Academy Award for Best Sound

The Academy Award for Best Sound is an Academy Award that recognizes the finest sound mixing, recording, sound design, and sound editing. The award used to go to the studio sound departments until a rule change in 1969 said it should be awarded to the specific technicians, the first of which were Murray Spivack and Jack Solomon for Hello, Dolly!. It is generally awarded to the production sound mixers, re-recording mixers, and supervising sound editors of the winning film. In the lists below, the winner of the award for each year is shown first, followed by the other nominees. For the respective periods from 1963 to 1967 and 1982 to 2019, competitive awards for sound were presented in two separate categories: Best Sound Mixing (just called Best Sound in some years) and Best Sound Effects Editing (just called Best Sound Effects, or Best Sound Editing in some years).

For the second and third years of this category (i.e., the 4th Academy Awards and the 5th Academy Awards) only the names of the film companies were listed. Paramount Publix Studio Sound Department won in both years.

Winners and nominees

1930s Year Film Nominees1929–1930(3rd)The Big HouseMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerThe Case of Sergeant GrischaRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John TribbyThe Love ParadeParamount Famous Lasky Studio Sound Department, Franklin B. HansenRafflesUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Oscar LagerstromSong of the FlameFirst National Studio Sound Department, George Groves1930–1931(4th)Paramount Publix Studio Sound DepartmentMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound DepartmentRKO Radio Studio Sound DepartmentSamuel Goldwyn-United Artists Studio Sound Department1931–1932(5th)Paramount Publix Studio Sound DepartmentMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound DepartmentRKO Radio Studio Sound DepartmentWarner Bros.-First National Studio Sound Department1932–1933(6th)A Farewell to ArmsParamount Studio Sound Department, Franklin B. Hansen42nd StreetWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonGold Diggers of 1933Warner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonI Am a Fugitive from a Chain GangWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan Levinson1934(7th)One Night of LoveColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryThe Affairs of CelliniUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonCleopatraParamount Studio Sound Department, Franklin B. HansenFlirtation WalkWarner Bros.-First National Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonThe Gay DivorceeRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Carl DreherImitation of LifeUniversal Studio Sound Department, Theodore SoderbergViva Villa!Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerThe White Parade20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. Hansen1935(8th)Naughty MariettaMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas Shearer$1,000 a MinuteRepublic Studio Sound DepartmentBride of FrankensteinUniversal Studio Sound Department, Gilbert KurlandCaptain BloodWarner Bros.-First National Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonThe Dark AngelUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonI Dream Too MuchRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Carl DreherThe Lives of a Bengal LancerParamount Studio Sound Department, Franklin B. HansenLove Me ForeverColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryThanks a Million20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. Hansen1936(9th)San FranciscoMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerBanjo on My Knee20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenThe Charge of the Light BrigadeWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonDodsworthUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonGeneral SpankyHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. RaguseMr. Deeds Goes to TownColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryThe Texas RangersParamount Studio Sound Department, Franklin B. HansenThat Girl from ParisRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergThree Smart GirlsUniversal Studio Sound Department, Homer G. Tasker1937(10th)The HurricaneUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonThe Girl Said NoGrand National Studio Sound Department, A. E. KayeHitting a New HighRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergIn Old Chicago20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenThe Life of Emile ZolaWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonLost HorizonColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryMaytimeMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerOne Hundred Men and a GirlUniversal Studio Sound Department, Homer G. TaskerTopperHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. RaguseWells FargoParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. Ryder1938(11th)The Cowboy and the LadyUnited Artists Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonArmy GirlRepublic Studio Sound Department, Charles L. LootensFour DaughtersWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonIf I Were KingParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderMerrily We LiveHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. RaguseSuez20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenSweetheartsMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerThat Certain AgeUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownVivacious LadyRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergYou Can't Take It with YouColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. Livadary1939(12th)When Tomorrow ComesUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownBalalaikaMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerGone with the WindSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonGoodbye, Mr. ChipsDenham Studio Sound Department, A. W. WatkinsThe Great Victor HerbertParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderThe Hunchback of Notre DameRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergMan of ConquestRepublic Studio Sound Department, Charles L. LootensMr. Smith Goes to WashingtonColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryOf Mice and MenHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. RaguseThe Private Lives of Elizabeth and EssexWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonThe Rains Came20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. Hansen

