Nancy Olson Remembers Oscar Night 1951

 

Nancy Olson, the last surviving star of Billy Wilder’s iconic Hollywood satire Sunset Boulevard, vividly recalls Oscar night in 1951. The film garnered an impressive 11 Academy Award nominations and secured three wins.

Reflecting on the Past

 

At 96 years old, Olson recently shared her memories on an episode of It Happened in Hollywood, a podcast by The Hollywood Reporter that chronicles film history through eyewitness accounts.

A Promising Start

 

At just 22, Olson was making her mark in the industry with Sunset Boulevard, her second film during a seven-year contract with Paramount Pictures. Her portrayal of Betty, a studio reader aspiring to be a screenwriter, earned her a nomination for Best Supporting Actress.

“I Did Not Expect to Win”

 

Reflecting on that night, Olson told host Seth Abramovitch, “I did not expect to win and I did not win. I felt very rewarded being nominated, and that was quite enough.”

Seating Signals

 

Olson sensed her fate was sealed upon entering the Pantages Theatre and being directed to her less-than-ideal seat. “I was seated in the back, on the side,” she recalls.

The Winner Announcement

 

The Oscar statuette, presented by Dean Jagger, who won Best Supporting Actor in 1950 for Twelve O’Clock High, ultimately went to Josephine Hull for her role in Harvey.

Another Chance the Following Year

 

The next year, Olson’s suspicions were confirmed when she attended the Oscars on behalf of her then-husband, lyricist and librettist Alan Jay Lerner, who was nominated for An American in Paris. “He was in New York with his father who was dying,” Olson explained. “So I picked up the Oscar for him. My seat was in the fourth row on the aisle — and I knew right away that Alan was going to get the award.”

Gloria Swanson’s Snub

 

One of the most surprising outcomes of that year was Gloria Swanson’s loss for Best Actress for her unforgettable performance as Norma Desmond in Sunset Boulevard. Swanson portrayed a once-great silent film star now forgotten by Hollywood, living in isolation with her butler, Max.

Stiff Competition

 

Swanson faced tough competition, including Bette Davis as Margo Channing in All About Eve—another actress grappling with the industry’s disregard for aging women—and Judy Holliday as the charmingly naive blonde in Born Yesterday. Ultimately, it was Holliday who took home the award.

“Wonderful Movies”

 

Olson acknowledged the quality of the competition, stating, “I mean, they were all wonderful, wonderful movies. And I can understand why there were other choices. On the other hand, what is most fascinating is that Sunset Boulevard has outlasted them all. The desire, the gravity that brings people to it is fascinating.”

Acknowledging the Wins

 

In the end, Sunset Boulevard won for Best Story and Screenplay (by Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder, and D.M. Marshman Jr.), Best Art Direction—Black and White, and Best Scoring of a Dramatic or Comedy Picture.

“Everything Should Have Won”

 

Olson remarked, “Gloria Swanson and Billy Wilder, the picture, everything should have won.”

Discover More

 

To hear more from Olson about her incredible journey from Wisconsin to Hollywood and the making of Sunset Boulevard, tune in to the episode of It Happened in Hollywood.

Persons

Nancy Olson, Seth Abramovitch, Dean Jagger, Josephine Hull, Alan Jay Lerner, Gloria Swanson, Bette Davis, Judy Holliday, D.M. Marshman Jr., Charles Brackett, Billy Wilder

Company Names

Paramount Pictures

Titles

Sunset Boulevard, It Happened in Hollywood, An American in Paris, Twelve O’Clock High, Harvey, All About Eve, Born Yesterday

Disclaimer: This article has been auto-generated from a syndicated RSS feed and has not been edited by Vitrina staff. It is provided solely for informational purposes on a non-commercial basis.