Oscar History: Academy Award Winning Movies and Actors of 1931-1932

A look at Oscar winners and nominees, behind the scenes on the decisions for best picture, actor, etc for 1931-1932, Grand Hotel gets top honors, a tie and Walt Disney gets 2 awards.

1931--1932

Best Picture

NOMINEES: Arrowsmith, Bad Girl, The Champ, Grand Hotel, Five Star Final, One Hour with You, Shanghai Express Smiling Lieutenant

THE WINNER: Grand Hotel (MGM)

DIRECTOR: Edmund Goulding

PLAYERS: Greta Garbo, John Barrymore, Joan Crawford, Wallace Berry, Lionel Barrymore

Best Actor

NOMINEES: Alfred Lunt (The Guardsman); Wallace Berry (The Champ); Fredrick March (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde)

THE WINNER: (TIE) Wallace Beery and Fredric March

Best Actress

NOMINEES: Marie Dressler (Emma); Helen Hayes (The Sin Madelon Claudet); Lynn Fontanne (The Guardsman)

THE WINNER: Helen Hayes

Behind the Oscar

The 1st of only 2 tie votes in Academy Award history. Fredric March led Wallace Berry in the balloting by one vote, and the rules (later changed) stated that if leader and runner-up were only 3 votes apart, they were both considered winners. This was unexpected, and the Academy was short one Oscar. A runner was sent out to pick up a spare one. Walt Disney made off with 2 awards. His 1st was for the creation of Mickey Mouse.