Happy Easter to All My Blog Followers

May all your chocolate bunnies be solid chocolate!

 Stumpy, the Cherry Tree 

Scores of Visitors Gather by Tidal Basin to Honor 'Stumpy'.

With the Washington Monument and the Jefferson Memorial in the background, visitors take photographs of Stumpy, the popular cherry tree at the Tidal Basin as cherry trees enter peak bloom in our Nation's Capitol

Thousands of cherry blossoms bloom in Washington each March bringing tourists from around the world to see this beautiful 'Spring Spectacular' though this year many of them are coming to see one particular tree which has been given the name, Stumpy.

Stumpy, a short cherry tree in poor condition, looks like it shouldn't be in any shape to grow blossoms particularly as floods routinely soak the tree's roots.  Every year, however, it blooms, giving the tree a reputation as a symbol of hope and resilence among its fans. 

This year's cherry blossom season will be the last for Stumpy, along with more than 150 other cherry trees.  The removal is part of a $113 million dollar project announced earlier this month by the National Park Service to rebuild and raise the seawalls around the Tidal Basin and along part of the Potomac River.

Spurred by climate change, floods have worsened along the basin, now occurring twice a day, soaking the roots of many cherry trees and posing a risk to their health.  As a measure to preserve the thousands of cherry trees along the basin, 158 of them will need to be removed to make space for the project. Thousands of visitors arrived at the basin to say goodbye to Stumpy having been fenced off.  Visitors crowded around the fence to take photos of the tree. 

The movement to save Stumpy has gained traction among those who would like to see the tree transplanted.  An online petition to save the tree calling Stumpy "our local cherry blossom hero" collected more than 600 signatures as of Monday.  

Upon completion of the project, set for 2027, 455 trees will be planted, 274 of the 455 will be cherry trees.  The Park Service will also partner with the U.S. National Aboretum to collect clippings and create genetic matches of Stumpy.  

The cherry trees were a gift from Japan in 1912 as a symbol of friendship between the United States and Japan.  Staff at the Japanese Embassy visited the tidal basin last week to honor a cherry tree called Stumpy.

Stumpy's "legacy will live on, nurturing future generations of friendship".

Midway Pony Tractor Back "Home" after 55 Years!

The original Pony Jr. Tractor ride!  It was the title for the K. Max Smith Enterprises advertisement for this amusement park ride.  A customer could purchase a unit of 6 tractors for $1,710.00 or a unit of 10 for $2,850.00 made by the Lincoln Pony Tractor Company  Lincoln, Nebraska.  The advertisement further stated:  "6 tractors will average $30.00 per hour at 10 cents per ride and $60.00 per hour at 20 cents per ride!"

The tractor shown in this photo is one of the original seven used in the 1956-57 Midway Park amusement ride.  The tractor was put on display by the Friends of Midway State Park at the Der Kobbler's 2011 Cruise-In car show.  The Lincoln Pony Tractor drew interest from many who remembered the popular ride. 

Each tractor was numbered and named for a local railroad.  This tractor was #7 and named for the Jamestown-Chautauqua rail line.  After their 2 year run at Midway, the set of tractors went to Lime Lake Amusement Park in Lime Lake, New York then on tour with local carnivals.  

Restored by Lakewood residents, Ken Hammond and his late father, Herb the tractor features a 2 HP Continental single cylinder engine, many refurbished original parts, correctly duplicated decals and attention to detail based on rare original photographs.  

Ken is appreciative of the many local businesses that helped with the 350+ hour restoration as well as Rick Eklund for letting the tractor leave his family.  

 

Maple Springs, New York

Midway State Park

🎠 

Carousel

Fun for All on Chautauqua Lake Since 1898

Originally opened as one of the thousands of "trolley parks" across the country that offered respite and recreation for families in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Midway Park and its 44 acres has endured as a destination for family fun.  Midway Park ranks as the 16th oldest continually operating amusement park in the United States.  At the peak of its popularity in the 1920s, Midway Park hosted events that attracted thousands of visitors who enjoyed picnics, swimming, a roller skating rink which also served as a dance hall and rides that included a large wooden roller coaster in 1924.  It's name was the "Jack Rabbit", but it had a lifespan of fewer than 20 years before being demolished. 

