Chapter 267: The Oscar Charity Banquet

On March 28, 1993, the 65th Academy Awards ceremony was held at the Los Angeles Music Center, while Arthur was at the Bel-Air Hotel mingling with some celebrities at the banquet.

When the Oscars ended, more Hollywood bigwigs would come to attend this Oscar Charity Celebration Banquet!

"Arthur, have you lost interest in the Oscars?" asked MPAA Chairman Jack Valenti, who was chatting with Arthur from the sofa.

Arthur smiled and pointed to the live broadcast screen not far away. "The Crying Game won Best Original Screenplay, Schindler's List won Best Adapted Screenplay, and next up are Best Actor, Best Supporting Actor, and Best Director and Best Picture, for which Galaxy has three nominations.

Galaxy is in the spotlight tonight. If we win Best Picture for three consecutive years, I'll be a little embarrassed!"

Jack Valenti laughed along. "You're truly Hollywood's golden boy. Last year, Galaxy's performance was nothing short of breathtaking. If you put on such a big show tonight and don't win the awards, won't that be quite embarrassing?"

Already, there were about a hundred celebrities gathered at the Bel-Air Hotel, enjoying fine wine, gourmet food, and stylish waiters. Besides old stars like Nancy Reagan and Elizabeth Taylor, there were also people from the fashion and media industries.

Arthur shook his head. "This is a charity banquet specifically to celebrate the Oscars. No matter who wins, the invited guests will all be here, not just Galaxy's filmmakers."

"I'm just creating an opportunity for everyone to gather and have a good time. After all, it's Oscar night!"

Jack Valenti remained silent, but he knew that a celebration banquet costing over a million dollars, along with Galaxy's almost certain Oscar wins tonight, would elevate the name of Galaxy Films to a new dimension.

"The development of Hollywood relies on new blood like yours. The globalization strategy also needs content to support it," Jack Valenti now viewed Arthur Smith as exceptionally brilliant and dazzling.

"Unfortunately, Galaxy is still just a mini-major studio. Is there really no way for us to get MPAA membership?" Arthur asked, looking directly into Jack Valenti's eyes.

Jack Valenti shook his head. "The seven MPAA membership slots are hard to expand. You need the approval of most members."

The MPAA holds the power of film rating and makes the rules, and its seven members are the top players. Arthur's Galaxy had lost considerable time and money due to the MPAA's rating system.

As the Oscar ceremony came to a close, Galaxy undoubtedly became the biggest winner. Schindler's List eventually won Best Picture and Best Director, marking Steven Spielberg's first Oscar win for Best Director. Scent of a Woman earned Al Pacino his long-awaited Best Actor award.

"Congratulations!" Arthur embraced Spielberg, who had arrived at the banquet. "You made a great film."

"Thank you. This film couldn't have come to fruition without your support," said a visibly excited Spielberg, celebrating his first Best Director Oscar.

"Go bask in the praise!"

After congratulating Spielberg, Arthur also congratulated Al Pacino, who was openly thrilled to finally win the Best Actor Oscar after many years.

Emma Thompson won Best Actress for Howards End. Gene Hackman took home the Best Supporting Actor for Unforgiven. However, Marisa Tomei, as a relatively unknown TV actress, was a controversial Best Supporting Actress winner for My Cousin Vinny, beating out more established names like Judy Davis and Miranda Richardson.

"Arthur, why didn't you even go to the Oscars tonight?" asked Winona Ryder, who had just returned from filming The Pelican Brief in Washington, D.C., and attended the Oscar ceremony.

Arthur smiled, "The spotlight was too bright, so I wanted to keep a low profile!"

Arthur had just seen Marisa Tomei and Robert Downey Jr. walking in hand in hand, looking very intimate. Robert Downey Jr. had been nominated for Best Actor for Chaplin, and Marisa Tomei, the Best Supporting Actress winner, had also appeared in Chaplin. Robert Downey Jr. had married last year, and his wife was now pregnant, yet it was clear he was involved with Marisa Tomei!

Well, in Hollywood, moral expectations are low.

Winona Ryder nodded, somewhat surprised. "This celebration banquet is quite grand. Many media people are here too."

Arthur pointed out, "We have to make a big splash. This is the Oscar Charity Celebration Banquet, co-hosted by Premiere magazine and Vanity Fair. From now on, attending this event should be an honor for the stars!"

Not only Winona Ryder, but other women who had attended the Oscars, like Jennifer Connelly and Sophie Marceau, changed into new dresses for the banquet. Nicole Kidman, who had just returned to Los Angeles and hadn't gone to the Oscars, also attended to gain some exposure.

In an upstairs bathroom, "Hmm," the kissing couple parted.

"You're amazing. Did you know Galaxy's films would win?" Nicole Kidman was amazed at Arthur's foresight in organizing the celebration banquet.

Arthur caressed Nicole's thigh and kissed her neck. "It has nothing to do with that. Even if other companies' films win, they're also invited guests. The hosts are Premiere and Vanity Fair magazines!"

"Okay, no wonder it's called the Oscar Charity Celebration Banquet," Nicole Kidman understood. "But isn't Winona downstairs? How dare you bring me here?"

Arthur laughed, his hand exploring Nicole's dress. "Are you worried about that?"

"I'm not worried. Who knows how many of your women are downstairs?" Nicole Kidman said, raising her snowy neck. "I just want to know which woman's bed you're planning to visit tonight!"

"You think too much," Arthur whispered in Nicole's ear, then positioned her over the sink.

"Arthur, wait," Nicole Kidman cautioned. "Wait until tonight, or I won't be able to attend the banquet. There are so many people and media tonight."

"Let's do it another way!"

Saying this, Nicole Kidman knelt in front of Arthur...

Half an hour later, Nicole Kidman was touching up her makeup in front of the mirror while Arthur, looking satisfied, left the bathroom.

*****

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