. is only three or four pages long; if only it weren't so darn heavy!
One thing I can't figure out. Dave Karger did not organize the people in his book either chronologically or alphabetically. Wherever the reader opens the book, they will find an interesting story, but the interviews stretch from 1962 to 2019. Wouldn't it have been easier on everyone to order them in some way?
One last thing. Karger put every single movie title in italics, instead of quotation marks. If he has seen as many movies as he said he has, he should know better.
May 8, 2024
A more thoughtful and thought-provoking read than expected.
Interesting to find out that most movie people (on both sides of the camera) feel less deserving and less entitled than all those lazy and/or angry critics of the entertainment industry and its awards shows like to declaim via online comment boards.
Sure, there are plenty of actors who enjoy and exploit their celebrity status to compensate for private insecurities and inadequacies, but they treat the approval of their peers seriously, entirely in the same way that any "regular person" receives criticism and praise from their own managers and colleagues.
Also, interesting to see how many people have a piano, easily one of the most common places to keep an Oscar.
Another striking commonality among *female* Academy Award winners: how often their achievements have been questioned or undermined by men, whether the latter are their co-stars or collaborators or romantic partners.
(Relatedly, perhaps not a shock to learn that Ed Harris and Patrick Swayze >>> William Hurt and Burt Reynolds.)
Apropos of nothing: kudos to the author for casting a wide net, reaching far behind the scenes, and providing readers with a range of experiences far more diverse and inclusive than the Oscars themselves or the entertainment industry as a whole. (Yes, even today.)
"Why do [we care about] the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil? Because art is important."
Interesting to find out that most movie people (on both sides of the camera) feel less deserving and less entitled than all those lazy and/or angry critics of the entertainment industry and its awards shows like to declaim via online comment boards.
Sure, there are plenty of actors who enjoy and exploit their celebrity status to compensate for private insecurities and inadequacies, but they treat the approval of their peers seriously, entirely in the same way that any "regular person" receives criticism and praise from their own managers and colleagues.
Also, interesting to see how many people have a piano, easily one of the most common places to keep an Oscar.
Another striking commonality among *female* Academy Award winners: how often their achievements have been questioned or undermined by men, whether the latter are their co-stars or collaborators or romantic partners.
(Relatedly, perhaps not a shock to learn that Ed Harris and Patrick Swayze >>> William Hurt and Burt Reynolds.)
Apropos of nothing: kudos to the author for casting a wide net, reaching far behind the scenes, and providing readers with a range of experiences far more diverse and inclusive than the Oscars themselves or the entertainment industry as a whole. (Yes, even today.)
"Why do [we care about] the Academy Awards when the world is in such turmoil? Because art is important."
March 19, 2024
50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on their Career Defining Wins by Dave Karger is a 2024 Running Press publication.
This is a quick read recapping Oscar wins over the years in various categories- actresses, screenplays, music, etc.
Each profile has a quote- the movie they won an Oscar for- a bit of personal information-like what the atmosphere was at that point- what the person wore- what they did after the ceremony- like parties- for example- and where their 'Oscar' now resides.
This book can be read in one sitting. Most of the material is not hard to locate on the internet- so if one had the time, organization skills, and the inclination you could have searched this information out on your own without needing this book- or you could have ‘written’ this one yourself. But Karger- who will be familiar to those who watch Turner Classic Movies- has gathered everything together for you- adding a few bits of personal information that on occasion was bittersweet or poignant.
Other than that, though, the book is rather bland.
Movie enthusiasts, I suppose, would like this one- but I would think big movie fans would already know most of what is presented here- but then again, the convenience of having the material all organized together in one book might be a motivation to pick this one up. But I would suggest checking to see if your library has a copy before forking over fifteen bucks for this one.
2.5 stars
This is a quick read recapping Oscar wins over the years in various categories- actresses, screenplays, music, etc.
Each profile has a quote- the movie they won an Oscar for- a bit of personal information-like what the atmosphere was at that point- what the person wore- what they did after the ceremony- like parties- for example- and where their 'Oscar' now resides.