Ownership of Midway Park was held by the JW & NW railroad until 1939, Thomas Carr of Rochester, New York until 1951 and the Walsh family until the park was purchased by the State of New York in 2007.  Carr was the former manager of Celoron Park which was another popular amusement park on Chautauqua Lake at the South end of the lake in Celoron, New York.  

Today, it continues as Midway State Park.  Under the Walsh family and through a growing relationship with the Allan Herschell Company in nearby North Tonawanda, a complete Herschell kiddyland of rides was installed in the 1950s.  These rides were soon supplemented by "Dodgem" cars, the "Tilt-a-Whirl", the 1946 Herschell carousel and the minature train are considered to be the anchors of ride activity at Midway.  The games arcade, located in the former trolly depot remains as a focal point of park activity with the popular Skeeball game.  Midway Park was added to the National Register of Historic Places on March 13, 2009.  

At the Midway Couples Reunion hosted by Friends of Midway State Park on August 20, 2011 many couples in attendance enjoyed telling their stories of meeting, dating and roller skating at Midway Park in the late 1940s and early 1950s.  Friends of Midway State Park is a nonprofit organization launched in 2010 whose mission is to work with the State of New York to promote, preserve, maintain and financially support this historic amusement park that had been enjoyed by children of all ages since 1898.  During the organization's first six years of operation, they planned and constructed the PAR (Putt-A-Round) Chautauqua minature golf course, restored the Chautauqua Choo-Choo MTC G-16 minature train, acquired and displayed a restored 1957 Pony Tractor ride, partnered in the full restoration of the 1946 Herschell carousel roundhouse and its horses plus created widespread interest in the long-term restoration and beautification of Midway State Park.  

At its origin, Midway Park offered a baseball field and tennis courts.  Today, the park uses the original and newer picnic pavilions for company picnics.  The concession building was built in 1915 with a spacious restaurant facing the lake.  Today, it houses the refreshment stands, as well as the Carousel Museum and Gift Shop. The second floor of the hippodrome houses the original roller rink which the park hopes to renovate and reopen, someday, for future generation of skaters.

In 1951, the park was purchased by Martin "Red" Walsh and was later operated by the next generation of the Walsh family, Michael and Janis Walsh affectionately known as Mr. and Mrs. Midway to the staff and "park regulars" of all ages.  Through the years, several notable people have visited the park since its opening.  Among the names are Franklin D. Roosevelt, Jr., Lucille Ball and Jack Paar, former host of NBC's The Tonight Show.  In 1960, the Glenn Miller Orchestra conducted by Ray McKinley played at the park.  McKinley (1910-1995) was an American jazz drummer.  McKinley began his musical journey by taking up the drums at the age of 9 which quickly showcased a natural talent that would define his future. In addition to playing the drums he became a singer and bandleader.  He led the Major Glenn Miller Army Forces Orchestra in Europe during the war years and later lead the new Glenn Miller Orchestra in 1956 paying homeage to his earlier war years with the legendary group.  His stewardship of the orchestra continued the legacy of Miller's style of music, ensuring a new generation of listeners could experience the magic of the swing era.  Those listeners included the orchestra appearing at Midway Park. 

His rhythmic prowess left an indelible mark on the world of jazz and swing.  His career spanned several decades and his multifacted talents contributed significantly to the evolution of big band music.  The music of the late recording artist, Ray McKinley can be heard on Swing Street Radio (www.swingstreetradio.org)

You can also "Like" the Facebook page by going to www.facebook.com/SwingStreetRadio or search "Swing Street Radio" on the Facebook app.    

Mr. and Mrs. Midway Park

Michael and Janis Tinkham Walsh

 In October of 1984 Michael and Janis purchased the park from Martin Walsh. 

