The one party not to be missed

11.45am - By RUSSELL BAILLIE

LOS ANGELES - It may not have been the most fashionable party in town. Actually the dress code extended to flowing elven frocks offset by pointy ears, full orc costume and the occasional to-scale hobbit.

But the Oscars party hosted by website theonering.net. part-founded by New Zealander Erica Challis, was the loudest and most joyous in Los Angeles.

If you were a diehard J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson fan, this was the place to be. It felt pretty good to be a New Zealander in this fancy-dress company too, away from the Oscar-credentialled and jaded American media which had already branded the evening a bore because of the Return of the King's clean sweep.

Watching the telecast on giant screens in the Hollywood American Legion hall a block or two from Oscar central, the 800-plus people gathered started out enthusiatic.

Every time someone connected with Return of the King passed by the camera -- usually behind someone more famous being interviewed -- they screamed.

By the time the Oscars started coming towards their favourite film they screamed louder.

By the time it was obvious it was going to be one film to rule them all, the fans were somewhere in a low orbit.

The response to the best director and best picture Oscars was beyond elation.

And there was more to come. As they had in past, less successful years, the Lord of the Rings winners including Peter Jackson and cast members arrived late in the evening, their first stop on the round of celebration parties.

They were greeted with a response which made Beatlemania sound like polite applause.

There was a lot of love of room in this room tonight. It's understandable -- having your favourite book and films become an Oscar phenomenon...well it's never going to happen to Star Wars fans.

They are probably still screaming with joy as you read this. I had to leave early unfortunately. My pointy ears were beginning to hurt.

Herald Feature: The Oscars
Red carpet picture gallery
2004 nominees and winners
Related information and links