The Oscar

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Buzz Y I've watched this film several times and it has become one of my favorite guilty pleasures. Stephen Boyd is perfect as the despicable arrogant jerk actor Frankie Fane who will step on anyone to get what he wants. The film is full of ridiculous dialogue which gives it a unique trashy charm. Tony Bennet is completely believable as Fane's Sad Sack pal and press agent Hymie. The women are gorgeous! Jill St. John in a leopard bikini and Elke Sommer in a sheer teddy will leave you weeping with joy. Every supporting role is better than it should be including Eleanor Powell as a lovelorn talent scout, Milton Berle as a long suffering agent, Joseph Cotton as the pragmatic studio head, and Ernie Borgnine as a sleazy private eye. Peter Lawford, who's own career was in decline, is especially effective as a one time movie star now reduced to being a Hollywood head waiter. The surprise cameo at the end is a real classic. As far as trashy camp classics go, the Oscar goes to The Oscar. Rated 3.5/5 Stars •  Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars 03/06/25 Full Review Steve D It seems like it wants to be a comedy. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 07/27/23 Full Review CodyZamboni Movie is comically trashy. The lead character a total jerk. Jill St John is stunning. Movie has lots of famous cameos, and it was nice seeing Tony Bennett in a dramatic performance. Overall, movie is watchable more as a time capsule of the mid 1960s fashion, culture, art design, and moral attitudes. Rated 3/5 Stars •  Rated 3 out of 5 stars 07/29/23 Full Review Audience Member Forty years after reading about it in THE FIFTY WORST FILMS OF ALL TIME, I finally saw THE OSCAR, from 1966, starring Stephen Boyd, Tony Bennett and a cavalcade of stars from the era. Unlike SHOWGIRLS, which plays like a spiritual reboot, the Fox suits have done an admirable job burying this film from view and accessibility. Never released to video in any form, I saw this from a DVD that ripped a TCM midnight showing. Stephen Boyd plays loser schmuck turned actor Frankie Fane, who could be SHOWGIRL's Nomi Malone's father. Fane destroys anyone that gets in the way of his thirst for power. Singer Tony Bennett, in his only acting role, tells the story in flashbacks, which are so pompous and over the top they defy belief. Screenwriter Harlan Ellison never got to see the rushes, and reported wept at the premier screening. Released in March, Boyd would save his career when FANTASTIC VOYAGE dropped in August. Fifty years on, this begs for a restoration with commentaries and a book. In a just world, this would have been a midnight movie riff fest. Like CATS, you can't unsee this, but you can't resist it either. Rated 0.5/5 Stars •  Rated 0.5 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Audience Member ***Due to the recent RT changes that have basically ruined my past reviews, I am mostly only giving a rating rather than a full review.*** Rated 1.5/5 Stars •  Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars 02/09/23 Full Review Audience Member Tacky Tinseltown soaper, logging the unscrupulous rise to stardom of an Academy-nominated actor in a succession of flashbacks, featuring numerous stellar walk-ons and dreadful dialogue. Rated 2.5/5 Stars •  Rated 2.5 out of 5 stars 01/21/23 Full Review Read all reviews

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