The name "Midway" originated when a new steamboat dock was built between existing docks at Point Whiteside and Maple Springs.  The other docks at both points were abandoned and the new dock became known as Midway.

The latest addition to Midway Park is the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel and also to be added is a Herschell Twister.  In 2010, the park created an 18 hole minature golf course.  As golfers traverse the course the sights and sounds of the minature train can be seen and heard as it circles the front part of the park passing by Route 430 and returns to the restored train station. The park is open from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

On July 1, 2016 the park officially opened their PAR (Putt-A-Round Chautauqua) minature golf course.  The local theme-inspired mini-golf course has 18 holes.  The course incorporates themes and structures inspired by Chautauqua Lake and local culture including a tribute to lake fishing the Bemus Point-Stow Ferry, the Chautauqua Institution Miller Bell Tower and the Lucille Ball comedy tradition.  

Midway Couples Reunion Hosted by Friends of Midway State Park

August 20, 2011

Audio Only by Robert Wooler 

Many couples in attendance that day enjoyed telling their stories about meeting, dating and roller skating at Midway Park in the late 1940s and early 1950s.

In 2010, articles of incorporation signed to create "Friends of Midway State Park".  A non-profit organization to support the long term mission of Midway State Park.

Midway State Park at Night

July 12, 2023

125th Anniversary

1898-2023

Photo Credit to Midway State Park Police

Princess Doraldina

At Midway State Park this gypsy woman has been handing out fortunes

for

  as long as I can remember.

GET A COMPLETE READING .. PAST-PRESENT-FUTURE

5 Cents

Princess Doraldina spent many years in the game arcade though in recent years she has been relocated to the gift shop/museum along with an original bumper car and other park memorabilia.

1948 Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel 

The Eli Bridge Company is located in Jacksonville, Illinois and was founded in 1893 by W.E. Sullivan.  When he visited the Columbian Exposition he marveled at the original Ferris Wheel.  As he took his first ride little did he know that his life was about to chage forever.  Sullivan collaborated with machinist, James H. Clements and together they began construction on their ferris wheel on March 23, 1900.  This first "Big Eli" Wheel debuted on May 23, 1900.  The ferris wheel was a great success and in 1906 Sullivan incorporated the Eli Bridge Company by taking on capital investors to mass produce his ferris wheels. The Jacksonville location included a room tall enough in which Sullivan could erect a #5 and #12 ferris wheel.  The building has had several additions since and now occupies a 76,000 square-foot facility.  Today, Eli Bridge remains a family-owned company.  Their rides can be found in amusement parks around the world, family entertainment centers, county fairs, festivals and carnivals throughout the United States.

At Midway State Park a discussion involving a project to purhase and install an Eli Bridge ferris wheel began in 2019 though was delayed due to the Covid pandemic.  Eventually, the park partnered with Friends of Midway State Park and Natural Heritage Trust to buy two more rides for the park, the Eli Bridge Ferris Wheel and a Twister ride.  The park also had help from the public to raise funds for the two rides. Midway State Park and its staff are appreciative of all the public support. 

This is the same model that used to be in the park in the 1970s.  The opportunity arose for us to acquire one, so we did. The fact that it appears to be the same model as the old wheel brings a bit of history back to the park  There will be a required height limit for the ride with children needing to be at least 48 inches tall.  It will be tall child/adult ride. As far as the Twister ride goes, the main reason there is so much more work to do is because the original manufacturer is no longer in business.  We have to have parts custom made. The Twister is an Allan Herschell ride and we believe that when the ride is up and running it will be the only one in operation in the country.

Marla Connelly, Park Manager for State Parks within Chautauqua County 

The park has never had a Twister before, but has had a collection of other Allan Herschell rides.  In the future, the park hopes to have several other rides installed including others that were historically present at the park.  The two current rides were purchased from Lakemont Park in Altoona, Pennsylvania and that park has other rides believed to make wonderful additions to our park.

