MY VERY FIRST OSCARS----1966

MY VERY FIRST OSCAR SHOW WAS IN 1966.              I WAS TWO.

Winners-Lee Marvin, Julie Christie, Shelley Winters, Martin Balsam

Here's the video of Julie winning.

https://youtu.be/noWGhOFDL1Q


I was a young cub reporter and out of my mind that I was covering the Oscars. I was carrying a large Rollie camera, a green steno pad and a pen. I had a pass that would let me go anywhere. I mean anywhere.

Outside the press entrance a very cute guy in a tuxedo came over to me. His name was Durmond Blatnik. He saw I was having trouble carrying everything and he asked if he could help me. I gratefully told him yes. We walked into the red carpet area together. No one questioned whether he had a pass or not. That's how easy it was to get into the Oscars then. He went with me everywhere, holding my purse when I needed to shoot or write.

You have to understand, in those days there were almost no controls on press. We wandered everywhere back stage. Eventually you went into the big press room which was for both print and TV. It was fantastic bedlam. Print reporters were seated at long tabes tht had pads and pens for them, plus a press release on who won. All the cameras and lights were behind us on risers of different levels. All the reporters had to scream to be heard. There were no "private set-up/rooms" for certain reporters or shows. Now, in the press area, it's almost Fascistic. Behave or we lock you up.

I followed Kim Novak, Audrey Hepburn, and Julie Christie all night. It was a dream come true. My sadness was that Katharine Hepburn didn't show up. I took incredible photos of everyone there, and I have all the original negatives and prints in a vault. That vault isn't in Palm Springs, so I can't put them in this story today.

Come to think of it, I have all original negatives of all my photos from Elvis, the Beatles, The Stones, The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, and so many movie stars of over 40 years. I think I know what my next book will be!!!

Shirley and Warren

Julie back stage

Audrey back stage

Beloved Natalie

KIm Novak, Laszlo Kovacks, Richard Johnson. The day before this photo was taken Kim told Richard she wanted a divorce.

For a kid who grew up in the 50s, it was beyond all comprehension to be able to see all the stars in their native habitat. I got over that quickly as many became my life-long friends.

And, by the way, after the evening was over, Durmond confessed that he had no pass and used me to walk in. I thought it was hilarious. He was so sweet about it, and we're still friends.

I have since been to the Oscars more than a dozen times. It's still exciting--even with all the public relations nightmares and mistakes made.