Sixty years ago, in 1953, the red carpet was unfolded, the envelopes were opened under the gleam of the Hollywood spotlight and a legacy was born that only continues to become more glamorous. It was the first televised version of the Academy Awards.
As one might imagine, things were a bit different back then. Despite being the first telecast, it was the 25th time the Academy handed out its little gold men. Whereas today's ceremony is held exclusively in Hollywood, the 25th annual Academy Awards were conducted simultaneously at Hollywood's RKO Pantages Theatre and at New York City's now-nonexistent NBC International Theatre.
Cecil B. DeMille's "The Greatest Show on Earth" swept Best Picture out from under the heavily favored "High Noon," which managed to collect Best Actor for Gary Cooper. Shirley Booth nabbed Best Actress for her performance in "Come Back, Little Sheba." The night's other big winner was "The Bad and the Beautiful," which took home five Oscars. Bob Hope hosted Hollywood's event, while Conrad Nagel presented the awards in New York.
And, of course, we owe a debt to these early Academy Award ceremonies that set the tone for the red carpet becoming the must-see event it is. With this anniversary, we celebrate those who first established what a televised Oscar event should look like. Here's a peek back at the 25th annual Academy Awards.
