Awards presented May 16, 1929
(Films released from August 1, 1927 through August 1, 1928 were eligible.)
The nominees were ...
(Production)
(Unique and Artistic Picture)
... when they should have been ...
And the Oscar went to ...
Wings (Production) and
Sunrise (Unique and Artistic Picture).
The Academy actually got off to a good start in a bad year. With the industry in turmoil over the coming of sound, it decided to limit the awards to silent films only. This was a wise decision in that we have come to realize how different sound films are from silent ones -- so different that silent film is almost an entirely distinct medium. By avoiding that apples/oranges clash, the Academy gave some consistency to its choices. This decision also removed the year's most talked-about film, The Jazz Singer, from competition, though it received one of the first honorary award as "the pioneer talking picture, which has revolutionized the industry."
But then the Academy muddled things: It gave two best picture awards. One was for "best production," the other for "unique and artistic picture" (the category label is inconsistent in Academy records, and is sometimes listed as "artistic quality of production"). The former award went to Wings, which is usually cited as the first "best picture" winner, though Sunrise, a superior film in all respects, really deserves at least equal acknowledgment.
Of course, the problem lies in distinguishing whether a movie is "unique and artistic," and the separation into two categories rather suggests that the "best production" is by comparison neither of those, so the Academy wisely abandoned the attempt. But the point is that neither film is an embarrassment to the Academy. Wings is a rousing entertainment that introduced moviegoers to an up-and-coming actor in a small role: Gary Cooper.
... when it should have gone to ...
An acknowledged masterpiece, one of the last great silent films. In the poll conducted in 2012 by Sight and Sound magazine, to determine the best films in history for the British Film Institute, Sunrise placed fifth. It is the last great film from director F.W. Murnau, who failed to be nominated. Rochus Gliese was nominated for his memorable production design, but lost. Oscars went to Janet Gaynor for her touching performance (she was also cited for Seventh Heaven and Street Angel), and to Charles Rosher and Karl Struss for their magnificent cinematography -- we would not see camerawork like theirs again until the industry mastered sound recording.
