The Broadway Melody (1929)

Directed by Harry Beaumont

Starring Charles King, Anita Page, Bessie Love, Jed Prouty, Kenneth Thomsen, Mary Doran, and Eddie Kane

Undoubtedly one of the worst films to be honored by the Academy as the Best Picture of the year, The Broadway Melody ushered in the sound era with a completely forgettable backstage musical. Some of the songs, notably the title track, are worthwhile, but can also be found in much more worthy projects, especially Singin' in the Rain. The plot can be described as infuriating, as the song-writer/ performer protagonist (King) bounces from sister to sister (Page and Love), and neither sister seems to mind. This is definitely a movie that is only worth seeing if you are trying to see every Best Picture winner. Otherwise, don't waste your time.

Other nominees: No official nominees were announced in 1929.

Wings (1928)

Directed by William A. Wellman

Starring Clara Bow, Charles 'Buddy' Rogers, Richard Arlen, Jobyna Ralston, El Brendel, and Gary Cooper

Wings is the first film to win the Academy Award for Best Picture, and the only silent film to be so honored. There's not really much worth seeing here besides the historical significance. The story, about a beautiful girl and the two World War I soldiers that love her, is disposable and familiar. The scenes depicting airplanes in combat, though probably ground-breaking in their day, are no longer particularly impressive all these decades later. One bright spot is the cameo by a young Gary Cooper as a doomed hot-shot pilot. It should be noted that for the first and only time, the Academy awarded two Best Picture prizes: Best Picture, Production, which this film won, and is now considered the official historical predecessor of the modern Best Picture award, and Best Picture, Unique and Artistic Production. It's interesting to note that the winner of that second award, F.W. Murnau's Sunrise, is now considered an all-time classic, and Wings is all but forgotten.

Other nominees- Seventh Heaven (Frank Borzage) and The Racket (Lewis Milestone)

Intro

Hey, I don't know exactly what this is going to be, but I think I'm going to start with some sort of Oscar for Best Picture rundown. Stay tuned.