The Academy Awards has different scandals every year. The same was the case for the 71st Academy Awards held on March 21, 1999.
Elia Kazan, regarded as one of the most influential directors in Hollywood, was given Academy Honorary Awards. However, many celebrities and people were not satisfied with Kazan getting this lifetime award.
The director had testified in 1952 before the House Committee on Un-American Activities (HCUA). When he was in his mid-20s, he was a member of the American Communist Party from 1934 to 1936.
He initially denied giving the names of Communists when he was asked to testify by HCUA. But later, he provided the names of eight former Group Theatre members and identified them as communists.
The eight members were blacklists, and Kazan never apologized to them for ratting them out. Therefore, many did not appreciate it when he received the Academy Award.
Harris and his wife were one of them, and they showed their disdain by not acknowledging Kazan. They did not stand up and applaud the director.
Instead, they kept a poker face and refused to acknowledge the situation. Many appreciated Harris and his spouse's stance and lauded them for it.
