The radio broadcast of the ceremony went out on KECA-790 in Los Angeles and throughout the USA on the ABC network. The Academy Awards were not actually televised until the following year, although filmed footage of the 24th Annual ceremony does exist and is available to view online.
The Best Supporting Actress Award was presented by the previous years Best Supporting Actor Winner, George Sanders. This was accepted by Bette Davis on behalf of Kim Hunter, who was not present at the ceremony.
Vivien Leigh was unable to attend the ceremony to receive the Best Actress Award for A Streetcar Named Desire (1951), due to her appearing onstage in New York, as Cleopatra, in dual plays by Shaw and Shakespeare. She heard her name announced as the winner, via the radio, in her dressing room at the Ziegfield Theater. The Award was accepted on her behalf by Greer Garson at the award ceremony. Greer made a short speech: "It's an honor and a thrill to accept this for you, Vivien. I hope you're listening in New York We're all very excited about it. God bless you and congratulations. I know she'd want to thank you if she were here herself." Vivien received her Best Actress Oscar later that year, in London, on June 17th. Johnny Green did the honor of presenting the statuette to Vivien.
Nominee for Supporting Actor Kevin McCarthy attended the awards gala with his best friend Montgomery Clift.