69th Academy Awards

{{oscars short description|films-year=1996}}

{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2022}}

{{Infobox film awards

| number = 69

| award = Academy Awards

| image = 69th Academy Awards.jpg

| caption = Official poster

| date = March 24, 1997

| site = Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles, California, U.S.

| host = Billy Crystal

| producer = Gil Cates

| director = Louis J. Horvitz

| best_picture = The English Patient

| most_wins = The English Patient (9)

| most_nominations = The English Patient (12)

| network = ABC

| duration = 3 hours, 35 minutes{{cite news |last1=Richmond |first1=Ray |title=Review: 'The 69th Annual Academy Awards' |url=https://variety.com/1997/tv/reviews/the-69th-annual-academy-awards-1200449100/ |access-date=July 30, 2014 |work=Variety |date=March 24, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201735/http://variety.com/1997/tv/reviews/the-69th-annual-academy-awards-1200449100/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

| ratings = 40.08 million
27.49% (Nielsen ratings)

| last = 68th

| next = 70th

}}

The 69th Academy Awards ceremony, organized by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (AMPAS) took place on March 24, 1997, at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles beginning at 6:00 p.m. PST / 9:00 p.m. EST. During the ceremony, AMPAS presented the Academy Awards (commonly referred to as Oscars) in 24 categories honoring films released in 1996. The ceremony, televised in the United States by ABC, was produced by Gil Cates, and directed by Louis J. Horvitz.{{cite news |last1=Williams |first1=Jeannie |title=Crystal takes on role of Oscar host again |work=USA Today |date=November 19, 1996}}{{cite news |last1=Hindes |first1=Andrew |title=Horvitz set to direct Oscar telecast |url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/horvitz-set-to-direct-oscarcast-1117466566/ |access-date=July 24, 2014 |work=Variety |date=December 19, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812125344/http://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/horvitz-set-to-direct-oscarcast-1117466566/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} Actor Billy Crystal hosted the show for the fifth time. He first presided over the 62nd ceremony held in 1990 and had last hosted the 65th ceremony held in 1993.{{cite magazine |last1=Sinclair |first1=Tom |title=Monitor |url=https://www.ew.com/ew/article/0,,295220,00.html |access-date=July 22, 2014 |magazine=Entertainment Weekly |date=November 29, 1996 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727000423/http://www.ew.com/ew/article/0%2C%2C295220%2C00.html |archive-date=July 27, 2014}} Three weeks earlier, in a ceremony held at the Regent Beverly Wilshire Hotel in Beverly Hills, California, on March 1, the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement were presented by host Helen Hunt.{{cite news |title=Past Scientific & Technical Awards Ceremonies |url=http://www.oscars.org/awards/scitech/pastawards.html |access-date=July 31, 2013 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140213185729/http://www.oscars.org/awards/scitech/pastawards.html |archive-date=February 13, 2014}}

The English Patient won nine awards, including Best Picture.{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=James |title=An 'English' Epic |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-25-mn-41851-story.html |access-date=July 21, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 25, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084755/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-25/news/mn-41851_1_english-patient |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}{{cite news |last1=Thomas |first1=Bob |title=Independent Films Take Major Honors |work=Green Bay Press-Gazette |date=March 25, 1997 |page=A-1}} Other winners included Fargo with two awards and Breathing Lessons: The Life and Work of Mark O'Brien, Dear Diary, Emma, Evita, The Ghost and the Darkness, Independence Day, Jerry Maguire, Kolya, The Nutty Professor, Quest, Shine, Sling Blade, and When We Were Kings with one.

Winners and nominees

The nominees for the 69th Academy Awards were announced on February 11, 1997, at the Samuel Goldwyn Theater in Beverly Hills, California, by Arthur Hiller, president of the Academy, and actress Mira Sorvino.{{cite news |title=Oscar watch |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/oscar-watch-88-1117435978/ |access-date=November 1, 2013 |work=Variety |date=February 4, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812120255/http://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/oscar-watch-88-1117435978/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} The English Patient received the most nominations with twelve; Fargo and Shine came in second with seven apiece.{{cite news |last1=Dudek |first1=Duane |title=Oscar Declares Independent's Day 'English Patient' benefits as academy turns the spotlight on outsiders with artistic integrity |work=Milwaukee Journal Sentinel |date=February 12, 1997|page=8}}{{cite news |last1=Bates |first1=James |last2=Puig |first2=Claudia |title=Independents Day for Oscars |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-02-12-mn-27914-story.html |access-date=July 22, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=February 12, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812084317/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-02-12/news/mn-27914_1_independents-day |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

