A historical podcast about the winners of the Best Picture Academy Award. Learn why these films were chosen, how society influenced their production, and what the history of American film looks like with them in the spotlight - all from the mouth of Oscar himself!

This educational podcast is unofficial and not related to the Academy Motion Picture Arts & Sciences in any way.

Oscar's story about the Best Picture winners rolls into the Great Depression.

Learn how 'prestige' films leveraged the fame of contemporary authors to raise the profile of their studios, and why 'Cimarron' and 'Cavalcade' won Best Picture for giving audiences tales of Depression-era optimism.

Chapter 2 - 20th Century Blues

Hear the story of the Best Picture Award from Oscar himself.

His story starts in 1920s Los Angeles. Learn why the Academy was formed and how two early Best Picture winners, 'Wings' and 'All Quiet on the Western Front', were rewarded for their realistic portrayals of warfare.