Oscar History: Academy Award Winning Movies and Actors of 1945

A look at Oscar winners and nominees, behind the scenes on the decisions for best picture, actor, etc for 1945, Billy Wilder's The Lost Weekend gets top honors.

1945

Best Picture

NOMINEES: Anchors Aweigh, The Bells of St. Mary's, Mildred Pierce, The Lost Weekend, Spellbound

THE WINNER: The Lost Weekend (Paramount)

DIRECTOR: Billy Wilder

PLAYERS: Ray Milland, Jane Wyman

Best Actor

NOMINEES: Bing Crosby (The Bells of St. Mary's); Gene Kelly (Anchors Aweigh); Ray Milland (The Lost Weekend); Gregory Peck (The Keys of the Kingdom); Cornel Wilde (A Song to Remember)

THE WINNER: Ray Milland

Best Actress

NOMINEES: Ingrid Bergman (The Bells of St. Mary's); Joan Crawford (Mildred Pierce); Greer Garson (The Valley of Decision); Jennifer Jones (Love Letters); Gene Tierney (Leave Her to Heaven)

THE WINNER: Joan Crawford

Behind the Oscar

Joan Crawford, sick in bed with the flu, was the surprise winner--a sentimental choice--over Ingrid Bergman. Crawford accepted her Oscar and the press while propped up in her bed.