Country United Kingdom | First awarded 1946 | |
Awarded for Highest award for most outstanding British film and actor and actress in films. Presented by Lord and Lady Rothermere | ||
The National Film Awards (AKA Daily Mail National Film Awards, Daily Mail Film Awards, British Film Oscars, Britain's Oscars, Silver Star) were the first ever national film awards held in Britain. They were sponsored by the Daily Mail newspaper with readers voting at cinemas across the country, for best Actor, Actress and Film. The inaugural event was held at the Dorchester Hotel, London in 1946.
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The first awards were awarded to James Mason and Margaret Lockwood for most outstanding British actor and actress during the war years.
The award is seen as the predecessor to the British Film Academy Awards (later BAFTA) which, although it began in 1947, did not give best actor/actress awards until 1952.
Awards categories (as voted by the public)
Awards
The awards ran from 1946 to 1951. It was always held at the Dorchester Hotel in London and was hosted by Lord and Lady Rothermere. It was held in conjunction with the Daily Mail National Film Festival held in Leicester Square, London.
The Trophy / Award
The trophy was a silver nymph holding aloft a silver star in its right hand. The circular base was inscribed with the winners details. The trophy stands approximately 60 cm high.
1946
Most popular and outstanding British actor during the war years - James Mason.
Most Outstanding British actress during the war years - Margaret Lockwood.
Best Film - Way to the Stars. Collected by Anatole de Grunwald (Producer) and Anthony Asquith (Director)
This inaugural event was the first national film award held in the UK.
1947
Best Film Actor of the year - James Mason. (Mr J Arthur Rank Collected the award on his behalf as he was in New York at the time)
Best Film Actress of the year - Margaret Lockwood.
Best Film - Piccadilly Incident. Collected by Herbert Wilcox (Producer & Director)
Over 2.2 million members of the public voted during the contest.
1948
Best Film Actor of the year - John Mills for his role in Great Expectations
Best Film Actress of the year - Margaret Lockwood for her role in Jassy.
Best Film - The Courtneys of Curzon Street. Collected by Herbert Wilcox (Producer & Director)
1949
Best Film Actor of the year - Michael Wilding.
Best Film Actress of the year - Anna Neagle.
Best Film - Spring in Park Lane. Collected by Herbert Wilcox (Producer & Director)
1950
Most popular and outstanding British actor during the war years - Richard Todd.
Most Outstanding British actress during the war years - Jean Simmons.
Best Film - The Hasty Heart.
1951
Most popular and outstanding British actor during the war years - John Mills.
Most Outstanding British actress during the war years - Anna Neagle.
Best Film - Odette. Collected by Herbert Wilcox (Producer & Director)