the year I went to the Oscars

Some of you will remember that my dad, Louis Garfinkle, co-wrote The Deer Hunter. So I went with my parents to the Oscars in 1979. My parents sat up front, and I sat further towards the back with my cousin. My dad's movie was up for lots of awards, and it was very nervewracking, which I hadn't expected it to be. I remember John Wayne announcing that The Deer Hunter had won for best picture. I also remember being in the ladies' room with a young Meryl Streep. (I think she got her first ever Oscar nomination that year, though she didn't win.)

I remember Christopher Walken winning for best supporting actor. But what I didn't remember is that Christopher Walken beat out John Hurt! I was in the same room with John Hurt, and I didn't even know it!?! (Because I hadn't become a fan of his quite yet.)

My dad and his writing partners were nominated for best screenplay but didn't win--Coming Home did. But wow, also in that category were Woody Allen (for Interiors, not a great film as I recall), Ingmar Bergman (for the awesome Autumn Sonata), and Paul Mazursky (for the very good An Unmarried Woman). Excellent company, Dad!