Midway State Park was voted the Best Travel Destination in Chautauqua County by the readers of the Dunkirk Observer.

 

Photograph by William Fischer, Jr.

July 1, 2021

Hilton Diner

Brookville, Pennsylvania

(1937-1978)

Sherwood and Shirley Hilton established a diner down the hill on East Main Street in 1937.  In 1940, they relocated the diner downtown next to Sandt's Auto Service Station.  The original prefabricated diner was renovated in 1947 to look and feel more "streamlined". In addition to interior upgrades, the original square corners of the building were rounded off with stainless steel.  A "barrel vault" roofline and a two-sided entryway were added.  Like the Auto Service Station, the diner was open 24 hours to serve the residents of the community as well as passengers stopping along the Lakes to Sea Highway (U.S. Route 322).  Hilton's Diner stood as a symbol of Americana along Main Street until it ceased operation in 1978 and was removed from its location of 41 years.  As to where the diner is today remains a mystery. 

I am sure the residents of Brookville and certainly my husband wish Hilton's Diner still stood on Main Street, today. The Hilton Diner and all others were .. a true symbol of Americana!  If your community still has an operating diner along with a movie theatre, count yourself, lucky!

Photographed by William Fischer, Jr.

July 1, 2021

Sidenote:  My husband, Bill grew up in Brookville, PA and enjoyed going to the Hilton Diner on Main Street with his high school buddies and with his father for breakfast.  Sadly, the Hilton Diner is long gone though the memories remain forever!  The Hilton Diner story will appear on this blog in the coming days.  Stay tuned.

I can still taste the spaghetti and meatballs at the Hilton Diner in my Pennsylvania hometown!

Bill Locke

 

Happy St. Patrick's Day!

The planting of cherry trees in Washington DC originated in 1912 as a gift of friendship to the People of the United States from the People of Japan. In Japan, the flowering cherry tree or "Sakura" is an important flowering plant.  The beauty of the cherry blossom is a symbol with rich meaning in Japanese culture. For many Japanese, the blooming of the cherry blossom trees symbolizes human life, briefness and nobleness.  The Japanese love to celebrate and cherish the cherry blossoms during the limited flowering period.  Many hold 'flower watching' parties known as hanami.  Adding to their magic and mystique, sakura are usually only in full bloom for around one week.  After the period of full bloom, the small, delicate flowers start to flutter gracefully from their trees.  The blossoms are said to be the most beautiful in this final stage as the white and pink petals gently float to the ground.  

Hanami literally means "flower viewing".  Cherry blossom viewing is easy:  simply enjoy the intensity of the many blossoms by looking at a single tree or a group of trees.  

On average, DC's cherry blossoms bloom around the last week of March into the first week of April though it varies from year to year based on weather conditions. Snow, itself, doesn't have much effect on the bloom of the cherry blossoms.  It's much more about temperatures.  

The Cherry Blossom Festival: Sakura Celebration is a fascinating and informative book into one of the world's greatest festivals.  From Tokyo to Washington, D.C. these exuberant festivals celebrate the glorius springtime blooming of the ancient cherry blossom tree and its role today as an instrument of diplomacy, landscape enhancement and eternal sign of spring and romance.  

Over a million people visit Washington each year to admire the blossoming cherry trees and attend the National Cherry Blossom Festival heralding the arrival of Spring.  

https://nationalcherryblossomfestival.org/event/2024-national-cherry-blossom-festival-dates/

 More from the World of Art Deco

Art Deco, short for the French Arts is a style of visual arts, architecture and product design that first appeared in Paris in the 1910s.  It flourished in the United States and Europe uring the 1920s to early 1930s.

Entry Hall of the New Victoria Cinema

Edinburgh, Scotland

Opened in 1930

Art Nouveau Vases

Circa 1850-1924

Tiffany Ceiling Light

Circa 1895

William Moorcroft Cornflower Coffee Trio

Tiffany & Co.

