Lord Laurence Olivier was presented an honorary Academy Award on April
9, 1979 "For the full body of his work, for the unique achievements of
his entire career and his lifetime of contribution to the art of
film." (Awards presented in 1979 dealt with films released during
1978.)
Internet Movie Database
http://us.imdb.com/Sections/Awards/Academy_Awards_USA/1979/
Here is a transcript of the acceptance speech:
"Oh dear friends, am I supposed to speak after that? Cary, my dear old
friend for many a year, from the earliest years of either of us
working in this country. Thank you for that beautiful citation and the
trouble you have taken to make it and all the warm generosities in it.
Mr. President and governors of the Academy, committee members,
fellows, my very noble and approved good masters, my colleagues, my
friends, my fellow students: In the great wealth, the great firmament
of your nation's generosities this particular choice may perhaps be
found by future generations as a trifle eccentric, but the mere fact
of it -- the prodigal, pure, human kindness of it -- must be seen as a
beautiful star in that firmament which shines upon me at this moment
dazzling me a little, but filling me with the warmth of the
extraordinary elation, the euphoria that happens to so many of us at
the first breath of the majestic glow of a new tomorrow. From the top
of this moment, in the solace, in the kindly emotion that is charging
my soul and my heart at this moment, I thank you for this great gift
which lends me such a very splendid part in this, your glorious
occasion. Thank you."
Mr-Moody.com
http://www.mr-moody.com/goldenboy/whoswho2/olivier_l.htm
The mention of "Cary" at the beginning of the speech is a reference to
Cary Grant, who had introduced Olivier. In a witty tip of his hat to
William Shakespeare, Olivier made use of the phrase "my very noble and
approved good masters," a direct quote from "Othello," which Olivier
filmed in 1965.
The Mr-Moody site, linked above, has a small photo showing the
bearded, dapper Olivier at the Academy Awards ceremony, but I have not
been able to locate a video of the event. I hope this information will
be sufficent to your needs. Please request clarification if anything
I've said is not clear, or if a link does not function.
Search terms used:
"laurence olivier"
"academy awards"
"lifetime achievement"
"honorary"
"acceptance speech"
Best wishes,
pinkfreud |
