What does the Oscar statuette signify

A.� The statuette was designed by MGM chief art director Cedric Gibbons and it depicts a knight holding a crusader's sword standing on a reel of film with five spokes, signifying the original branches of the Academy: Actors, Writers, Directors, Producers and Technicians.

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Q.� How many of these statuettes have been made so far

A.� The number of Oscars presented to date totals 2,365. The number of eligible categories in 1927 was 13; today that figure stands at 23. Twelve people are involved in the production of a statuette and it takes over 13 hours to make the 13 and a half-inch high model.

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Q.� When did it all start

A.� On 16 May, 1929, talking movies had just begun. The first awards ceremony took place during a banquet in the Blossom Room of the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Just over 250 people attended, at a cost of $10 each..

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Q.� Did it have today's sense of drama

A.� At first, winners knew the results prior to the awards banquet. But in 1940 guests arriving for the performance got to know by the 8.45pm edition of the LA Times and, as a result, sealed envelopes were adopted and have been in use ever since.

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Q.� So they've always been banquet-type affairs

A.� For 15 years the Academy Awards presentations were banquet performances, first held in the Blossom Room at the Ambassador and Biltimore Hotels. The custom of presenting the stautettes at a banquet was discontinued in 1942 and the presentation ceremonies moved to theatres.

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Q.� Which individual has more Oscar nominations than any other person in history

A.� Walt Disney holds that record with 64 nominations. John Williams has 38 Academy Award nominations, which makes him the most nominated living person.

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Q.� Which actor or actress has the most nominations

A.� Katharine Hepburn and Meryl Streep are tied for having the most number of Academy Award nominations. They both have 12.

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Q.� What about Alfred Hitchcok How many nominations did he get and for what

A.� He was nominated in the Director category five times: Rebecca (1940); Lifeboat (1944); Spellbound (1945); Rear Window (1954); Psycho (1960).

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Q.� Which event precedes Oscars night

A.� The Foreign Language Film Awards Symposium.

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Q.� And when does this year's Academy Awards night take place

A.� The big night takes place on March 25, as usual in Hollywood.

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By Katharine MacColl