September 3, 2002
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
CONTACT: Dawn Newell (310) 247-3000
                 dnewell@oscars.org

Academy's Diamond Anniversary Screening Series to Feature "The Best Years of Our Lives"

	"The Best Years of Our Lives" starred Dana Andrews and Virginia Mayo as Fred and Marie Derry. The drama, which depicted the problems faced by three veterans returning home after World War II, won the Oscar® for Best Picture at the 19th Academy Awards®.

Beverley Hills, CA - The Supporting Actor Oscar^® statuette won by real-life war veteran Harold Russell for his performance as Homer Parrish in "The Best Years of Our Lives" will be on display at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences next Monday, September 9, when the Oscar-winning film screens at 7:30 p.m. in the Academy's Samuel Goldwyn Theater.

The 19th film to win a Best Picture Oscar, "The Best Years of Our Lives" will be shown as part of the Academy's 75th anniversary screening series, "Facets of the Diamond: 75 Years of Best Picture Winners."

"The Cat Concerto," which won the Oscar for Cartoon Short Subject in 1946, also will be part of the evening's program. The Best Song of 1946, "On the Atchison, Topeka and the Santa Fe" from the film "The Harvey Girls," will provide the curtain music.

Tickets may be purchased, pending availability, at a cost of $5 each for the general public and $3 for Academy members and students with a valid I.D. Tickets may be purchased in person at the Academy during regular business hours or by mail. The Academy is located at 8949 Wilshire Boulevard in Beverly Hills. For more information, call 310-247-3000, ext. 111.

Editors: Please note that downloadable photos from this film are available at http://photos.oscars.org