The winners were announced during the awards ceremony on March 24, 1997.{{cite news |last1=Gray |first1=Tim |title='English' Channels 9 Oscars |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/english-channels-9-oscars-1117342227/ |access-date=February 12, 2016 |work=Variety |date=March 25, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160216045046/http://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/english-channels-9-oscars-1117342227/ |archive-date=February 16, 2016}}{{cite news |last1=Van Gelder |first1=Lawrence |title='English Patient' Dominates Oscars With Nine, Including Best Picture |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/25/movies/english-patient-dominates-oscars-with-nine-including-best-picture.html |access-date=February 11, 2016 |work=The New York Times |date=March 25, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160306062844/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/25/movies/english-patient-dominates-oscars-with-nine-including-best-picture.html |archive-date=March 6, 2016}} Saul Zaentz became the third person to produce three Best Picture winners, having previously produced One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest and Amadeus.{{cite news |last1=Saperstein |first1=Pat |last2=Natale |first2=Richard |title=Oscar-Winning Producer Saul Zaentz Dies at 92 |url=https://variety.com/2014/film/news/oscar-winning-producer-saul-zaentz-dies-at-92-1201025366/ |access-date=July 29, 2014 |work=Variety |date=January 3, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140822074151/http://variety.com/2014/film/news/oscar-winning-producer-saul-zaentz-dies-at-92-1201025366/ |archive-date=August 22, 2014}} He also became the seventh individual to receive an Oscar and the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award in the same year.{{cite news |last1=Hindes |first1=Andrew |title=Thalberg honor goes to Zaentz |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/thalberg-honor-goes-to-zaentz-1117433573/ |access-date=July 21, 2014 |work=Variety |date=January 15, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812120242/http://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/thalberg-honor-goes-to-zaentz-1117433573/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} Best Actress winner Frances McDormand was the first person to win for a role in a film directed by their spouse.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=393}} Best Original Musical or Comedy Score winner Rachel Portman became the first female winner for composing a musical score.

= Awards =

{{multiple image

| align = right

| direction = vertical

| total_width = 150

| image1 = Saul Zaentz with Oscar 1976 (cropped).jpg

| caption1 = Saul Zaentz, Best Picture winner

| image2 =

| caption2 = Anthony Minghella, Best Directing winner

| image3 = Geoffrey Rush Final Portrait Red Carpet Berlinale 2017 01 (cropped).jpg

| caption3 = Geoffrey Rush, Best Actor winner

| image4 = Frances McDormand 2015 (cropped).jpg

| caption4 = Frances McDormand, Best Actress winner

| image5 = Cuba Gooding Jr 2022 (cropped).jpg

| caption5 = Cuba Gooding Jr., Best Supporting Actor winner

| image6 = Juliette Binoche, 2022 (cropped).jpg

| caption6 = Juliette Binoche, Best Supporting Actress winner

| image7 = Coen brothers Cannes 2015 2 (CROPPED).jpg

| caption7 = Coen brothers, Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen winners

| image8 = Billy Bob Thornton 2017 (cropped).jpg

| caption8 = Billy Bob Thornton, Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published winner

