You may know the drill, but this time we’re changing things up a little. As part of MovieFanFare’s ongoing salute to all things Oscar-related, we turn the clock back to April 2, 1974. At that year’s 46th Annual Academy Awards ceremony, co-host David Niven was about to introduce Elizabeth Taylor when a audible gasp arose from the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion crowd. While the global TV audience only saw him from the waist up, folks in attendance watched as 34-year-old photographer Robert Opel ran across the stage flashing a peace sign and wearing nothing but a mustache and a wristwatch. Hollywood’s biggest night had just fallen victim to that most infamous of ’70s fads, streaking.
As the orchestra played “Fine and Dandy,” the ever-dapper Niven–uncertain at first what had happened–kept calm and carried on. “Well, ladies and gentlemen, that was almost bound to happen,” he deadpanned. “But isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings?” Opel was found getting dressed backstage and promptly hustled away. To this day debate rages as to whether the incident was his idea or part of a publicity stunt devised by producer Jack Haley, Jr. Sadly, Opel was killed in a 1979 robbery at the San Francisco adult art gallery he co-owned.
To mark this infamous moment in Academy history, we’ve added our own little caption to a photo of Opel and his cheeky display. Please feel free to try to top us by adding your own punchline–in good taste, of course–in the comments below.
“And now, here to present the award for Best Lack of Costume Design…”