The Academy Awards and the White House

By Thomas F. Schwartz

Previous blogs have explored Herbert and Lou Hoover’s interest in motion pictures. Herbert Hoover hoped to create a documentary on the work of the Commission for Relief in Belgium hiring a script writer and creating a rough cut that has been lost. See “Herbert Hoover, American Relief Administration, Brussels, Belgian ca. 1919” and “The Lost Documentary Film of the Commission for Relief in Belgium.” As Secretary of Commerce, Hoover promoted the viewing of American films abroad and became closely associated with many studio heads such as Louis B. Mayer. Lou Hoover was an avid producer of home movies including the earliest color home movies of the White House. The Hoovers enjoyed watching Hollywood films on their ship travels during the Good Will Tour as President-elect. In the White House, they inaugurated the regular showing of movies for their own enjoyment as well as that of guests.

Part of Hollywood’s promotion of the film industry was the creation of an annual awards ceremony highlighting the most notable achievements reflected in films for a given year. The first Academy Award ceremony was held on May 16, 1929, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel where the World War I film of airmen, Wings, won best picture. An invitation was extended to Herbert Hoover to attend the fourth Academy Award ceremony on November 10, 1931, at the Biltmore Hotel. Instead, he sent Vice President Charles Curtis to represent him and address the Academy. Curtis attended with his half-sister, Dolly Gann. This was the first time any senior executive leader from the federal government attended and addressed the Academy. First Lady Betty Ford would attend the 91^st Academy Award ceremony to present a lifetime achievement Oscar to director William Wyler.

Dolly Gann recalls the evening in her published memoirs, Dolly Gann’s Book:

George Arliss made a witty speech, but it was Miss [Marie} Dressler who received the big ovation. The marvelous come-back of this veteran actress, receiver of the annual award, captured the imagination of the crowd. Miss [Norma] Shearer, winner [Best Actress] of the year previous, made the presentation. Miss Dressler was quite overcome. She said she was not only so happy, but that she felt so important—important enough to sit in Mrs. Gann’s seat! I immediately offered her my chair.

The following day, Vice President Curtis and Dolly Gann were invited to William Randolph Hearst’s palatial mansion at San Simeon where Hearst showed his guests the motion picture, Hell Drivers, with Wallace Berry. Among the other memorable events of the trip was watching the making of the motion picture Tarzan, and a performance of The Champ, with Wallace Berry and Jackie Cooper at Grauman’s Chinese Theatre.