Vale – Gil Cates

Long time Hollywood producer, and legendary man behind-the-scenes of many an Oscar ceremony, Gilbert Cates, has passed away. Cates, who directed a number of films in the 70’s and 80’s, including O God Book II and The Last Married Couple In America, was best known as the man who reinvigorated a stale and steadfastly dull Oscar broadcast during the 90’s. After a decidedly bizarre Oscar’s ceremony in 1989, the Academy gave Cates the job of reinventing the formula for presenting this industry’s top gongs, and consequently the modern Oscar ceremony was born – thanks to the introduction of Billy Crystal and a focus on film clips. Cates went on to produce the Oscar ceremony 14 times over 18 years.

For his work behind the scenes at the Academy Awards, we salute Mr Cates today. He was 77.

Who wrote this?

Rodney Twelftree

“Some people say I like films. Those people are wrong. I *love* films.” – Me. I said this.

Rodney has been writing about films for well over two decades, appreciates a good wine, the love of his wife and kids, and the affection of his dog and cats. He has a fondness of cheesy 90’s action and classic Hollywood, hates that physical media is disappearing, and wishes somebody would make a high-budget series of The Neverending Story.

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