When reflecting back on the Oscars,  it’s some of the incredible speeches that come to mind. And here are some favourites :

Meryl Streep was extremely gracious when accepting her Best Actress award for Sophie’s Choice in 1981 … “I have a lot of people to thank and I’m going to be one of those people that tries to mention a lot of names, because I know just two seconds ago my mother and father went berserk and I’d like to give some other mothers and fathers that same opportunity.”

Juliette Binoche was also extremely gracious when she was clearly in shock at her upset win over favourite Lauren Bacall by saying “I’m so surprised! It’s true, I didn’t prepare anything. I thought Lauren was going to get it, and I think she deserves it.”

Mickey Rooney expressed one of the unspoken truths about some people’s stardom, that it can disappear as quickly as it arrives. When he accepted an honorary Oscar in 1982, he said “When I was 19 years old, I was the number one star of the world for two years; when I was 40, nobody wanted me — I couldn’t get a job.”

One of the most touching moments in Oscar history came in the 1977 ceremony, when true sentiment was expressed on the Oscar stage, something we don’t often see coming out of Hollywood. William Holden was out presenting with his dear friend and former co-star Barbara Stanwyck , and he delivered a heartfelt tribute to her, which she had not been expected, and she was visibly moved by it.

He said “Before Barbara and I present this next award, I’d like to say something. 39 years ago this month, we were working on a film together called “Golden Boy”, and it wasn’t going too well because I was going to be replaced. But due to this lovely human being and her interest and understanding, and her professional integrity, and her encouragement, and above all her generosity, I am here tonight.”

All kinds of other acceptance speeches have been extremely moving, including:

Steven Spielberg’s touching tribute to his mother and to the six million Jews killed in the Holocaust when he accepted his Best Director Oscar for Schindler’s List in 1993.

Al Pacino’s Best Actor acceptance speech in 1992, encouraging youngsters to go for their dream.

Louise Fletcher signing for her deaf parents when winning Best Actress in 1975 for One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest.

 Whoopi Golderg’s recent tribute to film critic Gene Siskel, who had recently passed away before the 1998 ceremony.

 Dustin Hoffman explaining his past criticism of the Academy when winning Best Actor for 1979′s Kramer vs. Kramer.

But one of the most memerable speeches was Tom Hanks accepting his first Best Actor prize, for Philadelphia, in 1993. His speech represented the voices silenced by AIDS, which was the main topic of the film he won the Oscar for, and as delivered by Hanks, still remains for one of the most moving acceptance speeches in Oscar history.

Here 1s that memorable speech : “I know that my work in this case is magnified by the fact that the streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names. They number a thousand for each one of the red ribbons that we wear here tonight. They finally rest in the warm embrace of the gracious creator of us all, a healing embrace that cools their fevers, that clears their skin, and allows their eyes to see the simple, self-evident commonsense truth that is made manifest by the benevolent creator of us all.”

” Iwant to thank…everybody I ever met in my entire life” Maureen Stapleton in 1982

Dianne Wiest in 1987: “Gee, this isn’t like I imagined it would be in the bathtub.”

Robin Williams in 1998: “Most of all, I want to thank my father, up there, the man who when I said I wanted to be an actor, he said, ‘Wonderful, just have a back-up profession like welding.’”

Short documentary winner Jessica Yu saying: “What a thrill. You know you’ve entered new territory when you realize that your outfit cost more than your film.”

Gwyneth’s cringeworthy acceptance speech in 2003, out-bawling Halle Berry and Nicole Kidman.

Tom Hanks accidentally outing his high school teacher in his Philadelphia speech in 1994.

Marlon Brando protesting about American behaviour by sending a Native American to collect his award in 1973. She was later revealed to be an aspiring actress.

“I am the king of the world” shrieks James Cameron moments after ordering a minute’s silence for the Titanic victims.

Jack Palance doing one-armed pushups when accepting his Oscar for City Slickers in 1991, to prove he could keep up with the young actors of today.

Cuba Gooding Jr in 1997: “Tom Cruise! I love you, brother! I love you, man!…Everybody, I love you. I love you all. Cameron Crowe! James L. Brooks! James L. Brooks, I love you. Everybody who’s involved with this, I love you. I love you. Everybody involved.”

Source: www.suite101.com