Siblings Feud: Olivia de Havilland and Joan Fontaine
Backstage after winning the best actress Oscar for To Each His Own, Olivia de Havilland turned away from her sister, Joan Fontaine, who had won the same award three years earlier for Suspicion.
The siblings feud was famously known in Hollywood circles, but never had their feelings been captured by a photographer.
“Miss de Havilland had no wish to have her picture taken with her sister,” her publicist said.
Audrey and Grace (1956)
Photographer Allan Grant captured in the mystique, glamour and weightiness of Oscar night in this backstage shot of Audrey Hepburn and Grace Kelly, the two most recent best actress winners, both waiting to present that year’s best picture and best actor awards. (The winners were Marty and its star, Ernest Borgnine.)
Edith Head: Winner of 8 Oscars
Legendary costume designer Edith Head, who also served for years as fashion consultant for the Oscars ceremony, won 8 Oscars over her career, referring to the statuettes as her “children.” The first one was for The Heiress in 1949 and the last for The Sting in 1974.
Hat-Checked Oscar (1954)
Life magazine photographer Ed Clark took this Oscar-night picture of the hat-check room at Romanoff’s restaurant in Beverly Hills, where producer Buddy Adler stowed his shiny new best picture trophy for From Here to Eternity upon arriving for an afterparty. The humor of Hollywood’s coveted prize alongside hats has made this image a favorite of irreverent hotels and restaurants.
