It may not be an Oscar, but director Martin Scorsese received Harvard University's Hasty Pudding Man of the Year award on Thursday - and dressed for the occasion in a curly wig and a bra made out of playing cards.

It was declared "Martin Scorsese day" in Cambridge, Massachusetts - where Harvard is located - as the Gangs of New York director played along with the light-hearted ceremony.

He was made to repeat the phrase: "To whom are you talking?"

The award was given by Harvard stage club The Hasty Pudding Theatricals, who also gave him a grammar lesson as he stood in front of a blackboard bearing his famous film line: "You talkin' to me?"

A student dressed as a strict schoolmistress made Scorsese repeat the grammatically correct phrase: "To whom are you speaking?"

Scorsese said: "I kind of had inside information that I was going to get the prize tonight so I went along with everything."

The spoof ceremony took place on the opening night of The Hasty Pudding Theatricals' production It's a Wonderful Afterlife.

Scorsese was also given a golden key to the city by two of the Cambridge mayor's representatives.

He recently found out that he has been nominated for an Oscar for his latest film, Gangs of New York.

Film legend

It is his sixth nomination, but he has never won - and many think this will be his year.

He is considered one of the greatest living US directors, with career highlights including Raging Bull, Taxi Driver, Goodfellas and Casino.

The Hasty Pudding Woman of the Year award went to Anjelica Huston, star of The Grifters and Royal Tenenbaums.

The Hasty Pudding prizes have been awarded since 1951, with past recipients including Elizabeth Taylor, Julia Roberts, Sean Connery and Tom Cruise.

Last year, Bruce Willis and Sarah Jessica Parker were given the honour.