| image9 = Jan Sverak.jpg

| caption9 = Jan Svěrák, Best Foreign Language Film winner

| image10 = LeonGastJun10.jpg

| caption10 = Leon Gast, Best Documentary Feature co-winner

| image11 = David Sonenberg.jpg

| caption11 = David Sonenberg, Best Documentary Feature co-winner

| image12 = Jessica Yu, her mom and Julie Soo (DSC 5113) (cropped).jpg

| caption12 = Jessica Yu, Best Documentary Short Subject winner

| image13 = David Frankel Masterclass (6350678401) (cropped).jpg

| caption13 = David Frankel, Best Live Action Short Film co-winner

| image14 = GYared Cannes 2017.jpg

| caption14 = Gabriel Yared, Best Original Dramatic Score winner

| image15 = 2006 Kennedy Center honoree Andrew Lloyd Webber.jpg

| caption15 = Andrew Lloyd Webber, Best Original Song co-winner

| image16 = Tim Rice, 1 December 2020.jpg

| caption16 = Tim Rice, Best Original Song co-winner

| image17 = Walter Murch.jpg

| caption17 = Walter Murch, Best Sound co-winner and Best Film Editing winner

| image18 = Rick Baker at Saturn Awards.jpg

| caption18 = Rick Baker, Best Makeup co-winner

}}

Winners are listed first, highlighted in boldface, and indicated with a double-dagger ({{double-dagger}}).{{cite news |url=http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1997 |title=The 69th Academy Awards (1997) Nominees and Winners |access-date=October 23, 2011 |publisher=Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141109082132/http://www.oscars.org/oscars/ceremonies/1997 |archive-date=November 9, 2014}}

class=wikitable
style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Picture}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Directing}}

style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Actor in a Leading Role}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Actress in a Leading Role}}

style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Actor in a Supporting Role}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Actress in a Supporting Role}}

style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Writing (Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen)}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Writing (Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published)}}

style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Foreign Language Film}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Documentary (Feature)}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Documentary (Short Subject)}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Short Film (Live Action)}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Short Film (Animated)}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Music (Original Dramatic Score)}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Music (Original Musical or Comedy Score)}}

| style="vertical-align:top; width:50%;"|

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Music (Original Song)}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Sound Effects Editing}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Sound}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Art Direction}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Cinematography}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Makeup}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Costume Design}}

valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Film Editing}}

| valign="top" |

{{Award category|#F9EFAA|Best Visual Effects}}

= Honorary Award =

  • To Michael Kidd in recognition of his services to the art of the dance in the art of the screen.{{cite news |last1=Hindes |first1=Andrew |title=Academy to honor Kidd |url=https://variety.com/1997/film/news/academy-to-honor-kidd-1117433274/ |access-date=July 21, 2014 |work=Variety |date=January 16, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812120245/https://variety.com/1997/film/news/academy-to-honor-kidd-1117433274/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

= Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award =

= Films with multiple nominations and awards =

{{col-begin|width=80%}}

{{col-1-of-2}}

The following seventeen films received multiple nominations:

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col" width="55" | Nominations

! scope="col" align="center" | Film

12

| The English Patient

rowspan=2| 7

| Fargo

Shine
rowspan=3| 5

| Evita

Jerry Maguire
Secrets & Lies
4

| Hamlet

rowspan=10| 2

| The Crucible

Emma
Ghosts of Mississippi
Independence Day
Michael Collins
The Mirror Has Two Faces
The People vs. Larry Flynt
The Portrait of a Lady
Sling Blade
Twister

{{col-2-of-2}}

The following two films received multiple awards:

class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align: center;"
scope="col" width="55" | Awards

! scope="col" align="center" | Film

9

| The English Patient

2

| Fargo

{{col-end}}

Presenters and performers

The following individuals, in order of appearance, presented awards or performed musical numbers.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=102}}

= Presenters =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" rowspan=2 border="2" cellpadding="4" style="text-align: left; background: #f6e39c"
scope="col" width="195" | Name(s)

! scope="col" align="center" | Role

{{sortname|Randy|Thomas|nolink=1}}

| Announcer for the 69th annual Academy Awards

{{sortname|Arthur|Hiller}} (AMPAS president)

| Gave opening remarks welcoming guests to the awards ceremony

{{sortname|Mira|Sorvino}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actor

{{sortname|Sandra|Bullock}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Art Direction

{{sortname|Steve|Martin}}

| Presenter of the film Jerry Maguire on the Best Picture segment

{{sortname|Juliette|Binoche}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Costume Design

Beavis
Butt-Head (Voiced by Mike Judge)

| Presenters of the award Best Sound Effects Editing

{{sortname|Courtney|Love}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Makeup

{{sortname|Winona|Ryder}}

| Presenter of the "Togetherness and the Movies" montage

{{sortname|Kevin|Spacey}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Supporting Actress

{{sortname|Claire|Danes}}

| Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "That Thing You Do!"

