Quartile rating: 6.5/10 · 1 rating
The story of the gold-plated statuette that became the film industry's most coveted prize, AND THE OSCAR GOES TO... traces the history of the Academy itself, which began in 1927 when Louis B. Mayer, then head of MGM, led other prominent members of the industry in forming this professional honorary organization. Two years later the Academy began bestowing awards, which were nicknamed "Oscar," and quickly came to represent the pinnacle of cinematic achievement.
A competent and informative documentary tracing the Academy Awards' history from its 1927 origins. The narrative structure is serviceable and covers familiar ground for film enthusiasts, offering reasonable depth without breaking new documentary ground. Cinematography is standard TV-documentary fare with archival footage and talking heads. Acting is not applicable in the traditional sense but interview subjects are adequate. Novelty is limited as Oscar history documentaries occupy well-trodden territory. The ending wraps things up neatly without particular distinction.