Best Picture: Grand Hotel
Actor Conrad Nagel was the master of ceremonies.
Wallace Beery (The Champ) and Fredric March (Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) tied for Best Actor.
They came within one vote of each other so, according to Academy rules at the time, they shared the recognition.
In October 1931, Dick Tracy, a comic strip detective character created by cartoonist Chester Gould, made his debut appearance in the Detroit Mirror newspaper.
In December 1931, Jane Addams became the first American woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize for her work with Hull House and the Women’s International League for Peace and Freedom.
In December 1931, Hattie Caraway became the first woman to serve in the United States Senate when she was appointed to fill her late husband’s seat. She was confirmed in a special election in January 1932.
In February 1932, Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World was published.
On May 2, 1932, comedian Jack Benny’s radio show aired for the first time.
On July 8, 1932, the Dow Jones reached its lowest level of the Great Depression, bottoming out at 41.22.
Special Award
To Walt Disney for the creation of Mickey Mouse.