People: Feb. 17, 1986

'PURPLE,' 11; 'AFRICA,' 11; SPIELBERG, 0. That Los Angeles Times headline last week trumpeted the most anomalous Oscar nomination outcome in recent years. Both chosen as best picture candidates, Out of Africa and The Color Purple tied for the most nominations with eleven each. Africa's total included a nomination for best actress to Meryl Streep and for best director to Sydney Pollack, but while Whoopi Goldberg was named for Purple, Director Steven Spielberg was glaringly omitted, after being nominated three times in the past. Why? Some of Hollywood's glittersnipes speculate that it is sheer jealousy over his relentless commercial successes. Said veteran Hollywood Producer Daniel Melnick: "It's as if the nominators expressed their awe for the Sistine Chapel while snubbing Michelangelo."