MEET THE OSCARS

Just like last year, 50 Oscar statuettes are on display at the Times Square Studios at 1500 Broadway at West 44th Street from February 15 through February 23. Tourists flocked to the studios to see the statuettes, and to have their pictures taken while holding an actual Oscar statuette. I took some photos of the exhibit earlier this afternoon. One display showed the statuettes in different stages of manufacturing. The statuettes are made each year by the Chicago-based R.S. Owens Company.The official name of the Oscar statuette is the "Academy Award® of Merit." Each statuette is 13.5 inches tall and weighs 8.5 pounds. Each statuette is made from the britannium and is then plated in copper, nickel, silver, and finally, 24-karat gold. Designed by Cedric Gibbons, the Oscar statuette depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword, standing on a reel of film. The film reel features five spokes, representing the actors, directors, producers, technicians and writers.