The 50th Academy Awards Memorable Moments

50th Oscars

Best Picture: Annie Hall


Annie Hall also won Academy Awards for Best Actress (Diane Keaton), Directing (Woody Allen), and Writing – Screenplay written directly for the screen (Woody Allen and Marshall Brickman).


Bob Hope was the master of ceremonies. It was his final appearance in that role.


Star Wars won six awards. In addition, the Board of Governors voted a Special Achievement Award to Benjamin Burtt Jr. for the creation of the alien, creature and robot voices in the film. 


Vanessa Redgrave, Best Supporting Actress winner for Julia, sparked controversy by referring to Zionist hoodlums in her acceptance speech. 


The telecast attracted the largest television audience for any Oscar show to date.


On January 23, 1977, the mini-series Roots premiered on ABC.


In February 1977, Fleetwood Mac released their album Rumors.


On June 26, 1977, Elvis Presley performed his last concert, at the Market Square Arena in Indianapolis. He died August 16 at his home, Graceland, at the age of 42.


In July 1977, a blackout in New York City lasted for 25 hours and resulted in looting, arson, and other disorder. More than 10,000,000 people were affected by the power outage.


In August 1977, President Carter signed legislation that created the United States Department of Energy.


On August 10, 1977, David Berkowitz, a U.S. Postal Service employee, was arrested and charged with being the Son of Sam, the serial killer who terrorized New York City for more than a year. Berkowitz claimed that demons and a dog owned by a neighbor named Sam had ordered him to commit the killings. Berkowitz killed six people and wounded seven others during his deadly spree.


On October 18, 1977, Reggie Jackson hit three home runs in one game to lead the New York Yankees to a World Series victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers. Jackson became the first player to hit three homers in consecutive at-bats during a World Series.


On November 8, 1977, Harvey Milk was elected to San Francisco’s Board of Supervisors. He was the first openly gay man elected to public office in the United States.


On December 25, 1977, Charlie Chaplin died at his home in Switzerland.


Special Achievement Award

To Benjamin Burtt, Jr. for the creation of the alien, creature and robot voices featured in Star Wars.


Special Achievement Award

To Frank E. Warner for Sound Effects Editing, Close Encounters of the Third Kind.


Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award

To Charlton Heston.


Honorary Award

To Margaret Booth for her exceptional contribution to the art of film editing in the motion picture industry.


Irving G. Thalberg Memorial Award

To Walter Mirisch.