VANITY FAIR - RAIN THREATENS TO DAMPEN OSCAR NIGHT GLAMOUR PARTIES

RAIN THREATENS TO DAMPEN OSCAR NIGHT GLAMOUR PARTIES

This year's Oscars ceremony is going ahead as the writer's strike ends, but a lack of post-award parties and forecast of rain threaten a gloomy night.

The show's producer Gil Cates said he was "confident the weather is going to be OK", adding: "If it rains, it'll be good for the flowers."

Meanwhile, the high-profile Vanity Fair bash has been cancelled amid the writers' strike.

People magazine's party has also been cancelled, but Elton John's Oscar-viewing bash is still on.

Films tipped for awards this year include the Coen brothers' No Country for Old Men, There Will Be Blood starring Daniel Day-Lewis and quirky comedy Juno.

There was uncertainty as to whether the Oscars ceremony would take place at all this year, as many stars refused to cross picket lines during the writer's strike in Hollywood.

The Golden Globes in January was presented at a low-key press conference rather than an awards ceremony and the dispute looked set to threaten the biggest night of the year in Hollywood.

But the strike ended two weeks ago, giving organisers enough time to roll out the red carpet, albeit under plastic covering to protect it from the rain.