50th Academy Awards

50th Academy Awards
Official poster promoting the 50th Academy Awards in 1978.
Official poster
DateApril 3, 1978
SiteDorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles, California, U.S.
Hosted byBob Hope
Produced byHoward W. Koch
Directed byMarty Pasetta
Highlights
Best PictureAnnie Hall
Most awardsStar Wars (6)
Most nominationsJulia, Star Wars & The Turning Point (11)
TV in the United States
NetworkABC
Duration2 hours, 55 minutes[1]
Ratings48.5 million
36.3% (Nielsen ratings)

The 50th Academy Awards ceremony, presented by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS), honored films released in 1977 and took place on April 3, 1978, at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 22 categories. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Howard W. Koch and was directed by Marty Pasetta.[2] Actor and comedian Bob Hope hosted the show for the 19th time.[3] He first presided over the 12th ceremony held in 1940 and had last served as a co-host of the 47th ceremony held in 1975.[4] Five days earlier, in a ceremony held at The Beverly Hilton in Beverly Hills, California, on March 29, the Academy Scientific and Technical Awards were presented by hosts Kirk Douglas and Gregory Peck.[5]

Annie Hall won four awards, including Best Picture. Other winners included Star Wars with six awards, Julia with three, and Close Encounters of the Third Kind, The Goodbye Girl, Gravity Is My Enemy, I'll Find a Way, A Little Night Music, Madame Rosa, The Sand Castle, Who Are the DeBolts? And Where Did They Get Nineteen Kids?, and You Light Up My Life with one. In addition, Close Encounters of the Third Kind and Star Wars were each presented with an additional Special Award. The telecast garnered 48.5 million viewers in the United States.

  1. ^ Morrison, Williams (April 5, 1978). "Worm-Like Golden Oscar Finally Turns". The News & Observer. p. 10.
  2. ^ Osborne 2013, p. 413
  3. ^ Lang, Derek J. (November 11, 2011). "Billy Crystal Returning to Host the Oscars". NBC News. Retrieved March 23, 2022.
  4. ^ Dorsey, Tom (April 3, 1978). "Oscar: The Story". Courier Journal. p. C1.
  5. ^ "Past Scientific & Technical Awards Ceremonies". Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Archived from the original on February 13, 2014. Retrieved July 31, 2013.