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A review by komet2020
50 Oscar Nights: Iconic Stars and Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins by Dave Karger
emotional
funny
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
sad
medium-paced
5.0
This is a book I came into the know about purely by chance a short time ago. I happened to listening to a podcast one day in which the book's author, Dave Karger, was interviewed about his life and career as a student of film, journalist, and movie critic. I was so taken in with the interview. So, when it was mentioned that Karger had a book newly published - 50 OSCAR NIGHTS: Iconic Stars & Filmmakers on Their Career-Defining Wins , I did a search on the local library's website and VOILA! - the library had a copy of the book available. I then put in a request and within days, the book was in the library for me to pick up and read.
And what a delight - as well as revelation - this book was to read. It soon became clear that Karger is not only a first-rate interviewer, he gives each Oscar winner the space and time to share with readers his/her feelings and experiences surrounding him/her receiving an Oscar nomination and then winning an Oscar and its immediate impact on his/her life and career- be it for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score or Song, or Best Costume Design.
One of the interviews in the book that stands out for me is the interview with Sally Field in which she talks about how she ended up making "Norma Rae", the movie that helped to establish and solidify her status as a major star. She said that the role had been offered to 5 major actresses before she was offered the role by the director Martin Ritt. All 5 of those actresses turned it down. Field also said that the studio really didn't want her for the role. But Martin Ritt said that he believed in her and would fight the studio to ensure that she got the role. And the rest, as they say, is History. Sally Field is someone I have always liked. From watching "The Flying Nun" as a child in the early 1970s and on to the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, I've always found her likeable. It's hard to explain. Sometimes you take an instant liking to people and it grows over time. Besides, I've seen Sally Field in several movies from "Mrs. Doubtfire" to recently, "80 for Brady." She's good - and a solid, believable actress.
50 OSCAR NIGHTS is a book I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who loves movies. Period.
And what a delight - as well as revelation - this book was to read. It soon became clear that Karger is not only a first-rate interviewer, he gives each Oscar winner the space and time to share with readers his/her feelings and experiences surrounding him/her receiving an Oscar nomination and then winning an Oscar and its immediate impact on his/her life and career- be it for Best Actor/Actress, Best Supporting Actor/Actress, Best Original Screenplay, Best Original Score or Song, or Best Costume Design.
One of the interviews in the book that stands out for me is the interview with Sally Field in which she talks about how she ended up making "Norma Rae", the movie that helped to establish and solidify her status as a major star. She said that the role had been offered to 5 major actresses before she was offered the role by the director Martin Ritt. All 5 of those actresses turned it down. Field also said that the studio really didn't want her for the role. But Martin Ritt said that he believed in her and would fight the studio to ensure that she got the role. And the rest, as they say, is History. Sally Field is someone I have always liked. From watching "The Flying Nun" as a child in the early 1970s and on to the "Smokey and the Bandit" movies, I've always found her likeable. It's hard to explain. Sometimes you take an instant liking to people and it grows over time. Besides, I've seen Sally Field in several movies from "Mrs. Doubtfire" to recently, "80 for Brady." She's good - and a solid, believable actress.
50 OSCAR NIGHTS is a book I wholeheartedly recommend for anyone who loves movies. Period.