Just in time for awards season and Hollywood's biggest celebration, a unique look at some of Tinseltown's stellar filmmaking during the industry's early years in Academy Collection: The Envelope Please, Volume 1, unveiling on DVD Feb. 23 from Infinity Entertainment Group.

Just the words, "The envelope please," instantly evoke visions of Hollywood's most-glamorous event, biggest stars and most-prestigious honor ... the ACADEMY AWARDS ®.   Academy Collection: The Envelope Please, Volume 1 is a rare look at "Best Picture" contenders during the infancy of the movie industry, award-nominated/winning movies from the first decade of this legendary gala (1929-39).

Affectionately known as the OSCARS ® - some say so dubbed by Bette Davis, who thought the gold-plated statuette resembled her first husband, band leader Harmon Oscar Nelson - the inaugural event was held May 16, 1929 by the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences (a trade organization conceived by MGM studio boss Louis B. Mayer in 1927).

Hosted by actor Douglas Fairbanks and director William C. deMille at Hollywood's Hotel Roosevelt, the event honored film achievements of 1927-28 and was attended by 270 people. After the Los Angeles Times disclosed the winners prior to a ceremony, the Academy began utilizing a sealed envelope in 1941 to reveal the victors. Broadcast live on radio beginning in 1932, it moved to TV in 1953.

This four-disc collection includes eight full-length films, all "Best Picture" nominees: The Racket (1928), Alibi (1929), The Front Page (1931), A Farewell to Arms (1932), The Private Life of Henry VIII (1933), A Star is Born (1937), Pygmalion (1938) and Love Affair (1939). Bonus Material includes original trailers from other "Best Picture"-nominated/winning films of the decade.

Academy Collection: The Envelope Please, Volume 1 is presented in full screen with an aspect ratio of 4 x 3 and original sound.  

Academy Collection: The Envelope Please, Volume 1 (4 Discs)

Infinity Entertainment Group

Genre: Classic Film (B&W/Color)

Not Rated

Format:   DVD Only

Running Time:   13+ Hours

Suggested Retail Price:  $24.98

Pre-Order Date:   January 19, 2010

Street Date:   February 23, 2010