The 46th Annual Academy Awards

As David Niven was preparing to welcome Elizabeth to the Oscar stage at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion to present Best Picture at the 46th Academy Awards on April 2, 1974, a man infamously streaked across the stage naked, flashing the peace sign, among other things. The famously quick-witted David Niven didn’t miss a beat, saying: “Isn’t it fascinating to think that probably the only laugh that man will ever get in his life is by stripping off and showing his shortcomings.” Elizabeth, no slouch when it came to a witty remark herself, joked: “That’s a pretty hard act to follow.” After flubbing a few words while reading out the nominees, Elizabeth paused. “I’m nervous, that really upset me,” she said with a laugh, before adding, to the roaring approval of the audience: “I think I’m jealous!”

The Best Picture Oscar went to The Sting.