Circa 1905

Art Deco Chrome Lady Lamp

French Lalique Glass

Frankart Era 1930s    

Art Deco Bedroom

Art Deco Home 

Chanin Building

New York City

Every Bit as Fabulous as Its Famous Neighbor,

the Chrysler Building

by

Architects, Sloan and Robertson

 

Oscar

How This Famous Statue Got Its Name

There are several theories, but one famous filmmaker played the decisive role. The Academy Awards began with an inauspicious start, but the honors quickly became very important to the Hollywood community.  So important, in fact, the coveted gold statue soon needed a nickname!  Eventually, everyone settled on Oscar, but it's still not entirely clear who first named it, Oscar.  

The most frequently cited theory is that Academy librarian, Margaret Herrick said upon seeing the statue that it looked like her Uncle Oscar.  Her uncle must have apparently been in pretty good shape!  Another theory credits actress Bette Davis, who claimed to have coined the name after her first husband, bandleader Harmon Oscar Nelson, Jr.

Whatever the origin the moniker caught on, but remained informal until 1934 when Walt Disney described the award as an Oscar in his acceptance speech for The Three Little Pigs.  In his column about the ceremony, newspaperman Sidney Skolsky used "Oscar" in print for the first time.  Uncle Walt's reward for making the name official was 22 competitive Oscars over the course of his career which is a record that remains unsurpassed.  The Mouse had roared and the rest was history!

The statuettes are solid bronze and plated in 24-karat gold.  Due to the metal shortage during WWII, Oscars were made of painted plaster for three years.  Following the war, the Academy invited recipients to redeem the plaster figures for gold-plated metal ones.

All the Locations Oscar has Called, Home.

As Hollywood's biggest night, the Oscars are all about glitz, glamour and celebrating the past year in movies.

When they began in 1929, they were far more of an insider affair, a celebratory banquet rathan than a presenting ceremony.  As their allure grew and they were broadcast, first via radio then via televsion so did the trappings of their banquet hall.  Over a dozen different locations have played host to the Oscars.  In 2021, the Academy Awards added a new space to the mix with the announcement that Union Station would play home to portions of the ceremony.  Through the years many other locations have rolled out the famous red carpet. 

The Roosevelt Hotel

Los Angeles

The Roosevelt Hotel, which still stands today and often plays host to premieres and glitzy Hollywood events, holds the honor of being the location of the very first Academy Awards (the nickname "Oscar" hadn't been coined yet).  The banquet was held in the hotel's Blossom Ballroom and was open only to Academy members.  Douglas Fairbanks was the host and the ceremony was held three months  after the winners were already announced!  It was at this ceremony that Clara Bow became the first ever Best Picture winner for the war drama, Wings.  The business of handing out the statues only took 15 minutes which is a far cry from today's marathon award shows!

Ambassador Hotel

Los Angeles

The Ambassador Hotel, demolished in 2005 and replaced by a school, was once a Hollywood hotspot and home to the famed nightclub, Cocoanut Grove where performers like Frank Sinatra and Judy Garland entertained.  In 1930, the second ceremony was held within the Cocoanut Grove nightclub and it was the first ceremony to be broadcast in a one-hour live special on a Los Angeles radio station.  From 1930 to 1943, six Academy Awards banquets were held at the Ambassador.  At this location trailblazing screenwriter, Frances Marion became the first writer to win two Academy Awards and the Oscars had their first tie between Wallace Beery and Fredric March for Best Actor in 1932. The 1940 ceremony also prompted the Academy to transition to secret sealed envelopes after the L.A. Times published the names of the winners before the event!

The Ambassador was also where Gone with the Wind set records at the 1940 ceremony seeing the milestone of Hattie McDaniel's Oscar win.  McDaniel's won for her portrayal of Mammy, Scarlett O'Hara's feisty house slave.  

There is much more to share with my readers regarding Hattie McDaniel therefore I have chosen to publish a continuing article about her life and acting career that includes more about her appearance at the 12th Annual Academy Awards ceremony where she was the only black woman in the room!  

