With "Titanic," bigger has certainly been better.
The $200 million gamble from James Cameron won major industry kudos and vindication Sunday night as it grabbed four Golden Globes, including best drama and best director. The most expensive movie ever made has owned the box office since its release five weeks ago and now is the favorite for the top Academy Awards in March."Directors are supposed to be in control all the time. I can barely control my bladder right now," Cameron said during a three-hour show.
The irreverent ceremony also saw a freshman show, "Ally McBeal," beat out lame-duck powerhouse "Seinfeld" as the best TV comedy, an actor who insisted on giving his statue to a fellow nominee and a winner who, well, just had to go at the wrong time.
For all of that, it was a "Titanic" night.
While its victory doesn't guarantee a lock on the Academy Awards, the same film that has won best drama at the Golden Globes has won the best picture Oscar in 11 of the past 15 years.
While "Titanic" also won best original score and song, the film did lose significant acting trophies to performers in two films that cost a fraction to make.
The Hollywood Foreign Press Association selected Peter Fonda as best dramatic actor for his role as a beekeeper with a troubled past in "Ulee's Gold." After years of little activity in films, Fonda told the audience: "It's good to be back."
The acclaimed British actress Judi Dench was honored as best dramatic actress for "Mrs. Brown," in which she played a widowed Queen Victoria enamored with a robust palace aide.
When Christine Lahti was announced as best actress in a TV drama series for her role in "Chicago Hope," a tablemate came to the stage and reported that Lahti was in the bathroom. Robin Williams leaped to the stage to entertain with some jokes.
Anthony Edwards of "ER" followed Lahti to the stage to accept his best actor in a drama series.
After winning for "Don King: Only in America," a tearful Ving Rhames summoned a reluctant Jack Lemmon, nominated for "12 Angry Men," and then handed him his Golden Globe.
"This is one of the nicest, sweetest moments of my life," Lemmon said as Jack Nicholson gestured "me next" in the audience. The Foreign Press Association reportedly will mint another Golden Globe for Rhames.
Nicholson got his turn when "As Good As It Gets" swept the awards in the musical or comedy category. He won best actor, co-star Helen Hunt best actress and the film from James Brooks best picture.