51st Academy Awards

The 51st Academy Awards were presented April 9, 1979 at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles. The ceremonies were presided over by Johnny Carson.

Notably, the two "front-runners" for Best Picture this year - Coming Home and The Deer Hunter - were anti-war films that reflected the nation's growing resentment over the Vietnam War. John Wayne, who would die of stomach cancer two months later, made his final public appearance to present the Oscar to the producers of The Deer Hunter.

This was also the final public appearance of Jack Haley, who died one month after presenting the Best Costume Design award with his co-star from The Wizard of Oz, Ray Bolger.

This was the first of several consecutive ceremonies presided over by talk show host Johnny Carson; introducing him on this broadcast, the announcer identified him as "John Carson".

Awards

Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.^[1][2]

Academy Honorary Awards^[1]

• Lord Laurence Olivier
• Walter Lantz
• King Vidor
• Museum of Modern Art Department of Film

Medal of Commendation^[1]

• Linwood G. Dunn, Loren L. Ryder and Waldon O. Watson

Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award^[1]

• Leo Jaffe

Presenters

• Lauren Bacall and Jon Voight (Presenters: Writing Awards)
• Robby Benson and Carol Lynley (Presenters: Short Subject Awards)
• Ray Bolger and Jack Haley (Presenters: Best Costume Design)
• Yul Brynner and Natalie Wood (Presenters: Best Foreign Language Film)
• George Burns and Brooke Shields (Presenters: Best Supporting Actress)
• Dyan Cannon and Telly Savalas (Presenters: Best Supporting Actor)
• James Coburn and Kim Novak (Presenters: Best Cinematography)
• Francis Ford Coppola and Ali MacGraw (Presenters: Best Director)
• Dom DeLuise and Valerie Perrine (Presenters: Best Film Editing)
• Richard Dreyfuss and Shirley MacLaine (Presenters: Best Actress)
• Mia Farrow and David L. Wolper (Presenters: Documentary Awards)
• Cary Grant (Presenter: Honorary Award to Laurence Olivier)
• Audrey Hepburn (Presenter: Honorary Award to King Vidor)
• Shirley Jones and Rick Schroeder (Presenters: Best Art Direction-Set Decoration)
• Ruby Keeler and Kris Kristofferson (Presenters: Best Original Song)
• Margot Kidder and Christopher Reeve (Presenters: Sound Awards)
• Dean Martin and Raquel Welch (Presenters: Music Awards)
• Steve Martin (Presenter: Best Visual Effects)
• Gregory Peck (Presenter: Honorary Award to the Museum of Modern Art's Department of Film)
• Ginger Rogers and Diana Ross (Presenters: Best Actor)
• Maggie Smith and Maureen Stapleton (Presenters: Scientific and Technical Awards)
• Danny Thomas (Presenter: Voting Rules)
• Jack Valenti (Presenter: Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award)
• John Wayne (Presenter: Best Picture)
• Paul Williams (Presenter: Sammy Davis Jr. and Steve Lawrence Performance)
• Robin Williams and Woody Woodpecker (Presenters: Honorary Award to Walter Lantz)

Performers

• Debby Boone ("When You're Loved" from The Magic of Lassie)
• Sammy Davis Jr. and Steve Lawrence ("Oscar's Only Human")
• Barry Manilow ("Ready to Take a Chance Again" from Foul Play)
• Olivia Newton-John ("Hopelessly Devoted to You" from Grease)
• Jane Olivor and Johnny Mathis ("The Last Time I Felt Like This" from Same Time, Next Year)
• Donna Summer ("Last Dance" from Thank God It's Friday)

Multiple nominations and awards

See also

• Academy Award
• Academy Honorary Award
• 51st Academy Awards nominees and winners
• 36th Golden Globe Awards
• 1978 in film
• List of Academy Awards ceremonies
• 21st Grammy Awards
• 30th Primetime Emmy Awards
• 31st Primetime Emmy Awards
• 32nd British Academy Film Awards
• 33rd Tony Awards
• Governors Awards

References

1. ^ ^{a b c d} The Official Acadademy Awards® Database
2. ^ "The 51st Academy Awards (1979) Nominees and Winners". oscars.org. http://www.oscars.org/awards/academyawards/legacy/ceremony/51st-winners.html. Retrieved 2011-10-06.