Ben Affleck and Kathryn Bigelow — both directors passed over for nominations at tonight’s ceremony — can comfort themselves with the fact they’re hardly the first to get snubbed by Oscar. Here are five famous oversights from history.
* “Citizen Kane” (1941)
Newspaper titan William Randolph Hearst, on whom the film’s main character was based, was so angry with “Kane” that he set out to sink it, banning ads for the movie in his publications and spreading gossip about its director, writer and star, Orson Welles. The film was booed at the ceremony, and it ended up taking home only a writing award.
* Alfred Hitchcock, for “Vertigo” (1958)
To Oscar’s eternal shame, Hitchcock never won Best Director, including for “Vertigo,” considered one of the greatest movies ever. When he was finally given a special lifetime achievement in 1968, he walked to the stage and uttered a biting “thank you” — the shortest acceptance speech in Oscar history.
* “Do the Right Thing” (1989)
Spike Lee’s story about race, violence and New York City proved too controversial for voters. “What film won Best Picture in 1989?” Lee later asked The Hollywood Reporter. “ ‘Driving Miss Motherf – – king Daisy!’ That’s why [Oscars] don’t matter. Because 20 years later, who’s watching ‘Driving Miss Daisy?’ ”
* “Saving Private Ryan” (1998)
Fans are still howling that Steven Spielberg’s WWII epic lost to romantic trifle “Shakespeare in Love.” Insiders credited the win to Miramax boss Harvey Weinstein and his savvy campaign tactics.
* “The Dark Knight” (2008)
To goose TV ratings, the Academy Awards expanded the number of Best Picture nominees, from five to as many as 10. Oscar wanted to put worthy blockbusters in contention — a role this Bat-sequel seemed to fit to a tee. Too bad it got ignored.