31st Academy Awards Press

Black text and black stars on a white background with a blue Oscar in the background.

The 31st Academy Awards were held at the RKO Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles on April 6, 1959 to honor motion pictures released in 1958.  From 1949 through 1959, this American movie industry's annual event was held there.  All efforts by the Academy are the result of committee work including granting press access. ‘Legitimate and verifiable members of the media’ must register with the Academy to be considered for the privilege of receiving press passes and Oscar Week credentials in order to attend and report on the event.

The 31st Awards in 1959 were the shortest televised Academy ceremony, with a running time of one hour and forty minutes, due to efforts of the producer to not go long. The event was hosted by an ensemble of a half dozen actors including David Niven. That night Niven ended up winning Best Actor making him the only host in Oscar history to have won an award during the same ceremony.  The Academy Awards are the oldest entertainment awards ceremony.