THE BEST FILM

Wairarapa Times-Age, 21 March 1940, Page 9

THE BEST FILM

"GONE WITH THE WIND.’’

ACADEMY AWARDS,

A full list of awards made by the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Sciences for - the past year is now available. ft is interesting 1o note that The three main productions mentioned are Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer films, namely ‘•Gone With the Wind," yet to reach New Zealand, "Good-bye Mr Chips” and "The Wizard of Oz.” The other film mentioned, “Stagecoach." was a United Artists release.

It is significant that, for the first time since the awards were inaugurated, the honours for best actor and actress go to two British players, Robert Donat and Vivien Leigh. A further feature is the declaring of Hattie McDaniels as the best supporting actress —this being the only instance of an Academy award going to a coloured performer.

The following is a list of the awards:

Best film: “Gone With the Wind.” Best actor: Robert Donat in “Goodbye Mr Chips.” Best actress: Vivien Leigh in 'Gone With the Wind." Best supporting actor: Thomas Mitchell in “Stagecoach.” Best supporting actress: Hattie McDaniels in “Gone With the Wind.”

Outstanding producer: David O. Selznick. Best director: Victor Fleming. Special awards Judy Garland and Douglas Fairbanks Junr. Best film song: “Over the Rainbow” (“The Wizard of Oz”).

A post-humous award was made to Sydney Howard for the best screenplay of the year—“ Gone With the Wind;”,and there was a special unscheduled award to the memory of Douglas Fairbanks Scnr.