1970 in film



The year 1970 in film involved some significant events.

Highest-grossing films (U.S.)
The top ten 1970 released films by box office gross in North America are as follows:

Events

 * January 9 - Larry Fine, the second member of The Three Stooges, suffers a massive stroke, effectively ending his career.
 * February 11 - The Magic Christian, starring Peter Sellers and Ringo Starr, premieres in New York City. The film's soundtrack album, including Badfinger's "Come and Get It" (written and produced by Paul McCartney), is released on Apple Records.
 * March 12 - Film debut of Ornella Muti in La moglie più bella (The Most Beautiful Wife) 3 days after her 15th birthday.
 * March 17 - The controversial film The Boys in the Band, directed by William Friedkin and based on Mart Crowley's hit off-Broadway play, opens in theaters.
 * October 24 - Joan Crawford's final film, the low-budget horror picture Trog, opens in theaters.
 * The IMAX motion picture projection system premieres at the Fuji Pavilion, at Expo '70 in Osaka, Japan.
 * In Culver City, California, MGM begins selling off its studio back lot property and movie props.

Awards
Academy Awards:


 * Best Picture: Patton - 20th Century Fox
 * Best Director: Darryl F. Zanuck accepting on behalf of Franklin J. Schaffner - Patton
 * Best Actor: Darryl F. Zanuck accepting on behalf of George C. Scott - Patton (declined)
 * Best Actress: Anne Francis accepting on behalf of Glenda Jackson - Women in Love
 * Best Supporting Actor: Juliet Mills accepting on behalf of John Mills - Ryan's Daughter
 * Best Supporting Actress: Angela Lansbury accepting on behalf of Helen Hayes - Airport
 * Best Foreign Language Film: Investigation of a Citizen Above Suspicion (Indagine su un cittadino al di sopra di ogni sospetto), directed by Elio Petri, Italy

Golden Globe Awards:


 * Drama:
 * Best Picture: Love Story
 * Best Actor: George C. Scott – Patton
 * Best Actress: Ali MacGraw – Love Story


 * Musical or comedy:
 * Best Picture: MASH
 * Best Actor: Albert Finney – Scrooge
 * Best Actress: Carrie Snodgress – Diary of a Mad Housewife


 * Other
 * Best Director: Arthur Hiller, Love Story

Cannes Film Festival (Palme d'Or):
 * MASH, directed by Robert Altman, United States

Christmas films released in 1970

 * 1) Santa Claus Is Comin' to Town