The beginning : unions, censors, and scandals -- Academies. And awards? -- A little figure for Cedric Gibbons -- A system evolves -- The Hays incursion -- ...and sciences -- Academy washed up : ash can looms -- Better than precious ointment -- Frank Capra's new deal -- Honorary awards -- Bette Davis and the war -- Postwar and Cold War -- Straining at the leash -- Into the modern era -- Oscar full-blown

"The early history of the formation of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences and its most famous award-the Oscar-as told by its former executive director who reveals many previously unknown stories"--