Hollywood gathers for unpredictable Oscars show

HOLLYWOOD (AFP) - Hollywood's finest gathered on Sunday for the Oscars, with Ben Affleck's Iran hostage drama Argo bidding to edge out Steven Spielberg's Lincoln in one of the least predictable races in years.

The Californian sun sparkled on golden Oscar statuettes lining the red carpet outside the Dolby Theatre, ahead of the A-list fashion parade that precedes the 85th Academy Awards, the climax of Hollywood's awards season.

In a heavily musical show, British songstress Adele was to sing 007 theme Skyfall - as part of a segment feting 50 years of Bond films - and legendary diva Barbra Streisand give her first Oscars performance for 36 years.

Affleck - who would be the first person to win best picture without being nominated as director since "Driving Miss Daisy" in 1990 - got a diplomatic boost Saturday when new US Secretary of State John Kerry tweeted best wishes.