8 Nevada movies that have won Oscars

For all the movies that are filmed in Nevada, a surprising few of them have won the Academy Award for Best Picture. The Oscars aren’t devoid of Nevada love, though. Here’s a look at eight movies filmed at least partially in Nevada that have taken home Academy Awards.

The Godfather (1972, R)

Based on Mario Puzo’s 1969 novel by the same name, “The Godfather” is widely recognized as one of the best, most influential films in history. The film, which shows the transformation of a family outsider into a ruthless New York Mafia boss, won three Oscars in 1972: Best Picture, Best Actor (Marlon Brando as Vito Corleone) and Best Adapted Screenplay for the work done by Puzo and director Francis Ford Coppola. Las Vegas’ Mafia ties are apparent as various family business transactions and activities take place in the city.

The Godfather, Part II (1974, R)

“The Godfather, Part II” is both a sequel and a prequel to “The Godfather,” following the story of Vito Corleone as he rose to power in the New York Mafia, as well as the story of his son, Michael Corleone, after he becomes the new Don of the Corleone crime family.

The film became the first sequel to win Best Picture at the Oscars, and won five other Oscars in 1974: Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Robert DeNiro as Vito Corleone), Best Director (Coppola), Best Writing, Screenplay Adapted From Other Material (Coppola and Puzo), Best Art Direction-Set Decoration and Best Music, Original Dramatic Score.

Rain Man (1988, R)

The story of a selfish yuppie left a pittance by his father and the autistic brother he never knew about who inherited everything, “Rain Man” received overwhelmingly positive reviews when it was released in 1988.

In one scene, the two are shown in Las Vegas after Charlie, the yuppie, learns that Raymond has a great memory and wants to take advantage of it to win at blackjack by counting cards.

The film won Best Picture, along with three other Oscars: Best Original Screenplay, Best Director (Barry Levinson) and Best Actor in a Leading Role (Dustin Hoffman).

Harry and Tonto (1974, R)

An elderly widower is forced from his Upper West Side apartment in New York City and travels the country with his pet cat in 1974’s “Harry and Tonto.”

Harry passes through Las Vegas on his way to Los Angeles, meeting a friendly prostitute and spending a night in jail.

Art Carney, who played Harry, won Best Actor for the role.

Melvin and Howard (1980, R)

Based on the true story of a down-on-his-luck man who claimed to have been given $156 million in Howard Hughes’ will, the 1980 film explores the alleged relationship between Hughes and Melvin Dummar.

Dummar claimed to have saved Hughes after the billionaire lost control of his motorcycle in the Nevada desert. He was eventually found by a Las Vegas jury to have forged the will.

Mary Steenburgen won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Lynda, Dummar’s first wife.

Prizzi’s Honor (1985, R)

The film, adapted from Richard Condon’s 1982 novel of the same name, tells the story of Charley and Irene, a hitman and hitwoman who fall in love. Things get complicated when Charley carries out a contract to kill Irene’s husband for robbing a Nevada casino.

Anjelica Huston won Best Supporting Actress for her role as Maerose Prizzi, who is in love with Charley.

Misery (1990, R)

Based on the 1987 Stephen King novel of the same name, “Misery” is the story of a famous novelist who is rescued from a car crash by an obsessed fan.

The movie is set in Colorado, but parts of it were filmed in Reno and Genoa.

Kathy Bates won the 1990 Best Actress award for her role as the psychopathic Annie Wilkes, who holds novelist Paul Sheldon hostage and forces him to write a novel to her liking.

Leaving Las Vegas (1995, R)

Based on John O’Brien’s semi-autobiographical novel of the same name, “Leaving Las Vegas” is the story of Ben Sanderson, a suicidal alcoholic who goes to Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he befriends a prostitute named Sera, and the two develop a friendship based on promises not to interfere with one another’s lives.

O’Brien committed suicide two weeks into production of the film, but work continued as a tribute to the author. Nicolas Cage won Best Actor for his performance as Sanderson.

Contact Stephanie Grimes at sgrimes@reviewjournal.com. Find her on Twitter: @stephgrimes