THE GREAT INSULT

Six decades ago, Metro-Gold wyn-Mayer mogul Louis B. Mayer was snubbed by studio carpenters, who refused to build him a beach house. Out of that slight, the Oscars were born. Mayer decided to bust the unions’ growing power in the fledgling film business and decided to create an organization that was more powerful--one that would mediate labor disputes and improve the image of the film community. Thus was born the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Mayer personally selected the core members of the group--which included twice as many producers as members from any other branch. Today, the academy has 4,355 members.