Hooray for Hollywood!

On May 16, 1929, the first Academy Awards ceremony was held in the Blossom Ballroom at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel honoring films released in 1927 and 1928.

Some of the winners from this star-studded event were: Outstanding Picture - “Wings”; Best Director Comedy - Lewis Milestone, “Arabian Nights”; Best Director Dramatic - Frank Borage, “7th Heaven”; Best Actor - Emil Jennings, “The Last Command” and “The Way of All Flesh”; Best Actress - Janet Gaynor, “7th Heaven”, “Street Angel” and “Sunrise”. Silent film star, Charlie Chaplin, was honored with a special award for his work as an actor, writer, and director.