Reel Credit
The bubble and froth they call the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences Awards is over for another year. They were inaugurated in 1928 as part of Hollywood’s drive to improve its less-than-respectable image. Academy librarian and eventual Executive Director Margaret Herrick remarked that the statuette looked like her uncle Oscar and the nickname has stuck ever since. Prosaic if you ask me.
The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award
Sometimes I think the original spirit and sentiment of the Awards gets lost in all the bubble and froth but I’m heartened by other Awards that come as part of the wider picture of the Industry and the Awards night. One of those is ‘The Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award’ given to an “individual in the motion picture industry whose humanitarian efforts have brought credit to the industry.” The award is named for the Danish actor and translator who co-founded the Motion Picture Relief Fund and served as Academy President during a crucial time in the organisation’s history.
Jean Hersholt was born and raised in Denmark and toured theatres throughout Europe with his performer parents. In 1913, he emigrated to the U.S. and beginning his American film career as an extra. Larger parts followed in 1916-17 productions and by the 1920s Hersholt worked under contract to Paramount-Famous Players-Lasky becoming one of the film industry’s most prolific actors. He was cast as the lead villain in countless films.
When “talkies” were introduced, Hersholt managed to overcome his strong Danish accent by becoming a character actor, he played the role of Heidi’s grandfather opposite Shirley Temple in the film of the same name. In 1936, Hersholt portrayed Dr. Allan Roy Dafoe, the real-life obstetrician who delivered the then-world-famous Dionne quintuplets, in “The Country Doctor.” By 1937 he began what was to become a 17-year-long career portraying a kind, generous and ethical doctor on radio, and in 1939 RKO produced “Meet Dr. Christian,” which led to a six-film series for himself.
That same year, Hersholt followed in the footsteps of the fictional Dr. Christian by helping to form the Motion Picture Relief Fund designed to provide support and medical care for motion picture industry employees unable to care for themselves. These efforts led to an honorary Academy Award that he shared with Fund co-founders Ralph Morgan, Ralph Block and Conrad Nagel. The Fund also led to the creation of the Motion Picture Country House and Hospital in Woodland Hills, California.
Jean Hersholt: President of the Academy
From 1945 to 1949, Hersholt deepened his relationship with the Academy by serving as its President. It was during his tenure that the Hollywood studios stopped financing the annual awards ceremony, and Hersholt fought to keep the organisation thriving. In addition to his film work Hersholt’s Danish background and love of Hans Christian Andersen led to his English translation of over 160 of Andersen’s fairy tales. These efforts were lauded by King Christian X of Denmark who knighted Hersholt in 1948 and the translations were published in 1949 as a six-volume set entitled “The Complete Andersen.”
In 1955, Hersholt received his final film credit, in Nicholas Ray’s Western “Run for Cover.” The following year although he was dying of cancer he graciously agreed to appear on the first episode of television’s new “Dr. Christian” programme bestowing his “Practice” on the new Dr. Christian portrayed by MacDonald Carey. Hersholt died on June 2, 1956, and almost immediately the Academy established the ‘Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award’.
Like Klods Hans
Hersholt’s grave is marked with a statue of Klods Hans, a Hans Christian Anderson hero who went forth from Denmark into the world hoping to win the heart of a princess. Hersholt himself went out from Denmark and he won the heart of an entire industry. The ‘Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award’ is the Academy’s ongoing tribute to a humanitarian whose efforts indeed brought credit to his industry.
The 2009 recipient of the ‘Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award’ was Jerry Lewis. The 82-year-old actor is now best-known for his annual telethon for the Muscular Dystrophy Association as an advocate of “Jerry’s Kids. His acceptance speech though short was heart felt. He said, “For most of my life I thought that doing good for someone didn’t mean you would receive commendation for that act of kindness. At least until now. This award touches my heart and the very depth of my soul because of who the award is from and those who will benefit.”
The Muscular Dystrophy Telethon
The Muscular Dystrophy telethon has been broadcast on Labor Day since 1966 although Lewis’ fundraising efforts began in the 1950s. “The impact of his humanitarian efforts on people with muscle-wasting diseases is beyond measure”, Muscular Dystrophy Association President Gerald C. Weinberg said.
Lewis’ award was not however without controversy as a small group of protesters estimated to number about 50 strong demonstrated outside the Academy Awards saying Lewis’ telethon was outdated and he forced people to pity those with Muscular Dystrophy. Whether their criticisms are valid or not, a man with less substance might have found a better way to spend his time. No one knows why Jerry Lewis, chooses to devote so much time to helping people with neuro-muscular diseases. He feels it isn’t important why he’s involved; rather, it’s important that he IS involved.
The Stand-Up Humanitarian
I mean to say, 59 years is a long time to be doing a gig simply for the love of it! Or just maybe, that’s exactly what it is. I checked, he doesn’t get paid. If a guy was making research and development possible by bringing in billions of dollars because he was lending his efforts and energy to doing that over a sustained period of time, the rest of us ignoring 50 protesters is the least we can do. The stats speak for themselves. Every year the Telethon donations and pledges have increased. Lewis’ actions epitomise the spirit of the ‘Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award’ and to sufferers of neuro-muscular diseases it’s probably not even the half of it! In the end, it’s them that really matter.
