04-14-2025 - on This Moment in Film History
Apr 14, 2025•2 min
Episode description
On April 14, 1927, the first-ever Academy Awards ceremony, also known as the Oscars, was held at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel in Los Angeles, California. The event was a private dinner with just 270 people in attendance, and the tickets cost $5 each (equivalent to about $77 in 2025).
The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes, and the winners had already been announced three months earlier. There were 12 categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor/Actress. The first-ever Best Picture winner was the silent war epic "Wings," which was a major box office success and groundbreaking for its aerial combat sequences.
German actor Emil Jannings won the Best Actor award for his performances in "The Way of All Flesh" and "The Last Command," while Janet Gaynor won Best Actress for her roles in "Seventh Heaven," "Street Angel," and "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans."
The most memorable moment of the night was when Charlie Chaplin received a special honorary award for "versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing, and producing." He received a standing ovation from the crowd, cementing his status as one of the most beloved figures in Hollywood.
This first Academy Awards ceremony set the stage for what would become the most prestigious and anticipated event in the film industry, honoring the greatest achievements in cinema each year. Over the decades, the Oscars have become a global phenomenon, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the glamorous red carpet arrivals and the emotional acceptance speeches of the winners.
The ceremony lasted only 15 minutes, and the winners had already been announced three months earlier. There were 12 categories, including Best Picture, Best Director, and Best Actor/Actress. The first-ever Best Picture winner was the silent war epic "Wings," which was a major box office success and groundbreaking for its aerial combat sequences.
German actor Emil Jannings won the Best Actor award for his performances in "The Way of All Flesh" and "The Last Command," while Janet Gaynor won Best Actress for her roles in "Seventh Heaven," "Street Angel," and "Sunrise: A Song of Two Humans."
The most memorable moment of the night was when Charlie Chaplin received a special honorary award for "versatility and genius in acting, writing, directing, and producing." He received a standing ovation from the crowd, cementing his status as one of the most beloved figures in Hollywood.
This first Academy Awards ceremony set the stage for what would become the most prestigious and anticipated event in the film industry, honoring the greatest achievements in cinema each year. Over the decades, the Oscars have become a global phenomenon, with millions of viewers tuning in to watch the glamorous red carpet arrivals and the emotional acceptance speeches of the winners.
For the best experience, listen in Metacast app for iOS or Android
Open in Metacast