19 of the biggest upsets in Oscar history – WBNews

1/19 SLIDES © Snap/Rex Shutterstock ‘How Green Was My Valley’ beats ‘Citizen Kane’ – 1942 One of the top-rated and critically acclaimed films of all time, “Citizen Kane” failed to win the Best Picture honor. The movie was partially inspired by the life of media mogul William Randolph Hearst, who wasn’t particularly impressed with the comparison. Hearst reportedly banned the film for reviews or even a mention in his papers. It also suppressed its chance for wider reach and promotion. On the other hand, “How Green Was My Valley,” with its multi-generational tale of a family’s victories and tragedies, was perfectly placed for the Oscars. 2/19 SLIDES © Hulton Archive/Getty Images ‘Going My Way’ beats ‘Double Indemnity’ – 1945 It was shocking when the Billy Wilder-directed film noir “Double Indemnity” did not receive a single Academy Award despite earning seven nominations. Today, this classic is seen as having influenced filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese and the Coen brothers. Despite being one of Bing Crosby’s greatest films, “Going My Way” winning seven Oscars still surprises people. 3/19 SLIDES © MGM/Rex/Shutterstock ‘An American in Paris’ beats ‘A Streetcar Named Desire’ – 1952 An adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ classic play, “A Streetcar Named Desire” didn’t manage to win the Best Picture award, despite powerhouse performances by Marlon Brando and Vivien Leigh. “An American in Paris” won, with many believing its musical theme lined up perfectly with the times and an Oscar nod. 4/19 SLIDES © Mondadori via Getty Images ‘The Greatest Show on…more detail