Dueling was a dangerous, ritualized response to a real (or perceived) slight. It may also have been a means of proving one's social and economic capital.

As José Ferrer was being handed his Oscar—making him the first Latino actor to win—he was being investigated by the House Un-American Activities Committee.

Research suggests that an Oscar nomination helps boost sales revenue in the weeks following the announcements. 

The American motion picture industry honors itself every year with the Academy Awards, now known officially as "The Oscars."