{{sortname|Holly|Hunter}}

| Presenter of the film Fargo on the Best Picture segment

{{sortname|Chris|Farley}}
David Spade

| Presenters of the awards for Best Live Action Short Film and Best Animated Short Film

{{sortname|Julie|Andrews}}

| Presenter of the Academy Honorary Award to Michael Kidd

{{sortname|Helen|Hunt}}

| Presenter of the segment of the Academy Awards for Technical Achievement

{{sortname|Tommy Lee|Jones}}
Will Smith

| Presenters of the award Best Documentary Short Subject and Best Documentary Feature

{{sortname|Jim|Carrey}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Visual Effects

{{sortname|Chris|O'Donnell}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Sound

{{sortname|Nicole|Kidman}}

| Presenter of the Best Film editing montage and dance number and the award for Best Film Editing

{{sortname|Debbie|Reynolds}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Original Musical or Comedy Score

{{sortname|Gregory|Hines}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Original Dramatic Score

{{sortname|Glenn|Close}}

| Presenter of the film Shine on the Best Picture segment and introducer of the musical performance by David Helfgott

{{sortname|Tim|Robbins}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Cinematography

{{sortname|Salma|Hayek}}

| Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "For the First Time"

{{sortname|Michael|Douglas}}

| Presenter of the Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award to Saul Zaentz

{{sortname|Sigourney|Weaver}}

| Presenter of the film The English Patient on the Best Picture segment

{{sortname|Kristin Scott|Thomas}}
Jack Valenti

| Presenter of the award Best Foreign Language Film

{{sortname|Jennifer|Lopez}}

| Introducer of the performance of Best Original Song nominee "Because You Loved Me"

{{sortname|Angela|Bassett}}

| Presenter of the In Memoriam tribute

{{sortname|Goldie|Hawn}}
Diane Keaton
Bette Midler

| Presenters of the award for Best Original Song

{{sortname|Kenneth|Branagh}}

| Presenter of the "Shakespeare and the Movies" montage

{{sortname|Jodie|Foster}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Screenplay Based on Material Previously Produced or Published and Best Screenplay Written Directly for the Screen

{{sortname|Andie|MacDowell}}

| Presenter of the film Secrets & Lies on the Best Picture segment

{{sortname|Nicolas|Cage}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Actress

{{sortname|Susan|Sarandon}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Actor

{{sortname|Mel|Gibson}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Director

{{sortname|Al|Pacino}}

| Presenter of the award for Best Picture

= Performers =

class="wikitable plainrowheaders sortable" rowspan=2 border="2" cellpadding="4" style="text-align: left; background: #f6e39c"
scope="col" width="195" | Name(s)

! scope="col" align="center" | Role

! scope="col" align="center" | Performed

{{sortname|Bill|Conti}}

| Musical arranger and conductor

| Orchestral

{{sortname|Billy|Crystal}}

| Performer

| Opening number:
Secrets & Lies (to the tune of The Brady Bunch theme song),
The English Patient (to the tune of "Wouldn't It Be Loverly" from My Fair Lady),
Jerry Maguire (to the tune of "Victory March"),
Shine (to the tune of "Flight of the Bumblebee"), and
Fargo (to the tune of "My Kind of Town" from Robin and the 7 Hoods){{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=109}}

{{sortnameMadonna}}

| Performer

| "You Must Love Me" from Evita

{{sortname|The|Wonders|nolink=1}}

| Performers

| "That Thing You Do!" from That Thing You Do!

{{sortname|Celine|Dion}}
{{sortname|Arturo|Sandoval}}

| Performers

| "I Finally Found Someone" from The Mirror Has Two Faces

{{sortname|Michael|Flatley}}
Cast of Lord of the Dance

| Performers

| Best Film Editing montage

{{sortname|David|Helfgott}}

| Performer

| "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov

{{sortname|Kenny|Loggins}}

| Performer

| "For the First Time" from One Fine Day

{{sortname|Celine|Dion|nolink=1}}

| Performer

| "Because You Loved Me" from Up Close & Personal

Ceremony information

File:Billy Crystal VF 2012 Shankbone.JPG hosted the 69th Academy Awards.|alt=Photo of Billy Crystal in 2012.]]

