Golden Globe History

It is January 22nd, 1954 at the Club del Mar in Santa Monica and Marilyn Monroe, radiant in a tight gown with plunging neckline, is all smiles as she holds her cumbersome Henrietta Award statuette (named after the then-president Henry Gris). She has been voted the World Film Favorite at the 11th Golden Globes.

The Studio System has its last hurrah; social and cultural turmoil shakes the US and Europe, and a massive generation - the post-war Baby Boomers - demand new everything: cinema, music, fashion, customs. The Golden Globes shuttle between the Cocoanut Grove of the Ambassador Hotel and the Beverly Hilton, both hot spots of LA nightlife; the brand new Century Plaza is added to the circuit in the 1970s.

In 1995 Sandra Bullock was interviewed by the journalists of the Hollywood Foreign Press about While You Were Sleeping, a romantic comedy directed by Jon Turtletaub, in which she plays a Chicago Transit token collector who saved a man’s life. That performance earned her the first of five Golden Globe nominations as Best Actress.

Launched in February of 1944 with an informal luncheon at 20th Century Fox Studios ( the winners received a scroll), the Golden Globes began finding their true style in the 1950s, hopping from Hollywood to Beverly Hills, then on to the Cocoanut Grove of the famous Ambassador Hotel, Casa del Mar in Santa Monica and Ciro's on the Sunset Strip. War was over, Hollywood was spreading its wings around the world and the Globes quickly began the best party of the year in a city that absolutely loves parties - Los Angeles.

Sophia Loren, recipient of her fourth World Film Favorite special award, with Liza Minnelli, at the 34th Golden Globe Awards at the Beverly Hilton Hotel, on Saturday, January 29, 1977. The popular Italian movie star was voted World Film Favorite four times, in 1964 with Paul Newman, in 1965 with Marcello Mastroianni, in 1969 with Sidney Poitier, in 1977 with Robert Redford.

Marion Robert Morrison might not be a name that resonates with audiences as a star in the galaxy of Hollywood, but, when according to legend, director Raoul Walsh advised the Winterset, Iowa native to change his moniker to benefit his career, the icon that is John Wayne was born. With a career that started in the 1920s and encompassed more than 175 film and television roles through the 1970s, Wayne epitomized the image of the rugged American male, especially in western and war films such as Stagecoach, The Man Who Shot Liberty Valance, The Searchers, The Quiet Man and the role that would land him a Golden Globe and an Academy Award for Best Actor, True Grit.

In 1959 I was introduced by Bertil Unger, president of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association at the time, as a new member along with Yani Begakis in a general membership meeting held at the Knickerbocker Hotel in Hollywood. Hilda Ulloa was vice president Alan Hunter was secretary and Victor Holguin was the treasurer.

Laurence Olivier accepts the special Cecil B. deMille award trophy for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment at the 40th Golden Globes, held at the Beverly Hilton Hotel Saturday, January 29, 1983.

Anthony Quinn receives the Cecil B. deMille award, for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment, on stage at the 44th Golden Globes, held Saturday, January 31, 1987, at the Beverly Hilton hotel.

Robert Mitchum receives the Cecil B. deMille trophy, awarded by the Hollywood Foreign Press Association for Outstanding Contributions to the World of Entertainment, at the 49th Golden Globes held the Beverly Hilton Hotel on Saturday, January 18, 1992.