In the last official briefing before the big show, Oscar producer Gil Cates, director Lou Horvitz and Academy president Sid Ganis promised no political uproar – and no rain – at the Academy Awards tomorrow.

The producer of this year’s Oscars telecast has ordered winners to keep their acceptance speeches short and warned that if they don’t they will be drowned out by the orchestra.

Comic actor Steve Martin is to host the 75th Academy Awards next year.

This year's Oscar winners will have only 45 seconds to say thank you.