Universal International (Mark Hellinger Production)

 

Oscar Nominations: 3

 

Motion Picture Story: Malvin Wald

Cinematography (b/w): William Daniels

Film Editing: Paul Weatherwax

 

Oscar Awards: 2

 

Cinematography

Film Editing

 

Oscar Context

 

One of MGM's best cinematographers, William Daniels was Garbo's favorite lenser, and worked extensively with Erich von Stroheim.  The Motion Picture Story Oscar went to Richard Schweizer and David Wechsler for “The Search,” Fred Zinnemann's drama starring Montgomery Clift.

 

In 1948, the Oscar-winning “Hamlet” competed for the top Oscar with the ballet-drama “The Red Shoes,” which broke box-office records in the U.S.; two melodramas, Johnny Belinda” with Jane Wyman and The Snake Pit” with Olivia De Havilland, and John Huston's brilliant crime drama, “The Treasure of the Sierra Madre,” with an all-star cast, headed by Humphrey Bogart and John Huston's father, Walter Huston.

 

The most nominated picture was “Johnny Belinda,” receiving 12 nominations, but winning only one Oscar, Best Actress for Jane Wyman as the deaf-mute girl Belinda McDonald.  The major awards were spread rather evenly among the five nominees.  “The Red Shoes” deservedly won the technical awards in color, a distinction that increased the number of winning films.