The legend Oscar Marisa Tomei was by mistake

No one has confirmed, nor disproved, and takes years circulating among film buffs as one of the great conspiracy theories in the history of the statuette

The chronicle of the Oscar ABC  , published on March 31, 1993, read: "The first surprise of the night gave Marisa Tomei , who took the statuette for best supporting actress for ' My Cousin Vinny ' front four strong British actresses. " The ceremony was held at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion in Los Angeles and any betting pointed to the American interpreter of Italian descent as the winner, which certainly helped that one of the legends generated (never disproved, but not confirmed) Most commented on the history of the award: which ensures that the Oscar was for a mistake in reading the award from Jack Palance .

It is true that in La Tercera that day, José Luis Garci commented: "Dear Enrique Herreros, have seen that Marisa Tomei, besides you and me, many people voted." But the fact is that, before the ceremony, except the Spanish director and producer and contributor to ABC, did not look like someone gave a hard actress 29 years, especially if we consider that its competitors were nothing less than Judy Davis , nominated for "Husbands and Wives" Woody Allen, Joan Plowright , who had received the Golden Globe for his performance in "enchanted April"; Vanessa Redgrave , who added his sixth nomination to "Howards End" and Miranda Richardson , who came to "wound" Louis Malle's film.

Marisa Tomei had sneaked almost as an anecdote in the nominations. And not because his performance or -directed film by Jonathan Lynn and starring Joe Pesci - were bad, but because it was unusual that a relatively simple role in a light comedy barriera other dramatic roles played by actresses weight. So doubly strange that our hero out winner. There was no more to see the image of Gene Hackman , who gasped and petrified, as they picked up the cameras.

Jack Palance, the protagonist

The true origin of the legend was not, however, the actress, but in charge of delivering the Oscar, Jack Palance. The man icy stare and eternal villain had won last year's prize for best actor for " City Slickers ."

His former problems with alcohol did not help. The gossips claimed that Palance was drunk and was an act of bravado. Other versions argued that opened the envelope of the nominees and gave the first name. Some blame the alderman of the gala leisurely leave the monitor with the name Tomei, while others believe it was an act of patriotism, being the only American actress nominated in that category. But one of the most bizarre hypothesis is that the actor has had bet with some friends that would give the statuette to whoever wanted and not really chosen. The fact is that even she was expecting. It got so nervous I stumbled up on stage, stepping on her dress from Chanel.

Legend has it that the Academy did not dare to discredit a figure like Jack Palance and wrest Tomei Oscar for fear of ridicule. Criticism of the actor disfigured face for boxing and an air accident at the outbreak of the bomber that flew during World War II , did not wait. Literally he was crushed, even though the official version claimed that if Palance had been wrong, notaries located in the room would quickly come to correct the error.

The actor died on November 10, 2006, at age 87, taking the secret to the grave that Hollywood has never fully clarified. Legend pursued Marisa Tomei, who has again won the Oscar.