The Oscars . . . By the Numbers

Now, a look at the Oscars . . . by the numbers.

Tonight's ceremony is the 82nd Academy Award presentation.

274 films are eligible for Best Picture this year . . . down slightly from 280 the year before.

For the first time in nearly seven decades, the number of films nominated for Best Picture is ten . . . that's DOUBLE the usual five.

5,777 voting members will determine the fate of the nominees in 24 competitive categories - not counting the scientific and technical ones.

And, we're told, the number of statuettes created for tonight's ceremony is exactly 50.

Each statuette, incidentally, is thirteen-and-a-half inches tall on a five-and-a-quarter inch wide base, and weighs in at eight-and-a-half pounds.

All told, over the years the Academy has awarded 2,738 Oscars, including honorary awards.

The Oscars will be seen in more than 200 countries . . . by several HUNDRED million viewers.

They'll watch stars arrive on the famed red carpet at the Kodak Theater, which measures 500 feet long and 33 feet wide.

And if tonight is anything like last year, the nominees will have to run a gauntlet of at least 117 print reporters, 89 still photographers, and 289 TV crew members.

Whoever survives THAT probably DESERVES to win an Oscar.