Rehearsing for Oscar - preparing the 1958 Academy Awards broadcast, photographs by Leonard McCombe

 

Kirk Douglas, Burt Lancaster, and choreographer Jack Cole. The actors performed a number called "It's Great Not to Be Nominated."

Shirley Jones, Van Johnson, Marge and Gower Champion*, Betty Grable, and Bob Hope.

Shirley Jones, Van Johnson, Mae West, Rock Hudson, Marge and Gower Champion, Janet Leigh, Rhonda Fleming, Bob Hope, and Shirley MacLaine*.

Debbie Reynolds. Reynolds performed her big hit "Tammy" from Tammy and the Bachelor during the ceremony.

James Stewart. Stewart, along with David Niven, Jack Lemmon, and Rosalind Russell shared the hosting duties with Bob Hope.

Clark Gable.

Doris Day and Clark Gable. The two presented the writing awards.

Mae West and Rock Hudson rehearsing “Baby, It’s Cold Outside."

Russ Tamblyn, at center. Lower right, Rock Hudson and Mae West.

Clark Gable and Burt Lancaster.

Paul Newman and Doris Day.

Shirley MacLaine and - just barely - Janet Leigh.

At center, Janet Leigh and Shirley MacLaine.

Shirley MacLaine.

Zsa Zsa Gabor. In credits of the event, she's actually only listed as an audience member.

Clark Gable, Cary Grant, Bob Hope, and David Niven.

*

The 30th Academy Awards ceremony was held on 26 March 1958 at the RKO Pantages Theatre, the venue for the event from 1949 to 1959.

*

* I haven't been able to find an explanation for it, but Shirley MacLaine and the Champions don't appear in any credits list of the actual event.