Grauman's Chinese Theatre

Raymond McCormick Kennedy was the guiding light and architect of the Grauman's Chinese Theater that opened in May 1927. Raymond McCormick Kennedy was born in New Brighton, Pennsylvania in 1891. He graduated from Cornell University in 1915 at the top of his class with a Bachelor's degree in... Architecture for which he received the American Institute of Architects Medal for General Excellence in Architecture. At this time he was also awarded the John Plaut Fellowship which paid for his return to Cornell for post graduate work. In 1916 Kennedy earned his Master's in Architecture at Cornell. Upon his completion of this degree he was awarded the American "Grand Prix de Rome" Scholarship in Architecture. This coveted prize entitled the recipient to three years of resident study at the Academy in Rome and included a stipend to cover expenses. His studies in Italy were interrupted by World War I. He volunteered to serve for the American Red Cross of Italy. This service delayed his studies in Rome for a year. While in Rome he completed several classically styled projects and in 1920 he was awarded the Diploma as a Fellow of the American Academy in Rome.
more

The 18th Academy Awards was the first such ceremony after World War II. As a result, the ceremony featured more glamour than had been present during... the war. Plaster statuettes that had been given out during the war years were replaced with bronze statuettes with gold plating. Despite this, director Billy Wilder's grim and socially significant drama The Lost Weekend took the top honors. It became the first film to win both the Academy Award for Best Picture and the Palme d'Or. Joan Crawford was absent, claiming she had pneumonia . As it turned out she did win, and the award was delivered to her while in bed that night. Winners are listed first and highlighted in boldface.
more