A MORE DIGNIFIED OSCARS REFLECTED SERIOUS ISSUES

It was a night of glitter and glamour. Monday night's Oscars linked Hollywood with 1 billion people -- giving the stars and those behind the scenes a night to show off their best work.

And 1993 was a good year for the film industry.

The stark epic of heroism amid Holocaust horrors won seven Oscars. But most critics agreed that in any other year, all of the "best picture" nominees had a chance at top honors.

The ceremony and costumes were more dignified than year's past -- perhaps a reflection on the serious nature of many of the top films, including the Holocaust, AIDS discrimination, and Irish-British prosecutorial injustice. As such, the celebration was laced with sadness.

It was a night of few surprises -- although the most successful director in box-office history seemed genuinely touched when he accepted his "best director" Oscar. Ending what he called "the longest drought of my life," Steven Spielberg wiped a few tears as he thanked the "six million who can't be watching this ... telecast tonight." When he returned to the stage moments later for "best picture" honors, he issued a challenge to educators.

Spielberg urged teachers to get in touch with the 350,000 survivors of the Holocaust alive today. "I implore all of the educators who are watching this program -- please do not allow the Holocaust to remain a footnote in history ... Please listen to the words and the echoes and the ghosts."

It's a message all of us can -- and should -- take to heart.

We might wonder who could forget the Holocaust. Unbelievably, it's not so far-fetched. A few people are making the talk show rounds contending that it never happened. And even the Malaysian government recently banned "Schindler's List," saying it was "propaganda with a purpose for asking for sympathy (for Jews) as well as to tarnish the other race."

Tom Hanks also paid tribute to the victims of AIDS in his acceptance of the best actor award. "The streets of heaven are too crowded with angels. We know their names; they number a thousand for every red ribbon worn tonight."

The Oscars provided an occasion to realize that film making often overlaps with reality. Perhaps that's the wonder of Hollywood. Films allow us to bask in the glory and remember the most painful times.

Thanks to Oscar producer Gil Cates, this year's presenters got off their soapboxes. It was a welcome relief. There's typically enough grandstanding in each show. Richard Gere, Susan Sarandon and Tim Robbins all made partisan pleas last year, and were not invited back. This year's presenters took the hint.

One of the attendees suggested that Spielberg and his stark epic have lifted the stakes in terms of movie quality. We hope that's true. That's not to say all films must be meaningful and high-brow -- but it's good to know that Hollywood can embrace excellence.

But awards aside, the real test still comes at the box office. If the filmmakers produce quality and the audiences don't come -- there's little incentive. In that respect, each one of us remain the most important critic of all.