GOLDEN OLDIE
When you tune in to the 89th Academy Awards broadcast Sunday from the Dolby Theater in Los Angeles, the theme of the night will be glitz (with glamour and excess sprinkled around like so much garnish). But in Oscar’s nascent years, the festivities were much more low-key. When this Nov. 10, 1931, photo was taken, Norma Shearer, right center, was presenting the Oscar to Marie Dressler at the Academy Awards banquet in the Sala D’Oro, Biltmore Hotel in Los Angeles. Dressler won the best actress award for her role in ‘Min and Bill.’ Seated at left is George Arliss and at right is Lionel Barrymore, who won the best actor award for his role in ‘A Free Soul.’ Yes, the dining table was the podium, but they did fancy it up with some flowers.