The 15th Academy Awards featured Mrs. Miniver winning six Oscars, a four-way documentary tie, and Greer Garson's record acceptance speech.
Key Facts
- Date
- March 4, 1943
- Venue
- Cocoanut Grove, Ambassador Hotel, Los Angeles
- Mrs. Miniver wins
- 6 of 12 nominations, including Best Picture
- Garson acceptance speech
- Approximately 5 minutes 30 seconds
- Best Original Song
- "White Christmas" — Irving Berlin
- Best Documentary Feature
- Four-way tie, a unique occurrence in Oscar history
By the Numbers
Location
Cause → Event → Consequence
The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences held its annual ceremony to honor outstanding films released during 1942, a year when Hollywood continued producing major studio films despite the United States' entry into World War II following Pearl Harbor.
On March 4, 1943, the 15th Academy Awards ceremony took place at the Cocoanut Grove in Los Angeles, with portions broadcast on CBS Radio. Mrs. Miniver dominated the evening with six wins including Best Picture and Best Director for William Wyler. Irving Berlin won Best Original Song for 'White Christmas,' having also presented the award himself.
The ceremony became notable in Oscar history for Greer Garson's lengthy acceptance speech and the unprecedented four-way tie for Best Documentary Feature. Mrs. Miniver's success cemented its status as a defining wartime film, and William Wyler gained his first of three Best Director awards.