Embassy Pictures and Joseph E.Levine brought us "The Oscar" in 1966 which was the film version of a novel by Richard Sale, an insider look at a fictional Oscar race for Best Actor. Even the movie version which was watered down and smartly leaving out of a lot of the machinations of the erratic plot of the novel and concentrated on its good qualities like the "Frankie Fane" lead character expertly portrayed by Stephen Boyd. Some say Boyd after appearing in "The Oscar" never had a commendable role in a Hollywood film again. He is cast to a tee and perhaps too much so. Elke Sommer plays the part of "Kay" who becomes his wife has the role tailored for her attributes. She was never better than in "The Prize" with Paul Newman. Jill St.John, who gets the acting honors here has never been better than she is in this film. Rather dubiously, she receives that honor. On hand are Eleanor Parker, Joseph Cotton, Ernest Borgnine, Milton Berle as "Cappy" the agent, Edie Adams is also a well realized casting coup for her character and Peter Lawford is on hand and sympathetic. The picture is very well known for featuring and introducing Tony Bennett in a sizable co-starring role as "Hymie Kelly," Fane's PR man and friend from his past who has what for any other actor I would imagine a chance to really act. Unfortunately, he is not up to the challenge. The script is loaded with great dialogue and in hindsight becomes festooned with quotes ripe for the picking. The screenplay is credited to Harlan Ellison, director Russell Rouse and producer Clarence Greene. The picture is studded with celebrities making cameos and playing themselves in parts like Frank Sinatra, Nancy Sinatra, Merle Oberon, Bob Hope. In hindsight, "The Oscar" scores higher than when it was made as everything about it proved to be "second rate" except the sheer splendor of the wallow it provides. Director Russell Rouse has his moments like at the end when the camera backs away from Fane sitting twisted in his chair at the Academy auditorium reduced finally to see what happens to his vulgarity while nearly everyone around him is giving the winner a standing ovation. Color.
Review of The Oscar
