February 2013 Auction Ends Thursday, February 28th, 5pm Pacific
This lot is closed for bidding. Bidding ended on 2/28/2013
Academy Award presented to Lewis R. Foster for ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington''. Foster won the category of Best Original Story, garnering the film its only Oscar of 11 nominations. Directed by the legendary Frank Capra, Foster's story about an honest and well-intentioned man who finds himself a new Senator in a corrupt body was unpublished when Columbia purchased the rights to it. Controversial for its portrayal of United States government officials as dishonest, the story was deemed risky by Hays Code enforcement, the censorship group. Nevertheless, it was adapted for the screen by Sidney Buchman, who later found himself on the Hollywood blacklist for communism after becoming president of the Screen Writers Guild. After its difficult road to getting made, ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington'' is now considered one of the classic American movies of Golden Age Hollywood. Plaque on the front of black Belgian marble base reads: ''Academy First Award / To / Lewis R. Foster / For Writing Original Story Of / 'Mr. Smith Goes To Washington'''. Behind the ''Oscar'' figure's feet, an engraved plaque mounted to the base reads ''Academy Of / Motion Picture Arts And Sciences / First Award / 1939''. The well-preserved statue measures 11.75'' in total height with the statue itself measuring 10.25''. Base diameter measures 5.25''. Weighs 7 pounds, 6.5 ounces. Underside is lined with green felt. Light rubbing to metal at figure's legs and on the right side of chest, else fine. The singular Oscar from the classic and inspiring American film.
Oscar Awarded to Lewis R. Foster for Best Original Story in 1940 for the Classic ''Mr. Smith Goes to Washington''
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