LONDON, England (CNN) -- At a time of economic uncertainty in the U.S., the writers strike cast a dark cloud over the eternal sunshine of the Californian mindset and its most glittering awards ceremony. Oscar winner Helen Mirren dazzled in Chopard diamonds last year and gained masses of publicity for the jeweler Up until a fortnight ago, the million dollar question was whether the Oscars would go ahead as stars refused to cross the picket line. Make that the 400 million dollar question. According to the pundits and bean-counters, that's how much the strike would have cost Los Angeles and the industry if Hollywood's most glamorous evening had been cancelled.
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Oscar cancellation would have cost the industry an estimated $400m
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Limo drivers, caterers, make-up artists would be among worst hit
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Jewelry designers like Chopard generate $1m in publicity on Oscars night
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Films which achieve success on the night can expect box office cash injection
The famous statuettes of Los Angeles may be somewhat smaller, but their presence is felt far beyond the @placeholder hills ... E-mail to a friend