AND THE OSCAR GOES TO...TIMES SQUARE

From February 12 through 24, the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences sponsors a free exhibition called “MEET THE OSCARS” at Times Square Studios on Broadway between 43^rd and 44^th Streets in Manhattan. Last night I viewed the exhibition which showcases 50 newly minted golden statuettes (to be presented to winners at a future Academy Awards night), 2 statuettes that belonged to CLARK GABLE (for the movie “It Happened One Night”, 1934) and BETTE DAVIS (for “Jezebel”, 1938), and one statuette for the visiting public to hold and be photographed with. Each OSCAR weighs 8½ pounds and stands 13½ inches tall. Handmade yearly by R.S. Owens & Company in Chicago, the statuettes are made of britannium plated in copper, nickel, silver and finally, 24-karat gold. Britannium, a pewter-type alloy with a silvery appearance and smooth surface, is composed of tin (93%), antimony (5%) and copper (2%). Designed by Cedric Gibbons and sculpted by George Stanley, the Oscar statuette depicts a knight holding a sword and standing on a reel of film which has five spokes representing the five original branches of the Academy (actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers). The nickname Oscar probably originated from a remark by an Academy librarian and eventual executive director who said the statuette resembled her Uncle Oscar. Sans the red carpet, visitors and tourists who came to this exhibit had fun posing for photographs with a real Oscar statuette in their hands. And they didn’t have to deliver a thank you speech and get interrupted by the orchestra. As for me, it's a delight just to see and make pictures of the real Oscars.