After taking a year off, Gil Cates was selected by AMPAS in November 1996 to oversee production of the ceremony for the seventh time.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=89}} Immediately, he chose actor and comedian Billy Crystal to host the 1997 telecast, stating, "Billy is quick and agile and bright, and he plays the unexpected events of the live telecast like a Stradivarius. He's become the standard against which all other hosting performances are measured."{{cite news |last1=Marcus |first1=Errico |title=Billy Crystal to Host Oscars...Again |url=http://www.eonline.com/news/33780/billy-crystal-to-host-oscars-again |access-date=July 24, 2014 |publisher=E! |date=November 18, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140809093733/http://www.eonline.com/news/33780/billy-crystal-to-host-oscars-again |archive-date=August 9, 2014}} Crystal expressed his excitement on hosting the ceremony for the fifth time joking, "Once Barry Scheck turned it down, I had a feeling they'd come to me."{{cite news |title=Billy Crystal Back At Helm Of Oscars |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1996/11/19/billy-crystal-back-at-helm-of-oscars/ |access-date=July 30, 2014 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=November 19, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140808030143/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1996-11-19/news/9611190187_1_oscars-host-billy-crystal-lawyers |archive-date=August 8, 2014}} Furthermore, he set up a website with the address www.whyistheshowsolong.com asking the public to send in jokes that would eventually be used during the gala.{{cite news |last1=Snead |first1=Elisabeth |title=Crystal out to Net jokes for Oscar show |url=http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/special/oscars/l97os022.htm |access-date=July 24, 2014 |work=USA Today |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304033428/http://usatoday30.usatoday.com/life/special/oscars/l97os022.htm |url-status=live }}

As with previous ceremonies he produced, Cates centered the show around a theme. This year, he christened the show with the theme "Togetherness of Moviegoing" commenting, "The thing that's kind of wonderful about movies is that you watch them with other people. The only other areas where you do that, when you think about it, are religion and sports." He concluded by noting that the movie theater is "a wonderful place where you come together to laugh, to cry."{{cite news |last1=Bowles |first1=Jennifer |title=Oscar show to celebrate communion of moviegoing |url=http://www.deseretnews.com/article/550000/Oscar-show-to-celebrate-communion-of-moviegoing.html |access-date=July 24, 2014 |work=Deseret News |date=March 21, 1997 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812102013/http://www.deseretnews.com/article/550000/Oscar-show-to-celebrate-communion-of-moviegoing.html |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} In tandem with the theme, actress Winona Ryder presented a montage featuring film clips from Casablanca (1942), Matinee (1993), and A Streetcar Named Desire (1951) depicting audiences inside a movie theater.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=111}}

Several other people and elements were also involved with the production of the ceremony. Documentary filmmaker Arnold Schwartzman designed the official ceremony poster featuring the titles of the previous 68 Best Picture winners superimposed in the shape of an Oscar statuette.{{cite news |last1=Hindes |first1=Andrew |title=Acad bows poster for 69th Oscars |url=https://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/acad-bows-poster-for-69th-oscars-1117466260/ |access-date=July 29, 2014 |work=Variety |date=December 10, 1996 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812201719/http://variety.com/1996/scene/vpage/acad-bows-poster-for-69th-oscars-1117466260/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} Film composer and musician Bill Conti served as musical director of the ceremony.{{cite news |title=Oscar Watch |url=https://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/oscar-watch-70-1117433844/ |access-date=July 29, 2014 |work=Variety |date=January 12, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812195226/http://variety.com/1997/scene/vpage/oscar-watch-70-1117433844/ |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} Choreographer Otis Sallid supervised the "That Thing You Do!" musical number.{{harvnb|Pond|2005|p=156}} Michael Flatley and the cast of the musical Lord of the Dance performed a dance number during a montage saluting the art of Film Editors.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=113}} Pianist David Helfgott, whom Best Actor winner Geoffrey Rush portrayed in the film Shine, played a rendition of "Flight of the Bumblebee" by Nikolai Rimsky-Korsakov during the telecast.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=114}}

Natalie Cole was initially scheduled to sing the nominated song "I Finally Found Someone" from The Mirror Has Two Faces on the show after its songwriter and original performer Barbra Streisand declined to do so.{{cite news |last1=Marcano |first1=Tony |title=Chronicle |url=https://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/24/style/chronicle-263419.html |access-date=July 30, 2014 |work=The New York Times |date=March 24, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140811010538/http://www.nytimes.com/1997/03/24/style/chronicle-263419.html |archive-date=August 11, 2014}}{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=96}} However, after Cole contracted the flu, she withdrew for her performance duties and was eventually replaced by Celine Dion who also sang "Because You Loved Me" later in the broadcast.{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=112}}{{harvnb|Pond|2005|p=157}}

