Oscars Playback: When ‘Platoon’ and Paul Newman capped off their long roads with gold
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 59th Academy Awards in 1987, honoring the films of 1986.
“Platoon” was the big winner of the night, taking four awards, including Best Picture, capping off a dream run for Best Director champ Oliver Stone. A Vietnam War vet, Stone had been wanting to make “Platoon” for years, but no studio would bite. “Platoon” became a surprise box office hit when it opened in December, propelling it over early frontrunner and critical fave “Hannah and Her Sisters” for the top prize.
More from GoldDerby
SEE Oscars Playback: When ‘Out of Africa’ and ‘The Color Purple’ had a polar opposite night
The Woody Allen film didn’t go home empty-handed, grabbing three wins, Best Original Screenplay and both supporting categories for Dianne Wiest and Michael Caine. Meanwhile, Paul Newman, on his seventh acting nomination, finally won his first Oscar for Best Actor for “The Color of Money,” just one year after receiving and honorary Oscar… which he accepted from the set of “The Color of Money.” It was the latest in career/sentimental wins at the Oscars during an era of them. And “Children of a Lesser God’s” Marlee Matlin made history in Best Actress, becoming the category’s youngest winner at 21 a record that still stands today — and the first deaf performer to prevail.
Elsewhere, we discuss Bette Davis‘ snafu, Dustin Hoffman interminable Best Picture presentation and more.
Timestamps:
Intro and ceremony thoughts (0:00)
Our favorite films of 1986 (7:00)
Red carpet and opening (40:29)
Best Picture (45:58)
Best Director (51:56)
Best Actor (54:56)
Best Actress (1:08:44)
Best Supporting Actor (1:22:11)
Best Supporting Actress (1:29:20)
Screenplay awards (1:31:16)
Other awards (1:32:38)
PREDICTthe 2025 Oscar nominees by Jan. 17
Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?
Best of GoldDerby
Sign up for Gold Derby's Newsletter. For the latest news, follow us on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.