March 13th 1947 - Academy Awards. “The Best Years of Our Lives” won the Oscar for the Best Picture. The story centered around three combat veterans returning to their hometown after WWII. The critically acclaimed film won a total of seven Academy Awards. The Library of Congress, in 1989, selected it for the National Film Registry for its significance. William Wyler, the director, had flown combat missions over Europe in the making of the documentary “Memphis Belle” so he was sympathetic to the plight of returning veterans. He won the Best Director award for “The Best Years of Our Lives.” Some of the actors in minor roles were people who would later make their marks in other fields. Jazz drummer Gene Krupa had a non-speaking part, Tennessee Ernie Ford was cast as hillbilly singer, film director Blake Edwards appeared in an uncredited role as a corporal, as did the father of actor Sean Penn.
Always a pleasure to read....
thanks Gary