The 1975 Oscars still spark outrage, partly due to controversies surrounding the ceremony. At the time, the event felt glamorous, but the mood quickly soured with notable moments that raised eyebrows.
Dustin Hoffman, nominated for Lenny, criticized the Oscars as “ugly” and “grotesque.” Although he didn’t win, Frank Sinatra mocked him, which didn’t sit well with the audience. Sinatra himself faced criticism for flubbing lines and making inappropriate comments, even getting booed by the crowd.
The most political moment came when Bert Schneider, accepting an Oscar for Hearts & Minds, read a telegram from the Viet Cong Ambassador, sparking a backlash from Bob Hope, a staunch Vietnam War supporter. His later attempt to quell the tension only angered others, like Shirley MacLaine and Warren Beatty.
The evening’s controversies highlight how the Oscars were, and still are, a stage for political statements, despite claims that they used to be apolitical.
