Sept. 11 terrorist attacks remembered during Oscar ceremony

<br>LOS ANGELES (AP) _ References to Sept. 11 were woven throughout the Academy Awards, as winners and presenters paused to remember the terrorist attacks. <br><br>Tom Cruise mused soberly in the night's

Monday, March 25th 2002, 12:00 am

By: News On 6

LOS ANGELES (AP) _ References to Sept. 11 were woven throughout the Academy Awards, as winners and presenters paused to remember the terrorist attacks.

Tom Cruise mused soberly in the night's opening remarks about the role of Hollywood movies in the wake of the attacks.

``And what of a night like tonight? Should we celebrate the joy and magic that movies bring? Well, dare I say it? More than ever,'' Cruise said.

Host Whoopi Goldberg was more lighthearted in closing the ceremony with the words: ``From everyone here in Hollywood to everybody there in New York, baby, we've got your back.''

She then turned to display the back of her gown, which displayed the initials of the New York police and fire departments, Port Authority police and K-9 units.

During the ceremony, Goldberg quipped: ``America suffered through a great national tragedy, but we have recovered. Mariah Carey has already made another movie.''

Other references to the attacks were laced through the generally upbeat ceremony.

``If the events of this past year have taught us anything, they have shown us that we must celebrate and honor life even in the face of death,'' Kevin Spacey said after asking the crowd to observe a moment of silence.

``Perhaps that's the true wonder of the medium that we gather here tonight to honor. Film freezes life in its finest hour with strength and courage and laughter and joy.''

Woody Allen made a rare appearance to introduce a montage of film clips shot in New York.

The tribute, by filmmaker Nora Ephron, included clips from Allen's ``Manhattan,'' ``Taxi Driver,'' ``Working Girl,'' ``Tootsie,'' ``The French Connection,'' ``On the Waterfront'' and other films.

Allen urged filmmakers to continue working in New York.

``It's a great place to come and work and make your movies because it's still a thrilling and very, very exciting city,'' he said.

And in accepting a lifetime achievement award, Robert Redford spoke about how the terrorist attacks have underscored the value of freedom.

``To be able to be a part of a freedom of expression that allows us as artists to tell our stories in our own way, about the human condition, the complexities of life, the world around us is a gift and not one to be taken lightly,'' Redford said.