The Oscar (1966)
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18% of critics liked it
(11 reviews) -
44% of users liked it
(72 ratings)
A heartless actor scrambles to the top of show business' sleazy summit in this drama. Frank Fane (Stephen Boyd) is a Hollywood leading man who is desperate to boost his career by winning an Academy Award, and he doesn't care who he has to betray to achieve his goals -- including his former… More A heartless actor scrambles to the top of show business' sleazy summit in this drama. Frank Fane (Stephen Boyd) is a Hollywood leading man who is desperate to boost his career by winning an Academy Award, and he doesn't care who he has to betray to achieve his goals -- including his former best friend and PR man, Hymie Kelly (Tony Bennett), lonely acting coach Sophie Cantaro (Eleanor Parker), slimy agent Kappy Kapstetter (Milton Berle), and long-suffering girlfriend Kay Bergdahl (Elke Sommer). However, as Frank waits for his name to be called, certain that victory is in his grasp, fate has a little secret in store for him. The Oscar marked Tony Bennett's onscreen acting debut. The screenplay, based on the novel by Richard Sale, was written in part by award-winning author Harlan Ellison, who is known to often take comical potshots at the film, which he considers a low point in his career. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
- Directed By
- Russell Rouse
- Genres
- Drama
PG,
- In Theaters
- Jul 8, 1966 Wide
Critic Reviews
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Variety Staff, Variety
This is the story of a vicious, bitter, firstclass heel who rises to stardom on the blood of those close to him. Without a single redeeming quality, part played by Stephen Boyd is unsympathetic virtually from opening shots.
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, Time Out
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.
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Bosley Crowther, New York Times
A piece of expensive claptrap, loaded with harrowing clichés.
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Rob Gonsalves, eFilmCritic.com
It may be the quintessential Hollywood movie, except that it was greeted with guffaws on sight.
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Dennis Schwartz, Ozus' World Movie Reviews
A dreadful empty film.
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Cast
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Stephen Boyd
as Frank Fane
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Elke Sommer
as Kay Bergdahl
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Milton Berle
as Kappy Kapstetter
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Eleanor Parker
as Sophie Cantaro
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Joseph Cotten
as Kenneth H. Regan
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Jill St. John
as Laurel Scott
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Tony Bennett
as Hymie Kelly
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Edie Adams
as Trina Yale
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Ernest Borgnine
as Barney Yale
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Walter Brennan
as Orrin C. Quentin
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Broderick Crawford
as Sheriff
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James Dunn
as Network Executive
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Peter Lawford
as Steve Marks
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Jack Soo
as Sam
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Jean Hale
as Cheryl Barker
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Chris Alcaide
as Ledbetter
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Ed Begley Sr.
as Grobard
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John Dennis
as Sid
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Ross Ford
as Lochner
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Johnny Grant
as Himself
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John Holland
as Stevens
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Bob Hope
as Guest
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Hedda Hopper
as Herself
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Peter Leeds
as Bert
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Merle Oberon
as Guest
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Walter Reed
as Pereira
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Eddie Ryder
as Marriage Broker
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Nancy Sinatra
as Herself
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John Crowther
as Wally
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Edith Head
as Herself
- Frank Sinatra