= Box office performance of nominees =

At the time of the nominations announcement on February 11, the combined gross of the five Best Picture nominees at the US box office was $209 million, with an average of $41.9 million per film.{{cite news |title=1996 Academy Award Nominations and Winner for Best Picture |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=1996&p=.htm |access-date=October 1, 2013 |publisher=Box Office Mojo |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131009033735/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/oscar/chart/?yr=1996&p=.htm |archive-date=October 9, 2013}} Jerry Maguire was the highest earner among the Best Picture nominees with $121.5 million in domestic box office receipts. The film was followed by The English Patient ($42.3 million), Shine ($16.1 million), Fargo ($24 million) and finally Secrets & Lies ($5.9 million).

Of the top 50 grossing movies of the year, 37 nominations went to 17 films on the list. Only Jerry Maguire (9th), Primal Fear (27th) and The English Patient (35th) were nominated for directing, acting, screenwriting or Best Picture.{{cite news |url=https://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?asof=1997-02-10&view=releasedate&view2=domestic&yr=1996&sort=gross&order=DESC&p=.htm |title=1996 Domestic Grosses |publisher=Box Office Mojo |access-date=July 24, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140727022220/http://boxofficemojo.com/yearly/chart/?asof=1997-02-10&view=releasedate&view2=domestic&yr=1996&sort=gross&order=DESC&p=.htm |archive-date=July 27, 2014}} The other top 50 box office hits that earned nominations were Independence Day (1st), Twister (2nd), The Rock (4th), The Nutty Professor (7th), The Birdcage (8th), Eraser (13th), The Hunchback of Notre Dame (14th), Star Trek: First Contact (15th), Sleepers (29th), Dragonheart (30th), The Preacher's Wife (32nd), Evita (36th), The Ghost and the Darkness (39th), and Daylight (48th).

= Critical response =

The show received a mixed reception from media publications. Some media outlets were more critical of the show. Television critic Joanne Ostrow of The Denver Post commented "Billy Crystal had a smashing first 10 minutes at the Oscars last night," but she later went on to say that inevitable sweep by The English Patient created a dull atmosphere that even sucked the energy out of Crystal's performance.{{cite news |last1=Ostrow |first1=Joanne |title=Even Crystal Runs Out of Steam |work=The Denver Post |date=March 25, 1997}} Columnist Brian Lowry wrote in Los Angeles Times, "This year the mystery far outweighed the magic, in a telecast that proved less compelling--indeed, during stretches more downright dull--than recent predecessors." He also quipped that even though Crystal was mildly entertaining, some of his jokes "felt a bit forced and stale."{{cite news |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |title=Fine Crystal Competes With a Lot of Dull Sheen |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-25-ca-41957-story.html |access-date=July 25, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 25, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812191222/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-25/entertainment/ca-41957_1_billy-crystal |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} The Star-Ledger{{'}}s Alan Sepinwall noted, "Crystal was a bundle of energy, but his jokes had less zing than in the past." He also observed that the Film Editing dance number and "That Thing You Do" musical performance were hideously bloated.{{cite news |last1=Sepinwall |first1=Alan |title=It was no Crystal ball as host came up flat after 3-year hiatus |work=The Star-Ledger |date=March 25, 1997|page=6}}

