Looking at Film from Every Angle

56th Academy Awards (1983): The Ceremony

Nominations Announcement

Nominations Announcement Date: Thursday, February 16, 1984

Ceremony Details

Awards Ceremony Date/Time: Monday, April 9, 1984, 6:00pm
Location: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, Los Angeles
Televised On: ABC
Host: Johnny Carson
Length: 3 hours, 42 minutes
Nielsen Ratings: 38.00 rating

Presenters

President’s Welcoming Remarks: Gene Allen
Supporting Actor: Mary Tyler Moore, Timothy Hutton
Tribute: David Niven: Cary Grant
Animated Short Film: Jane Alexander, Michael Caine
Live Action Short Film: Jane Alexander, Michael Caine
Sound Editing: Darryl Hannah, Kevin Bacon
Scientific & Technical Awards; and Gordon E. Sawyer Award: Dr. John G. Frayne: Arnold Schwarzeneggar, Joan Collins
Film Editing: Robert Wise
Sound Mixing: Christie Brinkley, Michael Keaton
Cinematography: Anthony Franciosa, Joanna Pacula
Foreign Language Film: Jack Valenti, John Gavin
Documentary Short Subject: Holly Palance, Jack Palance
Documentary Feature: Holly Palance, Jack Palance
Visual Effects: Cheech, Chong
Costume Design: Tommy Tune, Twiggy
Production Design: Jane Powell, Ricardo Montalban
Original Song: Jennifer Beals, Matthew Broderick
Music: Original Score: Gene Kelly, Ray Bolger
Music: Original Song Score or Adaptation: Neil Diamond
Supporting Actress: Dyan Cannon, Gene Hackman
Writing: Adapted Screenplay: Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek
Writing: Original Screenplay: Mel Gibson, Sissy Spacek
Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award: M. J. Frankovich: Frank Sinatra
Directing: Richard Attenborough
Honorary Award: Hal Roach: Jackie Cooper, George “Spanky” McFarland
Actor: Dolly Parton, Sylvester Stallone
Actress: Liza Minnelli, Rock Hudson
Picture: Frank Capra

Previous Acting & Directing Winners

The tradition of prior acting winners returning the subsequent year to present the opposite-gender category is a long one. Each year, we look to see whether the prior winners returned. There was an intermittent tradition where the prior directing winner returned as well, but this was a rare occurrence.

Actor – Ben Kingsley: No
Actress – Meryl Streep: No
Supporting Actor – Louis Gossett Jr.: No
Supporting Actress – Jessica Lange: No
Directing – Richard Attenborough: Yes

Song Performances

Flashdance…What a Feeling: Irene Cara, 44 Boys and Girls from the National Dance Institute
Maniac: Herb Alpert & the Tijuana Brass, Lani Hall
Over You: Mac Davis
Papa, Can You Hear Me?: Donna Summer
The Way He Makes Me Feel: Jennifer Holliday

Original Song Film Performers

Was the song performed at the Oscars by the same individuals who performed it in the film?

Flashdance…What a Feeling: Partial (Irene Cara only) (Performed in the Film by: Irene Cara)
Maniac: No (Performed in the Film by: Michael Sembello)
Over You: No (Performed in the Film by: Betty Buckley)
Papa, Can You Hear Me?: No (Performed in the Film by: Barbra Streisand)
The Way He Makes Me Feel: No (Performed in the Film by: Barbra Streisand)

Other Performances

There’s No Business Like Show Business: Sammy Davis Jr., Liza Minnelli

Ceremony Production Staff

Announcer: Hank Simms
Conductor / Musical Arranger: Quincy Jones
Director: Marty Pasetta
Producer: Jack Haley Jr.
Writer: Michael Barrie, Jim Mulholland
Production Design: Roy Christopher