HOLLYWOOD -- Toronto filmmaker Cronenberg says his old friend, star Christopher Walken (The Dead Zone), is an example of assuming too much about the Oscars, especially when you're young. Walken bought a tuxedo when he was nominated for The Deer Hunter (1978).

"He won -- and then he never wore the tuxedo again," Cronenberg says. "He thought then: 'I'd better buy it because this is easy. I'll do this a lot.' He told me that."

But, of course, Walken never got nominated again -- until this year for best supporting actor for playing Leonardo DiCaprio's loving father in Catch Me If You Can. Now the antique tuxedo is too small to fit Walken's middle-aged body. But Cronenberg is rooting him on. "I think it's wonderful he's nominated again."


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