The Oscar (film)

The Oscar
Company type	Film
Industry	Motion picture
Founded	1966
Key people	Russell Rouse (director), Clarence Greene (producer), Harlan Ellison (co-writer)
Products	Drama film

The Oscar is a 1966 American drama directed by Russell Rouse, featuring performances by Stephen Boyd, Elke Sommer, Milton Berle, Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Jill St. John, Tony Bennett, Edie Adams, and Ernest Borgnine. The cast also includes several actual Oscar winners such as Borgnine, Broderick Crawford, Ed Begley, Walter Brennan, Frank Sinatra, and James Dunn. Additionally, the film involved acclaimed cinematographer Joseph Ruttenberg and costume designer Edith Head, who received a nomination for her work on this project. Prominent Oscar nominees like Merle Oberon and Eleanor Parker also appear in the movie.

Plot

While awaiting the announcement of the Best Actor Oscar, film star Frankie Fane’s friend Hymie Kelly contemplates Fane’s cold-hearted climb to stardom. Frankie begins his journey as a pitchman for his stripper girlfriend Laurel, then relocates to New York City, leaving Laurel behind for fashion designer Kay Bergdahl. There, he encounters talent scout Sophie Cantaro, who helps him secure representation through agent "Kappy" Kapstetter, propelling him rapidly into Hollywood success.

Throughout his career, Fane demonstrates selfishness and deceit—he hastily marries Kay but treats her poorly, ostentatiously displays his wealth, and alienates studio executive Regan. His popularity nosedives when he is labeled "box office poison," yet he still receives an Oscar nomination for portraying a morally corrupt character resembling himself.

Determined to win the award, Fane enlists corrupt private investigator Barney Yale to manipulate Academy voters by leaking damaging scandals that tarnish Hymie and Laurel’s reputations. Hymie confronts Fane with the revelation that he married Laurel, who died from an abortion while pregnant with Fane’s child. When Yale attempts blackmail, Fane turns to Yale’s ex-wife for assistance in covering up the scheme.

At the Academy Awards ceremony, presenter Merle Oberon announces Frank Sinatra as the winner, leaving Fane shocked and defeated while those he betrayed witness his downfall.

Cast

Stephen Boyd as Frankie Fane
Elke Sommer as Kay Bergdahl
Milton Berle as Kappy Kapstetter
Eleanor Parker as Sophie Cantaro
Joseph Cotten as Kenneth H. Regan
Jill St. John as Laurel Scott
Tony Bennett as Hymie Kelly
Edie Adams as Trina Yale
Ernest Borgnine as Barney Yale
Ed Begley as Grobard
Walter Brennan as Orrin C. Quentin
Broderick Crawford as Sheriff
James Dunn as Network Executive
Edith Head as herself
Bob Hope as himself, hosting the Oscars
Hedda Hopper as herself
Peter Lawford as Steve Marks
Merle Oberon as herself
Frank Sinatra as himself
Nancy Sinatra as herself
Jack Soo as Sam
Jean Hale as Cheryl Barker
Eddie Ryder as Mexican Marriage Broker
Chris Alcaide as Ledbetter
John Dennis as Sid
Peter Leeds as Bert
John Holland as Stevens
Jean Bartel as Secretary
John Crowther as Wally
Cosmo Sardo as Academy Awards Guest

Broadcast

The Oscar made its network television debut on February 12, 1969, airing on ABC's Wednesday Night Movie. Following the cancellation of ABC’s comedy series Turn-On after just one episode, it was rescheduled to 8:30 pm Eastern time. The film was later included in TNT’s "Bad Movies We Love" collection.

On February 4, 2020, The Oscar became available on DVD and Blu-ray through a release by Kino Lorber.

Critical response

Though promoted as a drama, The Oscar is frequently perceived as an inadvertent camp comedy, with reviewers disparaging its screenplay and acting. Some critics interpreted it as a parody, especially highlighting the star-studded cast—Milton Berle's attempt at a serious role earned limited commendation.

Bosley Crowther of The New York Times denounced the movie for its stereotypical depiction of a cutthroat actor chasing an Academy Award, despite including well-known Hollywood personalities. Variety recognized the film’s authentic Hollywood backdrop but questioned the credibility of its narrative about Oscar rivalry. Philip K. Scheuer from the Los Angeles Times characterized the characters as unconvincing and overly scripted rather than realistic individuals. Richard L. Coe of The Washington Post reproached the Academy for endorsing a film that portrayed its awards in a negative light. Meanwhile, The Monthly Film Bulletin dismissed it as frivolous entertainment veiled by excessive dialogue and moralizing tones.

Tony Bennett did not pursue another feature film role following this project and was later awarded a Golden Turkey Award for "Worst Performance by a Popular Singer." For producers Clarence Greene and Russell Rouse, this film represented nearly the end of their careers; they collaborated on only one more movie afterward. Co-writer Harlan Ellison never had another produced feature screenplay throughout his six-decade tenure.

On Rotten Tomatoes, The Oscar is recognized for revealing Hollywood’s extravagances prior to transformative films like Easy Riders and Raging Bulls. Despite Tony Bennett’s heavily criticized performance, the tale of Frankie Fane’s ruthless ascent remains engaging due to its gritty atmosphere and numerous celebrity cameos.

Accolades

Award	Category	Recipient	Outcome
Academy Awards	Best Art Direction	Arthur Lonergan, Hal Pereira, Robert R. Benton, James W. Payne	Template:Nom
Academy Awards	Best Costume Design	Edith Head	Template:Nom
Bambi Award	Best Actress - National	Elke Sommer	Template:Nom
The Golden Turkey Awards	Worst Performance By a Popular Singer	Tony Bennett	Template:Won

External links