Other media outlets received the broadcast more positively. Film critic Carrie Rickey of The Philadelphia Inquirer wrote, "Crystal sparkled as the host of the annual awards at the Shrine Auditorium." She also noted, "The mood of the evening was elegant and gracious."{{cite news |last1=Riceky |first1=Carey |title=9 Oscars For 'English Patient' It Captured Best Picture And Director. Acting Honors Went To Frances Mcdormand And Geoffrey Rush|page=A1 |work=The Philadelphia Inquirer |date=March 25, 1997}} Chicago Tribune columnist Steve Johnson commented, "Billy Crystal returned as host of the Academy Awards on Monday night and proved that even if mainline Hollywood is nearly shut out in the trophy dispensing, one of its representatives can at least make a television broadcast entertaining."{{cite news |last1=Johnson |first1=Steve |title=The Broadcast |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1997/03/25/the-broadcast/ |access-date=July 29, 2014 |work=Chicago Tribune |date=March 25, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140730043847/http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1997-03-25/news/9703250242_1_beavis-and-butt-head-show-producer-gil-cates-los-angeles-shrine-auditorium |archive-date=July 30, 2014}} Television critic Kinney Littlefield of the Orange County Register quipped, "In his fifth stint as host, Crystal served up the sense of inclusive, insider movie community that had been missing during his three-year absence." In addition, she observed, "For most of the evening, Oscar seemed newly energized, upbeat and full of splashy fun."{{cite news |last1=Littlefield |first1=Kinney |title=Host Billy Crystal makes Oscar classy and sassy again |work=Orange County Register |date=March 25, 1997|page=F4}}

= Ratings and reception =

The American telecast on ABC drew in an average of 40.08 million people over its length, which was a 9% decrease from the previous year's ceremony.{{cite news |last=Johnson |first=Greg |title=Call It the Glamour Bowl |url=https://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/18/business/fi-18458/2 |access-date=August 26, 2013 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 18, 1999 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130928053918/http://articles.latimes.com/1999/mar/18/business/fi-18458/2 |archive-date=September 28, 2013}} An estimated 73.83 million total viewers watched all or part of the awards.{{cite news |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |title=Bright Oscar Lights Shine in Cities, Not Elsewhere |url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1997-03-26-ca-42098-story.html |access-date=July 29, 2014 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=March 26, 1997 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812192157/http://articles.latimes.com/1997-03-26/entertainment/ca-42098_1_oscar-ceremony |archive-date=August 12, 2014}} The show also drew lower Nielsen ratings compared to the previous ceremony with 27.49% of households watching over a 46.31 share.{{cite news |title=Academy Awards ratings |publisher=Television Bureau of Advertising |url=https://www.tvb.org/Portals/0/media/file/tracts/Academy_Awards.pdf |access-date=June 27, 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160808235818/https://www.tvb.org/Portals/0/media/file/tracts/Academy_Awards.pdf |archive-date=August 8, 2016}} In addition, it also drew a lower 18–49 demo rating with a 16.55 rating over a 34.32 share among viewers in that demographic. It was the least watched ceremony in a decade and the lowest rated telecast since the 58th awards gala held in 1986.{{harvnb|Pond|2005|p=159}}

In July 1997, the ceremony presentation received seven nominations at the 49th Primetime Emmy Awards.{{cite news |title=Primetime Emmy Award database |url=http://www.emmys.com/shows/69th-annual-academy-awards |access-date=July 29, 2014 |publisher=Academy of Television Arts and Sciences |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140729231421/http://www.emmys.com/shows/69th-annual-academy-awards |archive-date=July 29, 2014}} Two months later, the ceremony won one of those nominations for Outstanding Sound Mixing for a Variety or Music Series or Special (Edward J. Greene, Tom Vicari, Robert Douglass).{{cite news |last1=Lowry |first1=Brian |title=NBC Takes Home 15 Emmys in Early Award Presentations |url=https://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/09/entertainment/ca-30178/2 |work=Los Angeles Times |date=September 9, 1997 |access-date=July 29, 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140812190043/http://articles.latimes.com/1997/sep/09/entertainment/ca-30178/2 |archive-date=August 12, 2014}}

"In Memoriam"

The annual "In Memoriam" tribute, presented by actress Angela Bassett, honored the following people to the score of Dr. Jekyll and Ms. Hyde (1995):{{harvnb|Bona|2002|p=115}}

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See also

References

{{reflist|30em}}

Bibliography

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  • {{citation

|last=Bona

|first=Damien

|title=Inside Oscar 2

|year=2002

|isbn=0-345-44970-3

|location=New York, United States

|publisher=Ballantine Books

|url=https://archive.org/details/insideoscar200bona

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  • {{citation

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|first=Steve

|title=The Big Show: High Times and Dirty Dealings Backstage at the Academy Awards

|year=2005

|isbn=0-571-21193-3

|location=New York, United States

|publisher=Faber and Faber

|url=https://archive.org/details/bigshowhightimes00pond

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