Oscars (2)
Michael Kahn is a highly accomplished American film editor known for his remarkable career. He is particularly recognized for his long-standing and incredibly fruitful collaboration with director Steven Spielberg, a partnership that began in 1977 with Close Encounters of the Third Kind. Since then, Kahn has edited the vast majority of Spielberg's films, establishing one of the most significant director-editor relationships in Hollywood.
Kahn's exceptional talent in film editing had already been acknowledged by 1986. He was nominated for the Academy Award for Best Film Editing for Close Encounters of the Third Kind (1977) and Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981), winning the Oscar for his outstanding work on Raiders.
During his acceptance speech for Best Film Editing for Catch Me If You Can, Michael Kahn made sure to express his sincere gratitude to Steven Spielberg. He acknowledged their rewarding creative partnership and thanked Spielberg for his visionary direction and the trust he placed in Kahn's editing skills.
The next award to be presented was for Best Music (Original Song). The Oscar went to "Say You, Say Me" from the film White Nights, with music and lyrics by Lionel Richie.
The award for Best Music (Original Score) followed, and, as many expected, the Oscar was awarded to John Barry for his sweeping and memorable score for Out of Africa. Even those associated with Catch Me If You Can had to admit that Barry's work was a standout among all the nominated films.
After the award for Best Music (Original Score) went to John Barry for Out of Africa, the next award to be presented was for Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium). This was a moment of significant anticipation for Alex Hayes and the Catch Me If You Can team, as it marked Alex's first nomination of the evening.
The esteemed writer Larry Gelbart, known for his work on M*A*S*H and Tootsie, took the stage to present the award.
Larry Gelbart then read the nominations : "Out of Africa – Kurt Luedtke," "The Color Purple – Menno Meyjes," "Kiss of the Spider Woman – Leonard Schrader," "Prizzi's Honor – Richard Condon and Janet Roach," and "Catch Me If You Can - Alex Hayes."
Larry Gelbart then opened the envelope, a hush falling over the room. Alex Hayes clenched his hands into tight fists, his heart pounding in his chest. Gelbart announced, "And the Academy Award for Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material from Another Medium) goes to... Alex Hayes for Catch Me If You Can!"
A rush of blood seemed to fill Alex's ears, and for a moment, the sound of the applause faded into a distant roar. He registered the flurry of congratulations around him – Mia's tight embrace, Steven Spielberg's enthusiastic pat on the back. Somehow, his legs carried him forward, and he found himself walking towards the stage, the golden glow of the Oscar award drawing him in.
Taking the statuette from Larry Gelbart's hands, the weight of it felt surreal. The applause finally registered, washing over him in a warm wave. He took a deep breath, trying to calm his racing thoughts. "I... I have always loved films," he began, his voice slightly trembling, "and like so many, I've always loved the Oscars. To be standing here today, holding my very first one... it's truly unbelievable."
He paused, a touch of emotion in his voice. "My late mother always dreamed of this moment for me, though I'm sure even she wouldn't have guessed it would be for my writing." He smiled, a genuine and heartfelt expression. "I want to thank my my father John, my step-mother Martha, and my aunt Nancy for all their unwavering support. And of course, Steven Spielberg, for believing in this story and making this film a reality."
He then added, with a hopeful look towards the future, "I hope that one day, I'll have the honor of standing on this stage again, perhaps for my acting."
The audience responded with enthusiastic applause, appreciating his sincerity and ambition. Despite the immense joy of his writing win, Alex was grounded enough to know that his performance in Catch Me If You Can, while a valuable part of the film, was not the kind of role that is a strong contender for Best Actor, especially given his young age and the powerhouse performances from more seasoned actors in contention that year. It was this awareness that tempered his elation with a touch of hopeful aspiration for future recognition in his other passion, acting.
The ceremony continued with the award for Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen). The Oscar in this category was awarded to Witness for the screenplay by Earl W. Wallace, Pamela Wallace and William Kelley.
The next award of the evening was for Best Director, and taking the stage to present this prestigious honor was the one and only Barbra Streisand. A true icon of the entertainment industry, Streisand has achieved remarkable success as a singer, actress, director, and producer. With a career spanning decades, she has won numerous accolades, including two Academy Awards – one for Best Actress for Funny Girl and another for Best Original Song for "Evergreen" from A Star Is Born, making her the first woman to receive an Oscar for composing music. Her powerful voice, commanding stage presence, and undeniable talent have solidified her status as a legend in Hollywood and beyond.
Barbara Streisand held the envelope and announced the nominees: "Sydney Pollack – Out of Africa, Steven Spielberg - The Color Purple, John Huston – Prizzi's Honor, Akira Kurosawa – Ran, and Steven Spielberg – Catch Me If You Can."
And she opened the envelope and read, "The Oscar for Best Director goes to... Sydney Pollack – Out of Africa."
The auditorium filled with applause as Sydney Pollack made his way to the stage to accept his award. Even Steven Spielberg joined in the clapping, though Alex, sitting behind him, caught a flicker of disappointment in his eyes before Steven composed himself. Alex gently tapped Steven on the shoulder, offering a sympathetic nod. Steven turned, offering a small smile and a shrug, acknowledging the sentiment.
"You know," Alex leaned in and whispered with playful sincerity, "honestly, even if Pollack wasn't in the running, I'd have probably picked Akira before you."
A genuine burst of laughter escaped Steven. "You're something else, Alex," he chuckled, shaking his head. "But you're absolutely right, Akira is a master, and Ran is a masterpiece."