Biltmore Hotel

Los Angeles

The historic hotel opened its doors in 1923.  The Biltmore Bowl, a ballroom complete with a stage was the site of the Academy Awards eight times from 1931 to 1942.  The hotel, still famed for its art deco architecture, has multiple ballrooms with ties to Oscar history.  The Crystal Ballroom was the site of a 1927 luncheon where the Academy was founded.  It was also here that MGM art director, Cedric Gibbons first sketched the design for the Oscar statuette on one of the hotel's linen napkins.  Luise Rainer made Oscar history at the Biltmore becoming the first actor to win back-to-back Oscars.  It was an accomplishment repeated only one year later by Spencer Tracy.  

Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Los Angeles

Grauman's Chinese Theatre is a Hollywood icon, home to countless movie premieres and the famed open area in front of the theatre where stars have immortalized their hands and footprints in cement.  It was also home to the Oscars from 1944-1946.  The 1944 ceremony was the 16th Academy Awards and marked the first time the ceremony was held in a large public venue pivoting away from the original banquet format.  The beloved classic Casablanca won Best Picture at the 1944 ceremony.  This was the first year the Oscars were covered by network radio and also the beginning of the supporting actor and actress winners receiving full size statuettes.  1944 also marked the last time there were 10 Best Picture nominees until 2009. 

Shrine Auditorium

Los Angeles

The 1947 and 1948 Oscars took place in downtown Los Angeles at the Shrine Auditorium, a venue designed in the iconic architecture of the Moorish Revival style.  Besides the Academy Awards the Shrine has hosted many prestigious events such as the Grammy's and the People's Choice Awards. The venue has the single largest proscenium style stage with freestanding balcony in North America with some 6,300 seats.  The Shrine Auditorium opened its doors in 1926. 

Marquis Theatre

Los Angeles

For one year only, the Academy moved the ceremony to their own private theatre on Melrose Avenue.  The 21st Academy Awards were held at this location on March 24, 1949.  It was a ceremony filled with firsts including the first non-Hollywoood produced Best Picture winner, Laurence Olivier for Hamlet and the introduction of the Best Costume Design category.  The Marquis opened November 11, 1925. AMPAS arranged to buy the building in December 1945.  They would soon take down the art deco marquee and rename the theatre the Academy Award Theatre.  It was their offices and the site of screenings.  

The Marquis seen in 1951. 

A neon across the entrance identifies it as the

Academy Award Theater.

Pantages Theater

Los Angeles

Beginning in 1950, the Oscars kicked off an 11-year run at what was when known ass the RKO Pantages Theatre.  This Art Deco marve once part of the famous Pantages movie palace circuit has since been converted for theatrical productions and hosts national tours of productions like Hamilton. The first televised Oscars took place here in 1953 (with joint presentations from New York City).  It was hosted by Bob Hope who presided over the event a record 19 times! For their first time on television, the Oscar came complete with an upset in the Best Picture category when Cecil B. DeMille's The Greatest How on Earth beat heavy favorite High Noon.  In 1960, it was here that Ben-Hur set the record for most Oscar wins ever, which has been met twice though never broken.

NBC International Theatre

New York City

In 1953, the Oscars offered their first ever bi-coastal broadcast, airing live on television (for the first time) from both Los Angeles' Pantages Theater and New York's International Theatre in Columbus Circle.  Frederic March acted as emcee forthe NYC proceedings with many nominated Broadway actors going straight from their theatres to the broadcast since it didn't beging until 10 p.m. Eastern Time.  The theatre, which was owned by NBC, was torn down not long after this broadcast. 

NBC Century Theatre

New York City

The Oscars remained a bi-coastal affair from 1954 to 1957 and it was this theatre that served as the New York City hub for the broadcast.  It was here that two of the biggest actresses of the 1950s accepted their Academy Awards.  In 1954, newcomer Audrey Hepburn won for her role as royalty playing hooky in Roman Holiday.  The 1955 awards honored an entirely different type of performance with actress Eva Marie Saint's hyper-realistic performance in On the Waterfront.  

