ANOTHER NEW EMH FEATURE...OVERRATED, UNDERRATED, OR NEITHER

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