Alex truly believed that Akira Kurosawa's Ran was the cinematic achievement of the year. The sheer scope, the powerful storytelling, and the stunning visuals had deeply impressed him.
Following the Best Director award it is the announcement of Best Actor. The previous year's Best Actress winner, Sally Field, bounded onto the stage, her smile radiant.
"And now," she announced holding the envelope aloft, "for the men who brought such compelling and unforgettable characters to life this year, the nominees for Best Actor are "Harrison Ford for Witness, Jack Nicholson for Prizzi's Honor, William Hurt for Kiss of the Spider Woman, Jon Voight for Runaway Train as Oscar "Manny" Manheim ... and Alex Hayes for Catch Me If You Can!"
Sally Field, beaming at the nominees, then opened the envelope.
"And the Academy Award for Best Actor goes to..." Sally Field paused for dramatic effect, "...William Hurt for Kiss of the Spider Woman!"
As Sally Field announced William Hurt's name, Alex remained calm, a genuine smile spreading across his face as he joined in the applause. Mia, watching him closely, had braced herself for a flicker of disappointment, but instead, she saw Alex's warm and appreciative reaction. It seemed he genuinely respected Hurt's work and understood the competitive nature of the awards. His clapping was enthusiastic, a sign of respect for a fellow actor's achievement.
William Hurt's Oscar-winning portrayal of Luis Molina in Kiss of the Spider Woman is a captivating study of a complex and multifaceted character. The film, set in an Argentinian prison during a military dictatorship, focuses on the unlikely relationship between Luis Molina, a gay window dresser imprisoned for corrupting a minor, and Valentin Arregui, a heterosexual political activist.
Luis Molina is a flamboyant and imaginative individual who uses elaborate retellings of his favorite romantic and escapist movies as a way to cope with the harsh realities of prison life. His cell becomes a stage where he acts out melodramatic tales, particularly one featuring a mysterious "Spider Woman."
William Hurt's performance brilliantly captured the outwardly effeminate nature of Luis, his love for fantasy and glamour, and his yearning for connection.
After the announcement of the Best Actor award, the final and most significant moment of the evening arrived: the presentation of the Academy Award for Best Picture. Taking the stage to bestow this honor were three legendary directors whose collective work had shaped the landscape of cinema: John Huston, Akira Kurosawa, and Billy Wilder. Their joint appearance drew a respectful and enthusiastic applause from the gathered audience.
The three directors then presented the distinguished nominees for Best Picture:
Out of Africa – Sydney Pollack, producer
The Color Purple – Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Quincy Jones, producers
Kiss of the Spider Woman – David Weisman, producer
Catch Me If You Can - Steven Spielberg, Kathleen Kennedy, Frank Marshall, and Alex Hayes, producers
Witness – Edward S. Feldman, producer
As the ceremony drew to a close, it was clear that the race for Best Picture was primarily between two films: Out of Africa and Catch Me If You Can. Out of Africa had already swept through the technical and artistic categories, taking home Oscars for Best Art Direction, Best Cinematography, Best Original Score, Best Sound, and Best Director. Meanwhile, Catch Me If You Can, though with fewer wins, had secured two of the most prestigious awards: Best Film Editing and Best Adapted Screenplay. As the final award loomed, both films stood with an equal chance of claiming the ultimate prize of the night.
The attendant approached the legendary directors and handed the final, most important envelope to John Huston. With a nod, Huston passed it to Akira Kurosawa, who carefully broke the seal and opened it. He glanced inside, a slight smile touching his lips, before handing the card to Billy Wilder. Wilder peered at the name, and then, with perfect timing, announced, "And the Academy Award for Best Picture goes to... Catch Me If You Can!"
The roar in the theater was immense as the Catch Me If You Can team celebrated their Best Picture win. The four producers made their way to the stage, beaming with joy.
Taking the microphone, a slightly breathless Alex Hayes, clutching the Best Picture Oscar, looked out at the dazzling lights and the cheering crowd. "Wow... just wow," he began, his voice filled with awe. "To be back here again tonight... for this? It's... it's truly surreal. Winning for writing was already beyond anything I could have imagined, but to now be holding this... it's absolutely overwhelming. From the bottom of my heart, I want to thank the Academy for this incredible honor. Thank you for believing in our film."
"This film was a labor of love for so many," Kathleen began, her voice thick with emotion. Frank added, his voice a little shaky, "To see it recognized in this way... we are deeply grateful to the Academy, to our incredible cast and crew, and to everyone who believed in this story. Thank you."
Next, Frank Marshall added, his voice a little choked with emotion, "Making movies is a collaborative process, and this award belongs to every single person who dedicated their time and talent to Catch Me If You Can. Thank you to our amazing cast, our tireless crew, and to Steven for his brilliant vision. We are truly humbled."
Finally, Steven Spielberg, holding the Best Picture Oscar aloft, his eyes glistening slightly, looked out at the cheering crowd, his voice thick with emotion. "Standing here, holding this... it feels like a dream I've carried for a lifetime has finally come true. There are moments in life when words simply fail, and this is absolutely one of them. To share this with Kathy, Frank, and Alex, and our entire Catch Me If You Can family... it's the greatest honor. Thank you, from the depths of my heart."
And with that the 58th Academy Awards ceremony came to an end. While Out of Africa walked away with the most awards of the night, it was Catch Me If You Can that claimed the top prize, Best Picture.