Once one looks beyond the glitter and hype of last week’s Academy Awards, there emerges an ugly demonstration of the worst in Hollywood.

Monday, March 29, 1999

Once one looks beyond the glitter and hype of last week’s Academy Awards, there emerges an ugly demonstration of the worst in Hollywood. The Academy Awards are intended to give honest recognition of artistic merit, but also betray Hollywood’s moral defiance, crass materialism, and political oppression.

Beautiful scenes graced the ceremony when some cinematic artists, who had worked very hard at their craft, were justly recognized for their considerable achievements. They accepted their Oscars with humility in the midst of worthy competitors for the award and gratitude for the opportunities given and help received. These few truly touched me.

In defense of the Oscars, it is regularly claimed that personal character and, indeed, all factors other than artistry are irrelevant to the award. These are professionals, they insist, and make and receive the awards objectively. It doesn’t make any difference what are the artists’ politics or race or personal behavior. If they perform or produce outstandingly, they are honored with Oscars. How proud they are of this.

Unless. Unless a person is old fashioned American or morally decent or socially wholesome. In other words, if they do not fit the Hollywood mold of being counter-culture, they might receive but do not deserve an Oscar. Like Elia Kazan.

The Academy had the good sense to recognize the lifetime achievements of this 89 year old artist who had already received Oscars for directing such films as "Gentleman’s Agreement" (1947) and "On the Waterfront" (1954). Annually, this award has been the most serious and profound of the evening. Not a lucky break or a fluke or a passing fade, those who have received the lifetime award have consistently performed their art through generations and have blazed a trail for others to follow.

Yet, a large portion of the Hollywood audience defiantly remained seated and stoically quiet while their reasonable colleagues stood and applauded respectfully in the true spirit of the Academy Awards.

Elia Kazan’s Hollywood offense was to have been honest enough to recognize his youthful error in becoming a communist and repudiating that foolishness and in obeying federal law by answering questions from the House Un-American Activities Committee 47 years ago. Those who were consequently black-listed blamed Kazan rather than themselves for having joined, however naively, a foreign conspiracy whose goal it was to overthrow the government of the United States and subvert the American way of life. The hysterical reaction was unfair to some, but the guilt belongs to hysterical studio executives.

Hollywood stars had-and still have-the attitude they not only can defy the rest of the country but it is "smart." It happened all evening. Emcee Woopy Goldberg talked the dirty old woman throughout the program. Her obscene remarks offend the entire country, duped into viewing. Oscar-winner Roberto Benigni said he wanted to get everyone present in the hay and have sex with each. One black man racially slurred Promise Keepers’ Million Man March. Whatever shocks, regardless of how unfair and irresponsible, sells in Hollywood.

The movies have a tremendous influence and impact on American culture, whether this is right or not. They have an opportunity that might not be too much to call a sacred trust, which should be fulfilled sensitively and responsibly. The Academy Awards should be the occasion to recognize those who have guarded this trust and used it for the wholesomeness of our society.

The celebration of the awards -how those present talk and behave – should consistently implement the spirit of the awards.

Wallace Alcorn’s column appears Mondays