Looking at Film from Every Angle

70th Academy Awards (1997): The Ceremony

Nominations Announcement

Nominations Announcement Date: Tuesday, February 10, 1998
Nominations Presenters: Geena Davis, Robert Rehme
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Supporting Actor
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Supporting Actress
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Actor
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Actress
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Director
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Original Screenplay
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Adapted Screenplay
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Foreign Language Film
Nominations Morning Category Presentation: Picture

Ceremony Details

Awards Ceremony Date/Time: Monday, March 23, 1998, 6:00pm
Location: Shrine Auditorium, Los Angeles
Televised On: ABC
Host: Billy Crystal
Length: 3 hours, 47 minutes
Nielsen Ratings: 35.32 rating
Viewers: 57.25 million

Presenters

President’s Welcoming Remarks: Robert Rehme
Supporting Actress: Cuba Gooding Jr.
Costume Design: Elisabeth Shue
Introduction: 70 Years of Best Picture winners montage: Dustin Ho
Original Song Introduction: “Journey to the Past” and “Go the Distance”: Neve Campbell
Best Picture Introduction: Titanic: Arnold Schwarzeneggar
Supporting Actor: Mira Sorvino
Sound Mixing: Cameron Diaz
Sound Editing: Mike Myers
Best Picture Introduction: As Good As It Gets: Sigourney Weaver
Visual Effects: Helen Hunt
Presenter Introduction: Ben Affleck & Matt Damon: Fay Wray
Animated Short Film: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Live Action Short Film: Ben Affleck, Matt Damon
Actress: Geoffrey Rush
Music: Original Drama Score: Antonio Banderas
Introduction: Original Musical or Comedy Score dance number: Jennifer Lopez
Music: Original Musical or Comedy Score: Jennifer Lopez
Makeup & Hairstyling: Drew Barrymore
Best Picture Introduction: L.A. Confidential: Alec Baldwin
Film Editing: Samuel L. Jackson
Scientific & Technical Awards; and Gordon E. Sawyer Award: Don Iwerks: Ashley Judd
Honorary Award: Stanley Donen: Martin Scorsese
Best Picture Introduction: Good Will Hunting: Matt Dillon
Original Song Introduction: “How Do I Live,” “Miss Misery,” and “My Heart Will Go On”: Madonna
Original Song: Madonna
Documentary Short Subject: Djimon Hounsou
Documentary Feature: Robert De Niro
In Memoriam: Whoopi Goldberg
Production Design: Meg Ryan
Introduction: 70 Years of Oscars montage: Robin Williams
Actor: Frances McDormand
Foreign Language Film: Sharon Stone
Writing: Adapted Screenplay: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Writing: Original Screenplay: Jack Lemmon, Walter Matthau
Cinematography: Denzel Washington
Introduction: Oscar Family Album: Susan Sarandon
Best Picture Introduction: The Full Monty: Geena Davis
Directing: Warren Beatty
Picture: Sean Connery

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 – Geoffrey Rush: Yes
Actress – Frances McDormand: Yes
Supporting Actor – Cuba Gooding Jr.: Yes
Supporting Actress – Juliette Binoche: No
Directing – Anthony Minghella: No

Song Performances

Go the Distance: Michael Bolton
How Do I Live: Trisha Yearwood
Journey to the Past: Aaliyah
Miss Misery: Elliott Smith
My Heart Will Go On: Celine Dion

Original Song Film Performers

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

Go the Distance: Partial (Michael Bolton only) (Performed in the Film by: Roger Bart, Michael Bolton)
How Do I Live: Yes (Performed in the Film by: Trisha Yearwood)
Journey to the Past: Partial (Aaliyah only) (Performed in the Film by: Liz Callaway, Aaliyah)
Miss Misery: Yes (Performed in the Film by: Elliott Smith)
My Heart Will Go On: Yes (Performed in the Film by: Celine Dion)

Other Performances

Fanfare for Oscar: Jerry Goldsmith
Opening Number: Best Picture Spoofs – The Ballad of Gilligan’s Isle = Titanic; Let’s Call the Whole Thing Off = As Good As It Gets; Night and Day = Good Will Hunting; Fascinating Rhythm = L.A. Confidential; Hello, Dolly! = The Full Monty: Billy Crystal

Ceremony Production Staff

Announcer: Norman Rose
Conductor / Musical Arranger: Bill Conti
Director: Louis J. Horvitz
Producer: Gilbert ‘Gil’ Cates
Writer: Rita Cash, Billy Grundfest, Hal Kanter, Buz Kohan
Writer (Special Material): Billy Crystal, Dave Boone, Ed Driscoll, Jon Macks, Billy Martin, Marc Shaiman, David Steinberg, Bruce Vilanch
Production Design: Roy Christopher
Choreography: Daniel Ezralow

Emmys

Nominations: 8
Wins: 5
Variety Music or Comedy Special: Nominee
Directing for a Variety Special: Winner
Performance in a Variety or Music Program: Winner (Billy Crystal, host)
Music Direction: Winner
Lighting Direction for a Drama Series Variety Series Miniseries or Special: Winner
Art Direction for Variety or Nonfiction Programming: Nominee
Sound Mixing for a Variety Series or Special: Winner
Choreography: Nominee