How well I remember that show. (See Steve Hill's photo section.) I
always watch the Oscar telecast- more out of habit, as so few current
movies appeal to me. And then, that night- with no warning, a clip
from the sacrifcial bridal scene from "King Kong," and then Billy
Crystal greeting her. I was thrilled- actually electrified says it
better. What frustrated me later was that it was not mentioned why
the timing of this mini-tribute was so appropriate. The very first
Academy Award presentation was in 1928, and Fay Wray was among the
relatively small turnout of movie people who probably had no inkling
of how big a world event this award show would become. 70 years later
Ms. Wray was (to the best of my knowledge) the only survivor from
that distinguished group. Fay Wray is also (I believe) the only
surviving actress who knows what it was like to be a leading lady in
the silent cinema. She is, among many other wonderful things, movie
history personified. I only wish the Academy had done a better
thought-out, and longer, tribute, as no one deserves one more.