Paramount

 

Oscar Nominations: 4

 

Screenplay (Original): Leonard Gershe

Cinematography (color): Ray June

Art Direction-Set Decoration (color): Hal Pereira, George W. Davis; Sam Comer, Ray Moyer

Costume Design: Edith Head, Hubert De Givenchy

 

Oscar Awards: None

 

Oscar Context:

 

In 1957, “Bridge on the River Kwai” swept the Oscars but was not the most nominated picture.  That honored belonged to “Sayonara,” with 10 nominations, and “Peyton Place,” with 9.  The other two nominees were courtroom dramas: Sidney Lumet’s brilliant feature debut, “Twelve Angry Men” and Billy Wilder’s “Witness for the Prosecution.”

 

Inexplicably, the Original Screenplay Oscar went to Geroge Wells for Minnelli’s comedy “Designing Woman,” which was a loose remake of George Stevens’ “Woman of the Year.” The Cinematography Oscar went to Jack Hildyard for “Bridge,” and the Art Direction to “Sayonara.”  As is well known, Givenchy was Hepburn’s favorite designer after she became a star.  This is Givenchy’s only Oscar nod, but he lost out to Orry-Kelly, who designed the wardrobe for Cukor’s musical “Les Girls.”