ANOTHER NEW EMH FEATURE…OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR NEITHER
Comments(11)
- By EMH
Maybe I am getting too ahead of myself. After all, I went from months of obscurity to all of a sudden having a predictions column that demands I write at the very least twice a week. However, I am excited to play a bigger role on such an awesome site, and I love having these little talk with whomever is bored enough to read my stuff. I am not so much about breaking movie news. I prefer to throw conversation topics against the wall and see what sticks. That is why I always beg for your responses.
Anyway, this new feature is called “OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, or NEITHER!” I will give you my points and you should respond with your own. So let’s get started. Our topic is…
IS THE WIZARD OF OZ OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR NEITHER?
Today is June 10. On this day in 1922, Frances Gumm was born in Grand Rapids, Minnesota. This was the inspiration for today’s topic. Let’s look at some of the facts surrounding “The Wizard of Oz.”
· The American Film Institute (AFI) ranked Oz as the number 6 movie of all time in 1997. 10 years later, however, AFI re-issued that list and Dorothy’s adventure dropped to number 10 all time.
· AFI ranked Oz as the number 26 film all time on their 100 Years 100 Cheers list.
· AFI has it as the 3rd best movie musical of all time.
· 3 of the lines in the film are ranked by AFI among the top 100 movie lines of all time. 2 of them are in the top 25, and “Toto, I’ve got a feeling we’re not in Kansas anymore” is listed in the top 5.
· AFI actually has this movie listed as number 43 all time on its 100 Years 100 THRILLS list.
· AFI says the Wicked Witch of the West is the 4th best villain of all time.
· And 2 of the songs from the movie are ranked on the AFI list top 100 list, with “Over the Rainbow” as the number 1 movie song ever!
Let’s talk Oscars. The Wizard of Oz was not completely showered with Academy Awards. Truthfully, it only won 2 statues that year. One was for best original song. The other was for best music. As a matter of fact, Oz was not nominated for a single acting or writing Academy Award. Not even the great Judy Garland was nominated for her role as Dorothy.
The movie was re-released at theaters in 1998. It only made 15.5 million dollars. That doesn’t tell me there was a high demand to see it.
Now, you must understand that something can be great and overrated at the same time. I see posts on other sites that say “how can you think that was overrated? It was great.” Look, Titanic was a wonderful movie. It’s still overrated.
When I first sat down to write this, I thought there was no doubt in my mind. I just knew this movie was overrated. However, after reviewing box office take and the lack of awards won, I feel differently. Yes, AFI put it on a bunch of lists, but those movie quotes aren’t sappy. They are good. They stand the test of time. Though I prefer Chicago or Grease, Oz is still a great musical.
Also, the AFI did not treat Oz as some untouchable. The movie did drop from #6 to #10 in only ten years. And my last big test…I still hear people screaming about The Sound of Music and Gone With the Wind, but I don’t hear people always talking about how great The Wizard of Oz is.
DECLARATIVE STATEMENT – The Wizard of Oz is NEITHER OVERRATED OR UNDERRATED.
Now, what are your thoughts? I need to know. REMEMBER, do not tell me it’s overrated because you hate it. Conversely, don’t say it’s underrated because you love it. Use facts to back up your opinion. I can’t wait to hear from you.
Plus, let me know of other movies, TV shows, or people you would like me to use in this feature.
Sincerely,
EMH
I am a gay guy who is SUPPOSED to love Wizard of OZ and have always had to hide from my friends that I don't like the movie at all. THe movie is dated, the sets looks like a soundstage, the humor escapes me , the story is not true to the original books and if I ever have to hear Over the Rainbow one more time- it was nice the first 500 times I heard it – but PLEASE no more covers of it for at least 10 years – ok- I feel better having come out of my 'closet' on this one!
CHAD
for its time it was a great movie. i dont really like the movie in general, but i can appreciate its quality for the period it was made in.
