The Harris Poll
\ 7 For release: Sunday AM, March 29, 1992 1992 #w ISSN 0895-7983
SILENCE OF THE LAMBS CLEAR OSCAR FAVORITE
by Humphrey Taylor "Silence of the Lambs" is clearly the favorite among this year's crop of Oscar nominations, according to this special Harris Poll conducted just prior to the awards ceremonies on March 30th. This movie was picked as best picture, and Anthony Hopkins and Jodie Foster were selected as best actor and best actress for their roles as the leads in Silence of the Lambs. The public was asked who should win the Oscar only from these three categories, and its choices are definitely reflective of the popularity of the movies nominated. "Silence of the Lambs was picked by 28 percent of the public, closely followed by "Beauty and the Beast" at 24 percent. These were the only two movies which were nominated for best picture that were also among the top fifteen box office draws in 1991. Rounding off the rest of the list of the public's preferred choices for best picture are l1JE'Ku1at 18 percent, "Prince of Tides1' picked by 9 percent, and "Bugsyl' chosen by 4 percent. Among the five actors nominated for best actor Anthony Hopkins wins 28 percent of the public's support. Nick Nolte for "Prince of Tides" comes in second with 17 percent and Robin Williams for "The Fisher King" receives 15 percent. Robert De Niro for his role in "Cape Fear1' and llBugsyll'sWarren Beatty earn 12 percent and 10 percent respectively. The selections for best actress were more one-sided than for any of the other categories that were asked about. Nearly half of the respondents, 45 percent, thought that Jodie Foster should win the Oscar. Her nearest competitor is Bette Midler with 19 percent for her role in "For The Boys.11 It is interesting to note that Geena Davis at 7 percent and Susan Sarandon at 6 percent each get similar results for their work in "Thelma and Louise.I1 Laura Dern gets 4 percent for "Rambling Rose." The survey, which was conducted by telephone among a cross section of 1,255 adults nationwide between March 18th and 24th, shows that "Silence of the Lambs" appeals particularly to people between 18 and 29, men, the better educated and the more affluent while "Beauty and the Beast" is popular among the young as well, but also with women, households with lower income and those people with less education. Anthony Hopkins and Robin Williams receive their support mainly from the 18-to-24-year-old group, whereas Nick Nolte appeals to people over 50. Not surprising is the fact Jodie Foster is popular among all demographic groups. She is particularly strong with people aged 18 to 39. Of course, this is one of the main movie viewing audiences. The Oscars are not generally considered a popularity contest, but if they were, it is clear from this survey that "Silence of the Lambs" would win hands down.
( over ) THE HARRIS POLL March 29, 1992
TABLES J' Between March 18th and 24th, the Harris Poll asked a nationwide cross section of 1,255 adults, by telephone: BEST PICTURE "The five movies which have been nominated for Oscars this year are (READ LIST). Which one do you think should win the Oscar for best movie?"
Silence of the Lambs Beauty and the Beast JEX Prince of Tides BugsY Not sure BEST ACTOR "The five actors nominated for best actor are (READ LIST). Who do you think should win?"
Anthony Hopkins for Silence of the Lambs Nick Nolte for Prince of Tides Robin Williams for Fisher King Robert De Niro for Cape Pear Warren Beatty for Bugsy ~otsure BEST ACTRESS d "The five actresses naainated for best actress are (READ LIST). Who do you think should win?"
Jodie Foster for Silence of the Lambs Bette Midler for For the Boys Geena Davis for Thelma and Louise Susan Sarandon for Thelma and Louise Laura Dern for Rambling Rose Not sure METHODOLOGY This Harris Poll was conducted by telephone within the United States between March 18th and 24th, among a nationwide cross section of 1,255 adults. Figures for age, sex, race and education were weighted where necessary to bring them into line with their actual proportions in the population. In a sample of this size, one can say with 95 percent certainty that the results have a statistical precision of plus or minus 3 percentage points of what they would be if the entire adult population had been polled. This statement conforms to the principles of disclosure of the National Council on Public Polls. Contact Louis Harris and Associates, Inc., Information Services, 630 Fifth Avenue, New York, N.Y. 10111, (212) 698-9600, for complete demographic details for the questions in this release.
COPYRIGICI: 1992 CREATORS SYNDICATE, INC.