Chapter 75

The Rise of Charlie Lee and the Academy Awards

"It is a great and memorable day. We are ushering in a new era in the film industry," Douglas exclaimed passionately as he stood at the front of the stage, gesturing to the back. "And here, we want to thank a very special guest, Charlie Lee."

A wave of loud applause erupted from the crowd, and amidst it, sharp whistles filled the air as Charlie Lee stepped onto the stage.

"Thank you, thank you very much for Douglas's kind introduction," Charlie said with a smile, taking the microphone. "Although, I think he forgot to mention my greatest strength. But, I still appreciate his kind words."

The audience laughed, some applauded, while others exchanged curious glances. Charlie had a knack for making the crowd feel at ease, and his humor was well received.

"What's that? You want to know what my greatest strength is?" Charlie asked, playfully leaning toward the crowd, his ear to the stage as if listening for an answer.

"Yes!" came the reply, a chorus of voices eager for more.

Charlie grinned widely. "Well…" he said, his voice full of suspense. "It's a secret!"

The audience erupted in laughter, charmed by his wit and confident delivery. At that moment, Charlie Lee, the wealthy Chinese businessman, had won over the crowd, establishing a new rapport with the Hollywood elite.

"All of you here are extraordinary directors, producers, editors, and actors. I'm honored to be here with you tonight. This is truly a remarkable moment," Charlie continued, his tone shifting to one of genuine admiration.

He paused for a moment, his gaze turning toward Louis Meyer, whose face was now under the scrutiny of the audience. Charlie's eyes twinkled with mischief as he added, "And I also want to thank Louis Meyer. He's the one who sparked my passion for film. It is truly a privilege to contribute to this industry. Thank you, Louis."

Meyer's face visibly turned pale, his discomfort palpable, yet he forced a strained smile. The crowd buzzed with quiet murmurs, and the reporters in the audience hastily adjusted their cameras to capture the tense moment.

Everyone in Hollywood knew the history of the Academy Awards—Louis Meyer's greed had driven its creation. This moment, this subtle challenge by a Chinese businessman, had all the makings of a headline: "Chinese Mogul Takes on Hollywood's King."

Though applause followed, it was lukewarm at best. While Douglas and the representatives from various companies clapped enthusiastically, others—directors and actors especially—remained silent. It was clear that Meyer's influence in Hollywood was still very much intact.

Charlie continued his speech, unfazed. "From silent films to sound, we have always been at the forefront of the film industry's evolution. This magical world we've created is a gift to the whole world."

The audience erupted into applause as filmmakers paid homage to the silent film era, acknowledging its profound impact on the future of the industry.

After finishing his speech, Charlie returned to the backstage area, where Douglas's voice could still be heard echoing on stage. "Thank you for Charlie's wonderful words. Oh, I'm nearly in tears," Douglas added, humorously exaggerated in his gratitude.

Back in the audience, the ceremony continued with the first award of the evening—the Best Makeup Award. Prior to this, no one had considered that categories like makeup, costume design, set design, and cinematography could deserve their own awards. But thanks to Charlie Lee, the Academy had made room for these behind-the-scenes talents, earning him admiration from countless crew members whose work often went unnoticed.

"The winner of the Best Makeup Award is…" Douglas opened the golden envelope, his words hanging in the air. Yet, Charlie was not focused on the winner. For him, the significance of the award lay in its recognition. It wasn't about the winner; it was about how the Academy was evolving to reflect the real work of the industry.

Charlie's thoughts drifted to the commercialization of the Oscars. In the past, the awards had been somewhat disconnected from the public, but now the process was becoming more market-driven. It was a slow transformation, but Charlie could see the potential for greater change.

However, it wasn't the awards that had caught Charlie's attention now. He found himself staring at the woman beside him—Greta Garbo. Her calm, composed demeanor contrasted sharply with the noisy chatter of the crowd. It was the first time in his life that Charlie had felt his heart race in such a way.

Greta, sensing Charlie's gaze, shifted uncomfortably. She had grown accustomed to the attention of men, but this felt different. It reminded her of the constant onslaught of suitors she had dealt with in her rise to fame.

Two years ago, Greta had become a sensation in Hollywood with her role in The Body and the Devil, which had propelled her into the limelight. While the fame brought admiration, it also came with unwanted attention—letters, strange messages, and constant commentary on her appearance. Some critics had described her as "a face once in a thousand years," "the Mona Lisa of the screen," and "a marvel." But none of this brought her happiness. Instead, it made her wary of social interaction, and she began to retreat inward.

Greta's mind wandered back to her past. At the age of thirteen, she had dropped out of school to care for her ailing father. After his passing, she struggled to make ends meet. At fourteen, she had become a model, using her striking beauty to secure work. But the world she entered was harsh and filled with deceit. As a young girl, she had never understood the adult world, but her beauty ensured she stood out, often alienating her.

It was by chance that Stiller, a man who saw beyond her appearance, discovered her and helped her transform. Under his guidance, Greta learned proper etiquette, had her teeth straightened, and was dressed in fine clothes. Stiller took Greta on long walks, teaching her about the rules of the film industry and the fascinating stories of Hollywood's elite.

Despite his support, Stiller's career in Hollywood faltered, and he chose to return to Sweden. Before leaving, he offered Greta the chance to join him, but she declined. It wasn't that she didn't want to go; it was the fear of starting over and returning to a life of poverty that held her back.

Soon after Stiller's departure, Greta was cast in The Body and the Devil, where she fell in love with the passionate John Gilbert. John's powerful gaze and commanding presence melted her resolve, but their relationship ended when she resisted his marriage proposal. Though John pursued her relentlessly, Greta could never accept his love—her heart still belonged to Stiller.

As Charlie watched her from across the room, he felt a connection, something that stirred within him like never before. But Greta, sensing his gaze, turned her attention elsewhere. She engaged in light conversation with the production manager from Paramount, deliberately avoiding Charlie.

"Boss, she's hiding from you," Emo whispered from behind Charlie, his voice laced with amusement.

"I know," Charlie replied, somewhat annoyed. It seemed this wasn't the ideal start to his interaction with Greta. However, neither of them noticed the quiet, simmering presence of Louis Meyer, who had been watching the exchange with growing irritation.

Meyer was no fool—he knew that Greta was MGM's star. But now, she was conversing with Paramount, and Meyer's anger surged. He clenched his fists as he watched from the side, his eyes narrowed in frustration. Was she betraying him?

Greta, unaware of the storm brewing, noticed Meyer's intense gaze. As their eyes locked, she immediately understood the source of his anger. She had inadvertently upset the balance between the two studios, something she had failed to consider in her attempt to avoid Charlie's attentions.

Despite the initial panic, Greta regained her composure. She knew she had the confidence to stand her ground. After all, she was one of the highest-grossing actresses in Hollywood, and no one would dare challenge that, would they?

The evening continued with the final award of the night—the Best Picture Award. "And the winner is Seventh Heaven, congratulations to Frank Bouchard," Douglas announced, closing the first Academy Awards with resounding applause.

As the ceremony came to an end, it was clear that Charlie Lee had forever changed the course of Hollywood history. His vision, the influence of his wealth, and his bold challenges had set the stage for a new era in the film industry—one that was both glamorous and accessible to the masses.

And with that, the curtain fell on the inaugural Academy Awards, leaving a lasting impression on the world of cinema.