I would have to say it's neither. It has it's place in film history, but is not one of the greatest movies ever made. I think the music stands the test of time, but the the style of the film does not, like Chad said its very soundstage. I don't really watch it much these days, and it tend to bore the kids.
I think its neither. It was just a classic for its time is all, and you have to see it at least once merely BECAUSE its a Classic. No more times necessary.
I have always hated this movie, and as a child I dreaded the Thanksgiving holiday time for television, where this would inevitably resurface each year.
Also, regarding the "it was good for its time" statements…I'm not sure that this is true. I'm not saying it's NOT true, but I'm not so quick to say that it is. I think we, in the present day, tend to use that statement to smooth over our dislikes of old film and other media that others say is great or revolutionary. Sometimes I think we say this, even if it is illogical. It's a polite way of saying, "I totally dislike this, but since so many people don't, maybe I just don't get it." But maybe you DO get it. Maybe this film isn't so great. I certainly don't think it is.
"The Wizard of Oz" film was made in 1939, an era of film (with odd and loose censorship for the time) that had much more revolutionary pieces than this, I would argue, but didn't necessarily have the child star Judy Garland. The latter fact has probably made this film stand out, for better or worse, over the years, in the same way that Shirley Temple will not fucking go away. (Don't get me started on those films.) Most all films with big-name actors of the time will not go away, whether they're good or bad films. I think "The Wizard of Oz" is a case of that. I don't see where it is particularly revolutionary, even for its time, but Garland and much of the rest of its cast were stars that carried this film for a long time. Now that the stars don't carry it, we've taken to calling it the arbitrary term of "classic," a title which carries it even further–again, whether it deserves it or not.
The movie is neither overrated nor underrated. It has become a classic based on it's ability to captivate and entertain children from the time of it's release in the 1930's to it's eagerly anticipated annual showings on Turner Classic Movies today. Granted, the production values cannot compare to the slickly produced flicks churned out of the Hollywood 'hit' machine today, but for it's time it was a triumph. The original songs and score hold up beautifully, as well as the story of Dorothy's search for happiness in a world far away, only to find that true happiness can only be found at home. Parents love sharing this movie with their children and take great pleasure in watching their children experience the wonder and joy they once experienced with their own parents. This above anything else makes the movie timeless, and why this movie will remain popular for generations to come.
HOW MANY OTHER MOVIES CAN YOU SYNC UP TO A PINK FLOYD ALBUM?!?!?!?!?! This movie is underrated because you can watch it in 2 totally different ways.
and if you didnt know, hit play on Dark Side of the Moon after the MGM lion roars.
Wizard of Oz is probably my most shameful "I have never watched this movie, shame on me" movie. You see, I live in Kansas, and nobody really gives a shit about movies here, but DAMN do they care about the Wizard of Oz. Just go to the Kansas City airport, you'll see what I mean. The closest I have ever come to seeing it was watching a stage performance of it while I was in grade school.
Coincidentally, I just read about how MGM have re-digitized the original print (at 8K no less!) and are re-releasing it again – at the staggering cost of 90 clams.
My reaction – meh.
It is a fun film, historically interesting, but IMO not the great classic that it is made out to be.
Chitty Chitty Bang Bang is more stimulating I find
The Wiz….far better ..nuff said
neither. it definitely has stood the test of time and it is timeless. it will never be as epic as say the #1 on AFI's list, citizen kane, but it is close. It has a good moral in the story, there's a great protagonist and the supporting players symbolize in the end the good things we should strive for.
it is a classic and definitely one you have to share with your kids… when i have kids i won't deny them the opportunity to marvel at the beauty that is the wizard of oz, not only because of the great story and morals it teaches, but because of how ahead of its time it was… some one mentioned it looked outdated, well YEAH! it was made in the 1930s! throw them a freaking bone! but to a child, it helps their imagination run wild! especially the digitally remastered that we have the opportunity to have! the colors are awesome!
so EMH to answer your question again…. neither.
meow