July 2012 Auction Ends Tuesday, July 31st, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 7/31/2012
Oscar presented to legendary Hollywood actress Mary Astor for Best Supporting Actress as Sandra in 1941's ''The Great Lie.'' Astor began as a star of the silent era and successfully transitioned into talkies. In this film, she plays a concert pianist caught in a love triangle with her costars George Brent and Bette Davis. Directed by Edmund Goulding, it was adapted by Lenore J. Coffee from the Polan Banks novel ''January Heights.'' The Oscar ceremony was held at the Biltmore in Los Angeles on 26 February 1942, a landmark year for film, in which ''How Green Was My Valley'' and ''Citizen Kane'' took home Oscars. It was also a career-defining year for Astor, whose work opposite Humphrey Bogart in ''The Maltese Falcon'' contributed to her lasting fame. Issued during the period when the traditional Oscar statue was only given to actors in leading roles, this bronze tablet-style award features the Oscar figure in relief. Beside it, the words ''Academy / of / Motion Picture / Arts & Sciences / Award of Merit / for / Outstanding / Achievement'' appear. Mounted to a black marble base. A plaque on the front of the base is engraved: ''Presented to Mary Astor / In Recognition of Her Performance in / 'The Great Lie' / 1941''. Award measures 6.25'' in total height, 5.75'' across, and base measures 3.25'' deep. Oxidation to metal plate near the base and to plaque around the edges. Tarnishing to plaque, and a few very small and shallow chips to base edges. In very good condition. Mary Astor's only Academy Award.
Mary Astor's Best Supporting Actress Oscar for ''The Great Lie'' -- 1941 -- Same Year as ''The Maltese Falcon''
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