Santa Monica Civic Auditorium

Santa Monica, California

The Academy Awards reached their furthest West destination beginning in 1961 when they moved to Santa Monica.  The newly built Civic Auditorium played host to the Oscars until 1968.  The Apartment became the last black-and-white film to win Best Picture for over three decades here. In 1966, the ceremony was broadcast in color for the first time from sunny Santa Monica.  This was also the site of the infamous 1963 Oscar spat between Joan Crawford and Bette Davis where Crawford upstaged Davis in the midst of her What Ever Happened to Baby Jane? nomination (this moment and all that led up to it was also recreated by Ryan Murphy's Feud: Bette and Joan).  The 1968 awards were postponed from April 8 to April due to the assassination of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. 

Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

Los Angeles

Beginning in 1969, the Oscars found a new space at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, home to the LA Opera and one of the biggest stages in the world.  The ceremony was held every year through 1987 and then it alternated with the Shrine Auditorium for another dozen years from 1988-2001.  The 41st Academy Awards in 1961 were the first to be broadcast, internationally.  That year also marked Stanley Kubrick's only Oscar win for the visual effects of 2001: A Space Odyssey and a rare tie (the only one in the Best Actress category) between Katharine Hepburn for The Lion in Winter and Barbra Streisand in Funny Girl.  The 1999 ceremony was the final one to be held here and it was at that Oscars where Shakespeare in Love famously upset Saving Private Ryan for Best Picture.

Shrine Auditorium

Los Angeles

The Oscars returned to the Shrine for the 1988 and 1989 ceremonies before alternating between here and the Dorothy Chandler until 2001.  During the Academy Awards' second stinit at the Shrine, it served as host for the 70th Oscars in 1998 where Titanic won an epice 11 Oscars, tying with Ben-Hur for most wins ever (which would be matched once more by The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King in 2003).  Due to Titanic's immense box office popularity, that became the highest-rated broadcast in Oscar history. 

Dolby Theatre

Los Angeles

The Dolby Theatre, formerly known as the Kodak Theatre, was designed specifically with the Oscar ceremony in mind and has played home to the Academy Awards since it opened in 2001.  The Dolby shared hosting duties with Los Angeles' Union Station in 2021 marking the first time in two decades the ceremony diverged from what has been dubbed the Oscars' permanent home.  Numerous memorable modern Oscar moments have occurred here including the Lord of the Rings record-tying 11 wins and the infamous envelope mix-up that led to La La Land being mistakenly named Best Picture before the record was corrected to honor Moonlight.  Presumably, after the COVID disruption, the Oscars will continue here for many years to come! 

The 96th Academy Awards

March 10

Jimmy Kimmel, Host

Best Picture Nominations 

American Fiction

Anatomy of a Fall

Barbie

The Holdovers

Killers of the Flower Moon

Maestro

Oppenheimer

Past Lives

Poor Things

The Zone of Interest

Peter O'Toole and Glenn Close jointly hold the record for most nominations in the acting categories without a win, with eight; followed by Richard Burton with seven; Deborah Kerr, Thelma Ritter and Amy Adams for six.  Both O'Toole and Kerr did receive the Academy Honorary Award. Another name who received this award was Fred Astaire. 

The most recognized trophy in the world.

The Oscar statuette has stood on the mantels 

of the greatest filmmakers in history since 1929.

One final thought on the subject of Oscar:  All Oscar winners since 1950 have been required to sign an agreement which states if they wish to sell their statue, they have to offer it to the Academy first for $1.00

The first and possibly the only non-human to win an Oscar.  At the 5th Academy Awards in 1932. Mickey received his first Academy Award nomination for Mickey's Orphans.  Walt Disney also received an honorary Academy Award for the creation of 

Mickey Mouse.