In 1938, no less than ten films were nominated for the Best Picture Oscar; the winner was Frank Capra's “You Can't Take It With You.”

The Big Fisherman was nominated for three Iscars: Cinematography (color), Art Direction-Set Decoration (color), and Costume Design (color).

Contrary to popular wisdom, the Oscar race this year was not wide open but quite predictable. True, there weren't many clear front-runners on the order of Schindler's List in 1993, Forrest Gump in 1994, Titanic in 1997, and American Beauty in 1999. At the same time, there was no doubt that Erin Brockovich, Gladiator, and Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon would sweep major nominations.

Despite numerous Oscar awards and nominations, actor-director Woody Allen made his first appearance at the Oscars in 2002, not to collect one, but to deliver a love poem to New York, a city celebrated in so many of his movies. In the wake of the September 11 terrorist attacks, Allen's graceful appearance became a highlight of the show.

Laurence Olivier was nominated for 10 Academy Awards: 9 in the lead and one in the supporting category. He won one Oscar, Best Actor for “Hamlet” in 1948, which also won Best Picture.