1940s Year Film Nominees1940(13th)Strike Up the BandMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerBehind the NewsRepublic Studio Sound Department, Charles L. LootensCaptain CautionHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. RaguseThe Grapes of Wrath20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenThe Howards of VirginiaGeneral Service Sound Department, Jack WhitneyKitty FoyleRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergNorth West Mounted PoliceParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderOur TownSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonThe Sea HawkWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonSpring ParadeUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownToo Many HusbandsColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. Livadary1941(14th)That Hamilton WomanGeneral Service Sound Department, Jack WhitneyAppointment for LoveUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownBall of FireSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonThe Chocolate SoldierMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerCitizen KaneRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. AalbergThe Devil Pays OffRepublic Studio Sound Department, Charles L. LootensHow Green Was My Valley20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenThe Men in Her LifeColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadarySergeant YorkWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonSkylarkParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderTopper ReturnsHal Roach Studio Sound Department, Elmer A. Raguse1942(15th)Yankee Doodle DandyWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonArabian NightsUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownBambiWalt Disney Studio Sound Department, Sam SlyfieldFlying TigersRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. BloombergFriendly EnemiesSound Service, Inc., Jack WhitneyThe Gold RushRCA Sound, James L. FieldsMrs. MiniverMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerOnce Upon a HoneymoonRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Steve DunnThe Pride of the YankeesSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonRoad to MoroccoParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderThis Above All20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenYou Were Never LovelierColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. Livadary1943(16th)This Land Is MineRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Steve DunnHangmen Also Die!Sound Service, Inc., Jack WhitneyIn Old OklahomaRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. BloombergMadame CurieMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerThe North StarSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonPhantom of the OperaUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownRiding HighParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderSaharaColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadarySaludos AmigosWalt Disney Studio Sound Department, Sam SlyfieldSo This Is WashingtonRCA Sound, James L. FieldsThe Song of Bernadette20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenThis Is the ArmyWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan Levinson1944(17th)Wilson20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Edmund H. HansenBrazilRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. BloombergCasanova BrownSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonCover GirlColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryDouble IndemnityParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderHis Butler's SisterUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownHollywood CanteenWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonIt Happened TomorrowSound Service, Inc., Jack WhitneyKismetMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerMusic in ManhattanRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Steve DunnVoice in the WindRCA Sound, Mac Dalgleish1945(18th)The Bells of St. Mary'sRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, Steve DunnFlame of Barbary CoastRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. BloombergLady on a TrainUniversal Studio Sound Department, Bernard B. BrownLeave Her to Heaven20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonRhapsody in BlueWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Nathan LevinsonA Song to RememberColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryThe SouthernerGeneral Service Studios, Jack WhitneyThey Were ExpendableMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerThe Three CaballerosWalt Disney Studio Sound Department, Sam SlyfieldThree Is a FamilyRCA Sound, W. V. WolfeThe UnseenParamount Studio Sound Department, Loren L. RyderWonder ManSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Gordon E. Sawyer1946(19th)The Jolson StoryColumbia Studio Sound Department, John P. LivadaryThe Best Years of Our LivesSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Gordon E. SawyerIt's a Wonderful LifeRKO Radio Studio Sound Department, John O. Aalberg1947(20th)The Bishop's WifeSamuel Goldwyn Studio Sound Department, Gordon E. SawyerGreen Dolphin StreetMetro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio Sound Department, Douglas ShearerT-MenSound Service, Inc., Jack Whitney1948(21st)The Snake Pit20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonJohnny BelindaWarner Bros. Studio Sound Department, Col. Nathan LevinsonMoonriseRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. Bloomberg1949(22nd)Twelve O'Clock High20th Century-Fox Studio Sound Department, Thomas T. MoultonOnce More, My DarlingUniversal-International Studio Sound Department, Leslie I. CareySands of Iwo JimaRepublic Studio Sound Department, Daniel J. Bloomberg

1950s