The Golden Age Unveiled
A Scholarly Examination of Hollywood's 1935 Cinematic Achievements and the Dawn of the 'Oscar' Era.
Event Details โน๏ธ View Winners โญDive in with Flashcard Learning!
๐ฎ Play the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge Game๐ฎ
Event Overview
Date & Venue
The 8th Academy Awards ceremony convened on March 5, 1936, at the esteemed Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles, California.[2] This event marked a significant milestone as it was the inaugural year the awards were officially referred to as "Oscars."
Host & Organization
Presiding over the evening was Frank Capra, then president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS).[1] AMPAS, the governing body, orchestrated the event to honor the cinematic achievements of films released in 1935.
Ceremony Highlights
Outstanding Production
The prestigious award for Outstanding Production was bestowed upon Mutiny on the Bounty. This marked a notable occurrence, as it became the last film to date to win the top honor without securing any other awards, a distinction previously held by The Broadway Melody and Grand Hotel.[1] Furthermore, Mutiny on the Bounty holds the record for the most nominations in the year with eight, and uniquely, received three nominations for Best Actor.
Most Accolades
While Mutiny on the Bounty dominated in nominations, the film securing the highest number of awards was The Informer, which garnered a total of four Academy Awards.[2] This highlights the diverse range of cinematic excellence recognized during the ceremony.
Award Recipients & Nominees
The following details the winners and nominees across key categories. Note the inclusion of write-in candidates in certain categories, a practice permitted during this era.
Outstanding Production
Winner: Mutiny on the Bounty โ Frank Lloyd & Irving Thalberg (Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer)
Best Directing
Winner: John Ford โ The Informer
Best Actor
Winner: Victor McLaglen โ The Informer as "Gypo" Nolan
Best Actress
Winner: Bette Davis โ Dangerous as Joyce Heath
Best Writing (Original Story)
Winner: The Scoundrel โ Ben Hecht & Charles MacArthur
Best Writing (Screenplay)
Winner: The Informer โ Dudley Nichols (refused), based on the novel by Liam O'Flaherty
Best Music (Song)
Winner: "Lullaby of Broadway" from Gold Diggers of 1935 โ Music by Harry Warren; Lyrics by Al Dubin
Best Cinematography
Winner: A Midsummer Night's Dream โ Hal Mohr (write-in)
Best Dance Direction
Winner: Broadway Melody of 1936 and Folies Bergรจre de Paris โ Dave Gould
Special Recognition
Honorary Award
A singular Honorary Academy Award was presented to the pioneering filmmaker D. W. Griffith. This distinguished honor recognized his profound contributions, acknowledging his "distinguished creative achievements as director and producer and his invaluable initiative and lasting contributions to the progress of the motion picture arts."[2]
Statistical Insights
Nomination Distribution
The distribution of nominations highlights the dominant films of the year:
Award Distribution
The number of wins provides insight into the critical reception:
Historical Context & Trivia
Cinematic Reflection
The 8th Academy Awards ceremony served as a backdrop for a pivotal scene in the 1937 film A Star Is Born. The film depicted a fictionalized version of the awards, where the protagonist, Esther Blodgett (Vicki Lester), wins Best Actress, while her husband, Norman Maine, causes a scene. This meta-narrative highlighted the growing prominence and public fascination with the Academy Awards, contrasting the intimate ceremonies of the era with the grand spectacles of today.[3]
Write-in Votes
This ceremony represented the second and final year in which write-in votes were officially permitted. This practice notably allowed A Midsummer Night's Dream to secure an Oscar for Best Cinematography via a write-in nomination, an unusual path to recognition.[1]
Teacher's Corner
Edit and Print this course in the Wiki2Web Teacher Studio

Click here to open the "8th Academy Awards" Wiki2Web Studio curriculum kit
Use the free Wiki2web Studio to generate printable flashcards, worksheets, exams, and export your materials as a web page or an interactive game.
True or False?
Test Your Knowledge!
Gamer's Corner
Are you ready for the Wiki2Web Clarity Challenge?

Unlock the mystery image and prove your knowledge by earning trophies. This simple game is addictively fun and is a great way to learn!
Play now
References
References
Feedback & Support
To report an issue with this page, or to find out ways to support the mission, please click here.
Academic Disclaimer
Important Notice
This content has been meticulously generated by an Artificial Intelligence, drawing exclusively from the provided source material for informational and educational purposes. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy and adherence to the source, it is intended as a scholarly resource and not as a definitive historical account.
This is not professional historical or film industry advice. The information presented should not substitute consultation with academic historians or film scholars. Users are encouraged to consult primary sources and expert analyses for comprehensive understanding.
The creators of this page assume no liability for any inaccuracies, omissions, or actions taken based on the information herein.