The Last Picture Show mother, Lois, admits to Sonny that she was Sam the Lion's paramour and tells him that he was much better off with Ruth Popper than with Jacy. The marriage of Sonny and Jacy is annulled. Duane returns to town on leave from the Army before shipping out for Korea. He and Sonny are among the meager group attending the final screening at the movie house, which is closing that day (the "last picture show" is "Red River", a western set in Texas starring John Wayne). The next morning, Sonny sees Duane off on the bus. Billy is sweeping the street
The Greatest Show on Earth (film) for MSNBC about the 78th Academy Awards selection of "Crash" as Best Picture, Erik Lundegaard called "Crash" the "worst Best Picture winner since the 'dull, bloated' film "The Greatest Show on Earth"" In 2013, the fact that "The Greatest Show on Earth" won over "High Noon" was listed by "Time" among the 10 Most Controversial Best Picture Races. At the 25th Academy Awards, the movie won Oscars for Best Picture and Best Story. It received nominations for Best Director, Best Film Editing, and Best Costume Design, Color. It was the last Best Picture winner to win fewer than three Academy