The Oscar (film)

Content sourced from Wikipedia, licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.

The Oscar is a 1966 American drama film directed by Russell Rouse. It stars Stephen Boyd as Frankie Fane, a ruthless actor who will do anything to win the Best Actor Oscar. The cast also includes Elke Sommer, Milton Berle, Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotten, Jill St. John, Tony Bennett, Edie Adams, and Ernest Borgnine. The movie features several real Oscar winners in front of and behind the camera.

Plot in simple terms:
Frankie Fane rises from a small-time hustler in New York to a Hollywood star by using people and hurting them. He starts with his stripper girlfriend Laurel, moves on to a budding designer named Kay Bergdahl, and meets talent scout Sophie Cantaro. Sophie helps him get an agent, and Frankie becomes a fast-rising star. He treats people badly, buys fancy homes and cars, and angers the studio boss.

When Frankie’s career dips and he becomes “box office poison,” he still pursues fame and ends up with an Oscar nomination. To tilt the vote in his favor, he secretly hires a crooked private investigator, Barney Yale, who leaks information to manipulate voters. Yale also blackmails Frankie, who then faces more trouble when Hymie, Frankie’s friend, confronts him about the harm he has caused. Laurel has her own tragedy, linked to Frankie’s actions.

The big moment comes at the Academy Awards. Host Merle Oberon announces the winner, and the name “Frank” seems to be the start of Frankie’s triumph, but the announcer then says “Sinatra.” Frank Sinatra moves toward the stage while Frankie Fane, stunned, claps weakly and is left humiliated as the truth about his misdeeds is exposed. The film ends with his fall from grace and the audience enjoying the comeuppance of the self-centered star.

Reception and legacy:
The Oscar was not well received by many critics at the time, with some calling it melodramatic or silly. Some viewers later view it as campy or as a burlesque of Hollywood life. Tony Bennett’s performance and the film’s tone are often singled out for critique. The movie has since developed a reputation as a “bad movie we love” in some circles and is noted for its satirical look at the movie industry.

Release and home media:
The film premiered on television in 1969 and was later released on DVD and Blu-ray by Kino Lorber in 2020. The Oscar remains notable for featuring real Oscar winners in its cast and crew and for its infamous portrayal of Hollywood’s pursuit of fame.