This book challenges the Academy's choices for major Oscar awards from 1927 to 1943. Robert James, with a PhD in the subject, provides a critical and often humorous examination of hundreds of films from Hollywood's Golden Age. He analyzes the winners, praises the deserving, and identifies films that audiences may have missed or should avoid, covering the transition from silent films to the studio system.

The book offers a retrospective critique of early Academy Award decisions, aiming to guide readers toward overlooked cinematic gems and away from perceived missteps. The author's approach is described as comic and biting, suggesting a style that is both entertaining and opinionated. This volume focuses specifically on the foundational years of the Oscars and the Golden Age of Hollywood, providing a specific historical lens for film enthusiasts.