51 Years Ago: Paul Newman & Robert Redford’s Heist Film Made Oscars History With 1 Of 7 Wins

The Sting, featuring the iconic performances of Paul Newman and Robert Redford, is celebrated not only for its thrilling plot but also for its significant impact on the Academy Awards. Renowned as one of the greatest heist films in cinematic history, it showcases the clever con artistry of Henry Gondorff (Newman) and Johnny Hooker (Redford) as they plot against the crime lord Doyle Lonnegan (Robert Shaw). Released in 1973, The Sting is regarded as one of the standout films in the careers of both Newman and Redford, with its heist sequence achieving legendary status.

The film’s remarkable blend of critical acclaim and commercial success culminated in ten nominations at the 46th Academy Awards held in 1974, resulting in seven wins. Its accolades included prestigious awards such as Best Picture, Best Director, Best Original Screenplay, and Best Film Editing, among others. While Redford earned a nomination for Best Actor, which ultimately went to Jack Lemmon for his role in Save the Tiger, it was The Sting‘s unique achievement in the Best Picture category that truly reshaped the future of film awards.

Julia Phillips: A Pioneering Figure in Oscar History

A Trailblazing Producer

Paul Newman and Robert Redford standing at bar counter with their hands up in The Sting

The production of The Sting was a collaborative effort led by Julia Phillips, her husband Michael Phillips, and Tony Bill. Julia Phillips achieved a historic milestone by becoming the first woman to receive a nomination and win for Best Picture at the Academy Awards. This landmark moment marked a significant shift for the Oscars, paving the way for greater recognition of women in this prestigious category.

In the years following Phillips’ groundbreaking win, more films produced by women began to receive nominations for Best Picture, notably E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial and The Color Purple, with Kathleen Kennedy among the latter’s producers. It wasn’t until 1989 that the second woman would win an Oscar for Best Picture, when Lili Fini Zanuck collaborated on Morgan Freeman’s Driving Miss Daisy.

A Second Oscar Nomination: Julia Phillips’ Next Move

Producer of Taxi Driver

In 1976, just three years after The Sting, Julia Phillips made history again by producing Martin Scorsese’s acclaimed film Taxi Driver, featuring Robert De Niro and Jodie Foster. This achievement made her the first woman ever to be nominated for Best Picture on two occasions. Despite this landmark recognition, the award for Best Picture that year went to Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky. Although Phillips continued her work in film, including producing Steven Spielberg’s Close Encounters of the Third Kind, her nomination for Taxi Driver remained her final recognition from the Academy.

While progress has been made, the journey towards full recognition of women in the film industry by the Academy Awards continues. Julia Phillips’ Oscar win with The Sting was an essential turning point, fostering opportunities for women in Hollywood. The increasing presence of female producers among Best Picture nominees is a positive trend. However, the Best Director category has seen slower progress, with Kathryn Bigelow being the first woman to win in 2010, followed by Chloé Zhao and Jane Campion. Although there is still much work to be done, Phillips’ legacy proves that significant strides can lead to meaningful change in the industry.

Source & Images