This book can be read in one sitting. Most of the material is not hard to locate on the internet- so if one had the time, organization skills, and the inclination you could have searched this information out on your own without needing this book- or you could have ‘written’ this one yourself. But Karger- who will be familiar to those who watch Turner Classic Movies- has gathered everything together for you- adding a few bits of personal information that on occasion was bittersweet or poignant.
Other than that, though, the book is rather bland.
Movie enthusiasts, I suppose, would like this one- but I would think big movie fans would already know most of what is presented here- but then again, the convenience of having the material all organized together in one book might be a motivation to pick this one up. But I would suggest checking to see if your library has a copy before forking over fifteen bucks for this one.
2.5 stars
March 16, 2024
This was a fun read. Karger interviewed 50 Oscar winners from famous actors and directors to lesser-known recipients in a variety of categories, each one telling what the experience was like for them. Two of my favorite stories were from the latter group: Kevin O'Connell who won for Sound Mixing in 2017 - the first win after 20 previous nominations, and Jessica Yu who won for Best Documentary Short in 1997. Her acceptance speech is featured at the Academy Museum as one of the most memorable in Oscar history. Love all of the photographs too - it's a beautiful book. My only complaint was that there are too many Best Song winners featured - not my favorite category. I hope a 50 MORE Oscar Nights is in the works.
March 25, 2024
Quick read. 52 people who won Oscars on 50 different nights. Each vignette starts with a photograph of the winner(s) on Oscar night, then the introductory: who, category, film, year, a snippet of the acceptance speech then an short intro by Karger. Each winner than answers explaining: The Atmosphere, The Look (what they wore), The Speech (what is remembered of time on stage accepting), The Celebration (where'd they go after the show), The Perspective (how did this affect your career/life), and, finally, Where Oscar Lives Now.
The list includes people in front of the lens as well as some background people.
I think there are a few films that I have never seen that I will put on my "to be watched list."
The list includes people in front of the lens as well as some background people.
I think there are a few films that I have never seen that I will put on my "to be watched list."
April 8, 2024
4.5 stars rounded up to 5. If you love movies and watching the Academy Awards, this book is for you. Dave Karger has interviewed 50 Oscar winners in various categories about their special night. What amazed me most is how much this award means to people. Although there has always been a lot of controversy surrounding the Oscars (who gets nominated, who doesn't), those who won were pleased and proud to receive the honour. This may be slightly skewed as you would assume people who agreed to talk to Karger would be happy. But overall, even if some nights didn't go as planned (for example Marlee Matlin), the winners still felt they deserved the award and had happy memories of their experience. This also reminded me that there are some of these award winning films I have not yet seen-so they have been added (or re-added to my list). Next up, Lost in Translation.
March 4, 2024
I really like Dave Karger on TCM, that being said I was looking forward to reading his book on the Oscars. Like him, as a child I would always watch the show with great anticipation. As for the book, at first I found it entertaining, however, half way thru, it became a bit tedious with the same format. Also, I found myself skipping over people who were so egotistical I couldn't bear to read their story (yes, I know perhaps I would be too in their position, but it got to me).
I had just read any number of heavy books and wanted something really entertaining to take my mind away, this wasn't it. I wish I hadn't paid for it but waited until it was available for less on Kindle Unlimited.
I had just read any number of heavy books and wanted something really entertaining to take my mind away, this wasn't it. I wish I hadn't paid for it but waited until it was available for less on Kindle Unlimited.
March 17, 2024
Dave Karger gives an interesting perspective into the winners of an Oscar. My opinion of many of the winners changed drastically over the story of the win and the placing of the Oscar. A very hard opinion that several placed the Oscar in a closet. This is a prize for doing a fabulous job in your chosen field of endeavor. Yes, many struggled years before winning this elusive prize. The surprising field of children and their famous parent showing that the famous adage remains as to who you know. The pictures of the winners and description of the outfits worn enhance the experience. An interesting glimpse into a privileged existence.
March 4, 2024
This book delivers a delightful compendium of some of the most iconic moments in Academy Awards history. The honored actors give us their viewpoints and feelings, each accompanied by at least one and usually several pictures. The prompting questions follow a similar format with a few variations. The questions include the back story, pinch-me moments, the celebration, and the aftermath. Each article concludes with where the Oscar or Oscars live now. This entertaining book lets us view the actor's personal lives and opinions of the awards. You don't have to be a film fanatic to enjoy this one.
