THE D. W. GRIFFITH AWARDS
The Career Achievement Award was presented to Shirley Temple, beloved child star and, later, the noted diplomat. Clips from her early movies brought a standing ovation.
On Monday, February 22nd, the National Board of Review presented its annual D. W. Griffith Awards at Manhattan's Equitable Center in a ceremony co-hosted by Jane Powell and her husband, Dick Moore.
They were introduced by NBR President Inez Salinger Glucksman, who noted that the 1992 Awards marked the 75th anniversary of the first 10-Best List announced (in 1917) by the National Board.
"Tonight, we celebrate the year of Howards End, as well as Dan Quayle's," said Moore. The first presenter was Geraldine Fitzgerald, who was there to give a Special Award for the restoration of Orson Welles's Othello. Julian Schlossberg, head of Castle Hill Films and the person who financed the restoration, accepted.
Named for a Special Award for the year's Most Auspicious Debut was Jaye Davidson in The Crying Game. Eartha Kitt presented the plaque to Crying Game producer Stephen Woolley.
Also named for a Special Award was Robin Williams, for his vocal pyrotechnics as the voice of the Genie in Aladdin. Daisy Eagan, a Tony winner for The Secret Garden, made the presentation to Lea Salonga, who won the Tony for Miss Saigon--and was the singing voice for the princess in Aladdin.
Brother's Keeper received the Griffith Award for Best Documentary. Critic Judith Crist presented to filmmakers Joe Berlinger and Bruce Sinofsky.
Ric Burns accepted the TV Award for his production of The Donner Party from Lee Grant. And Eddie Bracken presented a Special Award for Ted Turner--for preserving and celebrating lost films. Bill Tush of CNN Entertainment News accepted for Turner.
John Neville presented the Best Supporting Actor Award, which was accepted for Jack Nicholson (A Few Good Men) by Tony Randall, whose funny acceptance speech was a highlight of the ceremony.
Best Supporting Actress winner, Judy Davis (Husbands And Wives) was unable to attend and sent a letter of thanks. Peter Riegert presented the Best Foreign Film (Indochina) Award to Michael Barker of Orion Classics.
Best Actor winner Jack Lemmon (Glengarry Glen Ross) was filming and unable to attend. Jerry Orbach, who won a Tony playing the character that Lemmon created in The Apartment in the film's Broadway musical version, Promises, Promises, made the presentation to Matthew Broderick, who will be seen opposite Lemmon in the cable presentation of David Mamet's A Life In The Theater.
Emma Thompson, recipient of the Best Actress Award for Howards End, was bedridden with flu and Jessica Tandy stepped in to accept her plaque from Mandy Patinkin (with whom Thompson appeared in Impromptu).
Alec McCowen made a special joint presentation of the awards for Best Director and Best Picture. A taped acceptance by James Ivory and Ismail Merchant preceded Orion Classics' Tom Bernard and Marcie Bloom, who accepted in person.
A selection of Shirley Temple clips--from 1934's Now And Forever and 1936's Poor Little Rich Girl--were provided by William K. Everson and made a delightful prelude to the presentation of the Griffith Award for Career Achievement by Roddy McDowall to Shirley Temple Black.
The dapper McDowall commented that he and the Guest of Honor were born "in exactly the same year. However, she was born in the month of April, whilst I did not arrive until the following September. All of which means that I have spent my entire life being in love with an older woman."
McDowall played on the concept that the media insists "stellar child performers are totally doomed upon their arrivals at the shores of maturity.
"Poor, poor Shirley Temple," continued McDowall, listing her achievements as U.S. Ambassador to Ghana (1974-1976) and "the Czech and Slovak Republic" (1990-92), and as Chief of Protocol (1976-77). He noted that the former actress had been happily married "for many a decade" and was the mother of three. Furthermore, said McDowall, "She has graced every moment of her activity with a unique talent and rare good taste. In all these many years, she has never disappointed those initial radiant hopes that America and the world invested in her persona, during one of the most bleak periods of its history. There is no one more worthy," concluded McDowall, "to receive the prestigious D. W. Griffith Career Achievement Award than Shirley Temple Black."
Greeted by a standing ovation, movies' most popular child star thanked McDowall, "a very much admired and thoughtful friend. And, Roddy, you are a consummate professional." She also thanked co-hosts Dick Moore and Jane Powell. "Dick Moore allegedly gave me my first screen kiss (in 1942's Miss Annie Rooney)," she noted--joking about the quick peck on the cheek, "If that was a kiss, kid, forget it!" She allowed that Moore must have improved his technique, "otherwise, Jane would never have married you."
The recipient thanked all of the evening's winners (some of whom were absent), and added: "You can see that the only person who isn't working could come."
She kidded about "your Board Administrator, Robin Little, who did her best to have just the name Shirley Temple on the award. She has a point. My childhood autograph has better market value than my married one. I'm told the going price for an authentic `Shirley Temple' autograph is $400. Charlie," she called to her husband, Charles Black, "we've got to collect some of those." She claimed a "Shirley Temple Black' draws $30.
The recipient opted for three names, "just like they do in Washington, D.C."--referring to the new First Lady.
Calling attention to the fact that she's "been between films for 44 years," Shirley Temple Black lastly thanked the National Board, and noted that she was a bit "troubled" by the words "Career Achievement," because of its "ring of finality. Forgive me, if when I get home, I add two words: `So far!'"
A good time was had by all. Who and what will be next year's winners?
BY MICHAEL BUCKLEY
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Source: Films in Review, May/Jun93, Vol. 44 Issue 5/6, p147, 4p
