Reel Old Movies

The 2025 Academy Awards are Sunday, March 2, but the first decades of Oscar honors were fertile ground for history-making movies.  Take a look at a few of the best, some of the firsts and a couple of the mosts when it comes to the Academy Awards' golden statuette and the Golden Age of Hollywood.  The first best picture nominees The first Academy Awards took place in 1929, honoring movies made from mid-1927 to 1928.  It was also the only year that two categories for "best" picture were included: One was for "Unique and Artistic Picture" and the other for "Outstanding Picture." The Artistic Picture category was dropped the following year, and the Outstanding Picture would evolve into the Best Picture category today. The movies nominated in each of the categories included: Outstanding Picture: "Wings" ** Won "The Racket" "7th Heaven" Unique and Artistic Picture: "Sunrise"  ** Won ( Watch for free ) "Chang...

From understated flapper dresses to flamboyant frocks, the stars' fashion throughout almost 100 years of Academy Awards continues to inspire. As stars and movie fans gear up for 2024’s Oscar ceremonies on March 10, look back at some of the attire worn at the earliest Academy Awards ceremonies through the 1970s, featuring fashion favorites such as Audrey Hepburn and Diahann Carroll. And because Edith Head and Givenchy aren’t designing custom creations for the masses, we’ve rounded up a few dresses inspired by the glamorous ladies of Old Hollywood so you’ll always be ready for your close-up! Best, first, most: Oscar trivia from the Golden Age of Hollywood Audrey Hepburn in 1965 Audrey Hepburn lived up to her elegant reputation in this white satin Givenchy-designed gown at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1965, where she was a presenter. “My Fair Lady,” in which she starred with Rex Harrison, won for best picture. (Photo: Getty Images) A dress inspired by Hepburn’s … More dress details ...

Tinseltown celebrates movies at the 2023 Academy Awards on March 12, and if you can't get enough movie magic, consider a few more from the Golden Age of Hollywood.  Whether you want to pair up past and present for a double feature at home or are just looking for recommendations similar to your favorites, here are a few movie classic suggestions based on this year's Best Picture nominees.  What else would you suggest? Share with @ReelOldMovies on Instagram 2023 Best Picture nominee: "Top Gun: Maverick" Classic movie you might like: 1927's "Wings" The first Academy Award winner for best picture, “Wings” is the extravagant World War I production that is part drama, part comedy, part romance. This silent film from almost 100 years ago also features aerial dogfights, male bonding and a sassy and sexy leading lady.  2023 Best Picture nominee: "The Banshees of Inisherin"  Classic movie you might like: 1941's "How Green Was My Valley" Fr...

The 2023 Academy Awards are Sunday, March 12, but the first decades of Oscar honors were fertile ground for history-making movies.  Take a look at a few of the best, some of the firsts and a couple of the mosts when it comes to the Academy Awards' golden statuette and the Golden Age of Hollywood.  The first best picture nominees The first Academy Awards took place in 1929, honoring movies made from mid-1927 to 1928.  It was also the only year that two categories for "best" picture were included: One was for "Unique and Artistic Picture" and the other for "Outstanding Picture." The Artistic Picture category was dropped the following year, and the Outstanding Picture would evolve into the Best Picture category today. The movies nominated in each of the categories included: Outstanding Picture: "Wings" ** Won "The Racket" "7th Heaven" Unique and Artistic Picture: "Sunrise"  ** Won ( Watch for free ) "Chang...

From understated flapper dresses to flamboyant frocks, the stars' fashion throughout almost 100 years of Academy Awards continues to inspire. As stars and movie fans gear up for 2024’s Oscar ceremonies on March 10, look back at some of the attire worn at the earliest Academy Awards ceremonies through the 1970s, featuring fashion favorites such as Audrey Hepburn and Diahann Carroll. And because Edith Head and Givenchy aren’t designing custom creations for the masses, we’ve rounded up a few dresses inspired by the glamorous ladies of Old Hollywood so you’ll always be ready for your close-up! Audrey Hepburn in 1965 Audrey Hepburn lived up to her elegant reputation in this white satin Givenchy-designed gown at the Academy Awards ceremony in 1965, where she was a presenter. “My Fair Lady,” in which she starred with Rex Harrison, won for best picture. (Photo: Getty Images) A dress inspired by Hepburn’s … More dress details and where to buy Audrey Hepburn in 1954 So nice, she's on the...