Oscars Playback: When ‘The Last Emperor’ swept and Cher struck gold
Welcome back to Oscars Playback, in which Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng revisit Oscar ceremonies and winners of yesteryear. This week, we cover the 60th Academy Awards in 1988, honoring the films of 1987.
“The Last Emperor” ruled over the ceremony, winning all nine awards for which it was nominated to tie “Gigi” (1958) for the largest perfect sweep in Oscar history at that point. They will, of course, later be eclipsed by “The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King” (2003), which went 11 for 11. But what’s up not a single “Last Emperor” actor getting a nomination?
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“Moonstruck” was the second biggest winner of the night with three wins from six bids — and all above the line for Best Actress champ Cher, Best Supporting Actress winner Olympia Dukakis and Best Original Screenplay for John Patrick Shanley. James L. Brooks‘ “Broadcast News,” which had the second most nominations at seven, went home empty-handed. None of them were for the former Best Director champ, who to this day hasn’t returned to the category he won for “Terms of Endearment” (1983).
Elsewhere, we discuss Sean Connery‘s standing O before he even won, Anna Kirkland‘s self-campaign and more.
Timestamps:
Intro and general thoughts (0:00)
Our favorite films of 1987 (13:10)
Best Picture (44:57)
Best Director (57:01)
Best Actor (1:05:24)
Best Actress (1:11:10)
Best Supporting Actor (1:21:09)
Best Supporting Actress (1:25:41)
Screenplay awards (1:28:54)
Other awards (1:31:05)
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