March 9, 2024
3.5. Interesting concept for a book, but at times just seemed like a huge brag fest which really turned me off. I actually came out of this book having a much higher opinion of the people who didn’t make such a big deal out of winning the Oscar (or who didn’t own a baby grand piano and decide to display the award there.) Never knew they had people go to parties after and walk around with their awards, showing it off. Hollywood is strange. I do have more respect for Nicole Kidman because she was one of the few who said she decided not to do that because it felt weird to do.
June 8, 2024
From Julia Roberts to Jennifer Hudson, Steven Spielberg to Sally Field,
meet over 50 stars, directors, songwriters and more as they share their iconic Award-wins after a nomination they didn't feel they would win.
Included in each personal anecdote are the conversations had leading up to Oscar Night, what they wore, what they were thinking in the moment, speech prep, and the aftermath of it all.
Truly, it was a fun and magical behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and how much it can affect someone.
Hooray for Hollywood!
meet over 50 stars, directors, songwriters and more as they share their iconic Award-wins after a nomination they didn't feel they would win.
Included in each personal anecdote are the conversations had leading up to Oscar Night, what they wore, what they were thinking in the moment, speech prep, and the aftermath of it all.
Truly, it was a fun and magical behind-the-scenes look at Hollywood and how much it can affect someone.
Hooray for Hollywood!
August 29, 2024
You won't find any deep and dark secrets here, but Dave Karger has just that way of getting people to tell him a bit more than they may have wanted. Of all these vignettes, I most appreciated Marlee Matlin and Mira Sorvino, who spoke with some frankness about their own personal exploitative experiences. Other highlights were Jane Fonda and Rita Moreno. Even if you're not a dedicated TCM watcher you will find something to twig your childhood memories of going to those big movie palaces and watching Every. Single. Moment. of the Oscars before there were such things as videocassette and DVR.
February 11, 2024
What a treat to read - candid interviews with 50 different Oscar winners (from lots of different categories and eras from the 1960s to the present day) about what their personal experience of the Oscars was like. It ranges from "peak joyous experience of my life" to "oh man, here's all the stuff that went wrong" and lots in between - fascinating stories, the author is obviously an amazing interviewer. Great photos too.
February 15, 2024
An entertaining compilation of interviews with 50 Oscar winners about winning the Academy Award. It is a diverse group that is interviewed and includes not only actors, but directors, screenwriters, songwriters, etc. Each subject gets four pages with photographs and covers topics such as their backstory, fashion decisions, celebrations of winning the award, the winners' speeches, and more. A must read for movie buffs!
February 16, 2024
I was disappointed in this book. My disappointment rises from expected something different. The book does give us a history of Oscars by highlighting different winners in various categories. What is interesting about the book is the stories are from the perspectives of the winners. I believe if I read a review of the book before I read the book, my disappointment would be lessen. If you enjoy Oscar, you will enjoy this book.
February 23, 2024
Fifty Oscar winners are featured in Dave Karger’s book. The details for each winner range from their backgrounds, accomplishments, acceptance speeches, celebrations after the ceremony, where the Oscar trophies have been shelved, and even the winners’ wardrobes.
Even though the information about each winning actor/ actress/ director was enlightening, I became bored with the repetitive format for each person. The book just wasn’t as spontaneous and fresh as the Academy Awards.
Even though the information about each winning actor/ actress/ director was enlightening, I became bored with the repetitive format for each person. The book just wasn’t as spontaneous and fresh as the Academy Awards.
March 9, 2024
Beautifully presented and fun to dip into, this book will attract film enthusiasts. Karger offers original interviews with an array of Oscar winners, pulling from directors, actors, screenwriters, and musicians, who describe what winning the award meant to them, how they prepared for the big night, how they felt when their name was called, and where they keep their statues. From Elton John to Sir Peter Jackson, Emma Thompson to Usher, this is an entertaining quick read. Adult.
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