Oscar in the time of war

America was at war and Going My Way starring Bing Crosby was the night’s big winner. It was March 15, 1945, and the 17th annual Academy Awards at Grauman’s Chinese Theater crackled with patriotic speeches and pro-war fervor.

Last Sunday night, Oscar celebrated its 75th anniversary next door at the Kodak Theatre, America was again at war, but the proceedings were by no means wrapped in the flag, as evidenced by filmmaker Michael Moore’s show-stopping acceptance speech.

To a mixture of boos and applause, Moore was harshly critical of President George W. Bush and the U.S. war effort, shouting "Shame on you, Mr. Bush. Shame on you" as the orchestra played him off.

Controversy never surfaced in 1945, the year I began covering the Oscars. Since Pearl Harbor, America had been through three years of intense warfare, and support for the U.S. military campaign never waned.

Guests at Sunday’s post-Oscar Governor’s Ball had mixed reactions about Moore’s outburst. Saul Zantz, Oscar winner as producer of One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, Amadeus and The English Patient, said Moore "made a fool of himself. He’s entitled to his own opinion, but he chose the wrong forum."

Cliff Robertson, best actor winner for Charly, said, "Sure he was over the top. But that’s his stock in trade." Even though it was wartime, security at the 1945 ceremony consisted of a handful of police to deal with traffic and cheering fans. Back then, terrorism was an undiscovered word. For the 75th awards, a small army of security officers protected the event.

During World War II, the Academy abandoned festive dinner parties, tuxes and gowns. The men wore business suits, the women suits or cocktail dresses. Best actress winner Ingrid Bergman wore the same dress in 1945 as she did the previous year.

This year’s abbreviated red carpet still offered plenty of style, with celebrities donning a mix of bold and dark colors and not a last-year’s gown in sight.

Bob Hope accepted the challenge to emcee the 1945 show: "Anything to avoid paying the $12 ticket fee." Sunday’s ceremony ticket cost $150; the Governor’s Ball went for $750.

Hope kept the audience laughing with his usual style. During Bing Crosby’s acceptance speech for best actor in Going My Way, Hope made faces behind him. Crosby continued his delivery oblivious to the antics.

When the Paramount boss claimed the best picture Oscar for the same movie, Hope took out his handkerchief and shined his boss’s shoes on stage.

This year, Steve Martin bravely continued Oscar’s tradition of hosting humor. Although he dispensed with any wild and crazy stuff as part of the show’s softer tone, Martin’s sardonic comments about the nominees drew hearty laughs from an audience that seemed thankful for a respite from the latest headlines.

This year, the Oscarcast mercifully ended on time, but it still went three hours.

In 1945, Academy president John Cromwell delivered all the technical and so-called lesser awards in quick order. Then Hope took the stage for the majors and two special awards. The entire show lasted 90 minutes.

Those were the days.

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Veteran correspondent Bob Thomas has covered the Academy Awards for The Associated Press for 58 years, beginning during World War II.