It’s not an exaggeration to say that Martin Scorsese is more than just a filmmaker, he is a true master of craft, shaping the world of cinema with his bold vision and deep storytelling. Over decades, he has delivered unforgettable films like Taxi Driver, Goodfellas, and The Wolf of Wall Street.
Born in New York City in 1942, his passion for film blossomed early on, fueled by his love for classic cinema. His unique style blends raw intensity with rich character studies, earning him countless accolades, including an Oscar for The Departed.
He was also honored with PGA Awards twice: one in 1965 and the other in 2024. In the second ceremony, he fondly reflected on one of the most memorable moments from the ceremony 60 years earlier.
Martin Scorsese’s PGA Awards Honors: 1965 and 2024
On March 8 1965, Martin Scorsese was awarded the Jesse L. Laskey Intercollegiate Award. At the time, Scorsese was just 22 years old and was already making waves in the film world. This prestigious honor was given to him during the Milestone Awards dinner hosted by the Screen Producers Guild, now known as the Producers Guild of America. The dinner celebrated emerging talent in filmmaking, and Scorsese’s win marked an early highlight in his legendary career, even before he became the iconic director we know today.
The movie that helped him earn this award is “It’s Not Just You, Murray!” (1964). This short film tells the story of a middle-aged mobster, Murray, who reflects on his past and how he achieved success. It became one of Scorsese’s early notable works during his time as a student at NYU and helped establish his reputation as a talented filmmaker.
Six decades after first being recognized by the PGA, Martin Scorsese found himself back on that stage for a full-circle moment. At the 2024 PGA Awards, Scorsese reminisced about his early years, when at 22, he was flown to Los Angeles in 1965 to receive an award for his student film It’s Not Just You, Murray! Sharing the spotlight with legends like Alfred Hitchcock, the experience was pivotal. Now, with a lifetime of iconic films under his belt, Scorsese reflected on his journey as he accepted another honor.
His iconic kiss with Elke Sommer
Legendary filmmaker Martin Scorsese took the stage after being introduced by Guillermo del Toro, who called him an “indispensable titan.” When Scorsese, 81, walked on the stage, he started to tell the story of the 1965 awards show and how he kissed German actress Elke Sommer.
When reminisce that day, Scorsese mentioned to the well-known names: Alfred Hitchcock, James Stewart, Jack Benny, Samuel Goldwyn, Jack Warner and Norman Lear, Lew Wasserman, Julie Stein, Cary Grant, Eva Marie Saint, Janel Leigh, Dick Van Dyke, Elke Sommer and David O.
But the most memorable moment was when he kissed Elke Sommer. He said, “I’m up here with all these people. Cary Grant was so gracious to me. Many of the others were gracious too. Elke Sommer gave me the award, I had get up here and I didn’t know what to do. I was taken aback…and I look over my right shoulder and Cary Grant is there and goes ‘kiss her!’ So I did!”
And even at the end of his speech, the legendary filmmaker said, “I feel like it’s really come full-circle. I was 22 when Cary Grant told me to kiss Elke Sommer. Now I’m 81…and I’m glad I kissed her!”
His inspiration for making films
During his speech, Martin Scorsese revealed how the film Duel of the Sun, which he first saw at just 4 years old, influenced certain elements of his latest project, Killers of the Flower Moon. He recalled how this early cinematic experience shaped his appreciation for classic Hollywood, describing vivid scenes of color, movement, and striking visuals that have stayed with him throughout his career.
Scorsese said, “It’s the first film I can remember seeing by title. So the very first impact of classic Hollywood cinema starts right there for me. Slashes of color, movement, the landscapes, stunning set pieces like the dance in the cantina, the approaching horsemen lining up against the railroad, the mysticism of the film mixed with the profane.”
