The academy bestowed its honorary awards during a two-hour-plus ceremony to 85-year-old actress Lauren Bacall, who made her film debut opposite Humphrey Bogart in 1944's 'To Have and Have Not'; noted cinematographer Gordon Willis, 78, who brought new meaning to shadow and light in such classics as 'The Godfather' trilogy; and maverick 83-year-old producer-director-writer Roger Corman, who excelled in making stylish films on a shoestring budget while giving up-and-coming directors such as Francis Ford Coppola and Jonathan Demme their start. Several of Hollywood's current reigning filmmakers spoke in tribute to Corman. 'He changed my life,' actor-director Ron Howard said in a toast. 'Dying for him was a badge of honor.' Honoring him, Quentin Tarantino added, 'is a dream come true. Only Roger would make `The Raven' a comedy. Roger was the original maverick,' he said while showing clips of Corman's films based on Edgar Allen Poe works. 'People, what took you so long?' Demme asked of finally bestowing an Oscar upon the 'Little Shop of Horrors' director. But Corman showed no frustration at the wait. 'Needless to say, I'm delighted to accept this Oscar,' he said, noting that those in Hollywood work in 'the only true modern art form.' Of Willis, cinematographer Caleb Deschanel said he was a true New Yorker: 'He loved to complain about Hollywood.' The honor, he went on, was 'well deserved.' Woody Allen added to the praise in a taped segment, saying, 'He is the best cinematographer we have ever seen.' As Jeff Bridges presented him the award, Willis noted how moviemaking is a collaborative affair, saying, 'Everything good that happened to me happened because of another person.' And on into the evening it went, as Hollywood's elite paid homage to those who have paved the way. Through it all, Bacall -- surrounded by her children, including actor Sam Robards -- looked radiant in a cream-colored gown, with her hair pulled back, awaiting her moment in the spotlight later in the night. Producer and former studio executive John Calley, 79 ('Remains of the Day') was the recipient of the Irving G. Thalberg Award, but because Calley is ill he was unable to attend. Saturday night's banquet and awards ceremony -- complete with string quartet accompaniment -- marked the first time the academy has presented its honorary awards anywhere other than on the annual Oscar telecast, scheduled this season for March 7. By giving the awards their own showcase, producer Bruce Cohen hoped the event would pay homage to the Academy Awards' early years when the ceremonies were a more intimate affair. Although Saturday's event was not televised, Oscars producers Bill Mechanic and Adam Shankman may decide to show highlights of the night's events during the broadcast of Hollywood's biggest awards celebration. 