Oscars Playback: When ‘Amadeus’ hit the right notes and Hollywood (really) liked Sally Field

Welcome back to Oscars Playback, in which Gold Derby editors and Experts Christopher Rosen and Joyce Eng revisit Oscar ceremonies and winners of yesteryear. This week, we cover the 57th Academy Awards in 1985, honoring the films of 1984.

“Amadeus” topped the night with eight wins from a co-leading 11 nominations (tied with “A Passage to India”). The period drama nabbed Best Picture (the second of three Best Picture wins for producer Saul Zaentz), Best Director for Milos Forman and Best Actor for F. Murray Abaraham, who defeated co-star Tom Hulce. This marked the 12th and last time multiple performers from the same film were nominated for Best Actor.

SEE Oscars Playback: When ‘Terms of Endearment’ and Shirley MacLaine deserved this

But the ceremony might most be remembered for spawning the oft misquoted line, “You like me! You really like me!” What Sally Field, who won her second Best Actress statuette with “Places in the Heart,” actually said was, “I haven’t had an orthodox career and I’ve wanted more than anything to have your respect. The first time I didn’t feel it, but this time I feel it. And I can’t deny the fact that you like me. Right now, you like me! Thank you.” But as we’ll see in future ceremonies, the Oscars did their own part in turning the line into a meme.

Elsewhere, we discuss Laurence Olivier’s Best Picture announcement flub, the year of Farm Wives and more.

Timestamps:
Intro and general thoughts (0:00)
Our favorite films of 1984 (4:08)
Ceremony thoughts (28:06)
Best Picture (36:25)
Best Director (47:35)
Best Actor (50:18)
Best Actress (1:01:18)
Best Supporting Actor (1:13:21)
Best Supporting Actress (1:19:02)
Screenplay awards (1:21:03)
Other awards (1:23:20)

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