This year, the Academy Awards chose to honor “old men.” Not only did “No Country for Old Men” win every award for which it was nominated (except for film editing), but 98-year old Art Director Robert F. Boyle won a Lifetime Achievement Award, making him disputably the oldest recipient of an Oscar in the Academy’s history. Assisted onstage to receive his award, the physically frail Boyle had been nominated four times for an Oscar in the past, but never won. His expertise in art direction and production design heightened the cinematic quality of Hitchcock classics like “Saboteur,” “The Birds,” and “North by Northwest” as well as such later successes as “Fiddler on the Roof” and “In Cold Blood.” 

Regis Philbin, in his mid-70s and looking decades younger, hosted the 30-minute red carpet arrivals for ABC with his usual energy and enthusiasm.

Along with daughter Melissa, another eternally youthful mid-70s icon, Joan Rivers, was doing what she does best—offering merciless commentary on who was wearing what and by whom.  

It was disappointing to see Julie Christie choose to politicize her moment on the red carpet by expressing her anger on the politics of Guantanamo Bay. Since she was expected to win in the Best Actress category for her role as an Alzheimer’s victim in “Away From Her” and didn’t, we were possibly spared her taking on the controversial issue during her “thank you” speech. As it turned out, brilliant young French actress, Marion Cotillard, beat her handily for her extraordinary portrayal of 20^th century French chanteuse Edith Piaf. Even without the Oscar, still-gorgeous Christie is a living testament to the fact that Sixty is Sexy Now, even in youth-worshipping Hollywood.

Another ageless English actress, Dame Helen Mirren, appeared on the scene like the star she is—giving credence to the belief that you are as young as you feel.

Sixty-six and still sexy, Harrison Ford escorted long-time partner Calista Flockhart to the big event. In his pre-recorded TV interview with Barbara Walters, he talked about the earring he wears in his left ear—offering more proof the man is still a “stud.” 

Predictably, crowd-pleaser 60-something Jack Nicholson participated in the Awards show. From all appearances, Jack’s interest in pretty women has not mellowed over the years, nor has theirs in Jack. 

On a low note, Jon Stewart, who hosted the three-hour show, managed to take a swipe at the Republican party at th same time he put over a feeble joke about old men.