Bette Davis, Spencer Tracy and Deanna Durbin winning Oscars

Newsreel presentations for the 11th Academy Awards in 1939 including Bette Davis (Best Actress, Jezebel), Spencer Tracy (Best Actor, Boys Town), Harry M. Warren (in recognition of patriotic service in the production of historical short subjects presenting significant episodes in the early struggle of the American people for liberty), and Deanna Durbin and Mickey Rooney (for their significant contribution in bringing to the screen the spirit and personification of youth, and as juvenile players setting a high standard of ability and achievement) presented by Edgar Bergen and Charlie McCarthy.

[LPJack]

RIP Spencer Tracy (April 5, 1900 – June 10, 1967), aged 67
RIP Bette Davis (April 5, 1908 – October 6, 1989), aged 81
RIP Deanna Durbin (December 4, 1921 – April 17, 2013), aged 91
You will always be remembered as legends.

[matthough]

Thanks so much for this footage. I knew Deanna had won a juvenile Oscar, but this is the first time I have seen her accepting it.

[searchers]

I had never seen this footage of Deanna before. She had a brilliant career. She became a radio superstar when barely a teenager. In 12 years she made 21 feature films, many of them great popular successes. She sang memorably in all of them, and released many popular records. She was one of Hollywood's highest paid stars for several years. She was totally retired at 27 years of age, and lived very comfortably and privately for more than 60 years. She was married for almost 50 years, had 2 children-one a doctor. All in all, she had a life and career that almost all entertainers can only imagine or dream of having.
Personally speaking, I always admired her direct approach to her public. She wrote and typed all her own mail and letters-she sent me Christmas cards for almost 20 years. And she was Canadian born. She is virtually unknown to today's generation of movie goers.

[thewonderfulworldofderek]

Oascr awesome awards Deanna Durbin 1936 years

[anon]

Deanna was 17 years old when she received this special Oscar and had starred already in four films. Perhaps because of this early success, and because of her radio performances prior to her film career, many of her obituaries described her as a child star of the 30s. Her film career, however, included 18 more lead roles which were mostly successful commercially. While the scripts were often forgettable, her singing is for the ages.

[gatewayski]

Is this the only footage of Miss Davis and Mr. Tracy?

[andrewschrader]

Presented by Sir Cedric Hardwicke, himself a very fine stage and screen actor.

[thewonderfulworldofderek]

It's good I love it good job Deanna Durbin

[drstrangelove]

Leslie Howard for Pygmalion should have won the Oscar in 1938 for best actor intead of Tracy from boys town, hE deserved his two Oscars in consucative years but not for boys Town he should have won for both the best supporting actor catagory for his underrated performance in san francisco in1936 and then for captains coargus in 1937 for best lead actor!

[neelabhraroy]

Is that Cecil b demille presenting Spencer Tracy?

[paulskyekahawaty]

Norma Shearer should have won for "Marie Antoinette"

[thewonderfulworldofderek]

Oscar's anniversary award Deanna Durbin movies tcm years History Hollywood homes

[LironMuis]

Better should have won her first for Human Bondage :/

[thewonderfulworldofderek]

Deanna Durbin years History Hollywood homes house reviews Intrvew

[lynnturman]

I have mixed emotions about Bette Davis the actress (and I'm not talking Bette Davis the movie star: she was one of the greatest at that--I'm talking acting). She does get credit for her willingness to play unlikable and unattractive characters, which is something most actors of her stature are not willing to do (especially in those days). But she has a theatricality/larger than life aspect to her acting that I think was better suited for the stage, IMO.

[okyou]

I love Deanna Durbin, I Like Bettie Davis ( esp. in Of Human Bondage )but prefer Joan Crawford’s acting style ? better. As for Tracy, I ve never been a fan of his .