Classic Movies

[lilhave]

When you look at lists for the best "classic movies" of all times, most top 5's have The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, Citzen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and Wizard of Oz. I can agree with four of them but the Wizard of Oz?. A tin man, a scarecrow, a cowardly Lion, etc. I just never understood the movie, with the exception of Margaret Hamilton as the wicked witch. Great villain.

Did you think Wizard of Oz deserved it's star status?

Harvey

[Brian Damage]

When you look at lists for the best "classic movies" of all times, most top 5's have The Maltese Falcon, Casablanca, Citzen Kane, Gone with the Wind, and Wizard of Oz. I can agree with four of them but the Wizard of Oz?. A tin man, a scarecrow, a cowardly Lion, etc. I just never understood the movie, with the exception of Margaret Hamilton as the wicked witch. Great villain.

Did you think Wizard of Oz deserved it's star status?

Harvey

Absolutely!

That movie has stood the test of time. Considering this was years and years before CGI effects, it was so ahead of its time.

[tv star collector]

I couldn't have said it better myself. "The Wizard of Oz" is a classic! It has
probably been aired on television more times than any other motion picture.
But, surprisingly, back in 1939 in its original theatrical release, it was not a
big box office success. It was, I think, annual network telecasts for so many
years that solidified its enduring popularity to a great extent. Ironic, isn't it,
that it was the medium of TV that was largely responsible for the lasting
success of a movie? Leonard Maltin summed it up best: "A genuine American
classic ... A perfect cast in the perfect fantasy ... Just as good the fifteenth
time as it is the first time." "Over the Rainbow" (which was almost deleted
from the film) won an Oscar, as did the score and Judy Garland. What's not
to like?

[Lex Luthor]

The fact that it has tons of replayability (holy spelling error Batman) and stands the test of time makes it a shoe in for one of the all time greats.

I would bet that less than 25% of the younger crowd here has seen the other candidates ( I have only seen 2 of the others) but probably 80% or more has seen the Wizard of OZ. A classic that will be every bit as enjoyable in 2039.

[lilhave]

I couldn't have said it better myself. "The Wizard of Oz" is a classic! It has
probably been aired on television more times than any other motion picture.
But, surprisingly, back in 1939 in its original theatrical release, it was not a
big box office success. It was, I think, annual network telecasts for so many
years that solidified its enduring popularity to a great extent. Ironic, isn't it,
that it was the medium of TV that was largely responsible for the lasting
success of a movie? Leonard Maltin summed it up best: "A genuine American
classic ... A perfect cast in the perfect fantasy ... Just as good the fifteenth
time as it is the first time." "Over the Rainbow" (which was almost deleted
from the film) won an Oscar, as did the score and Judy Garland. What's not
to like?

Your right about it not being well received in 1939. Gone with the Wind came out the same year. In fact Garland wasn't even the first choice. The studio moguls wanted Shirley Temple but her mother who was a real "show business mom" and was quite feared, didn't think it was right for Shirley. Obviously a bad move.

Reminds me of 1950 when 5 singers turned down a little novelty number as to corny, so they asked a past his prime country singer to do it. Number 3 on the all time list for songs sold is Gene Autry, and Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. Me, the only thing I'm ever asked os to take out the garbage by my wife.

Harvey

[lilhave]

I couldn't have said it better myself. "The Wizard of Oz" is a classic! It has
probably been aired on television more times than any other motion picture.
But, surprisingly, back in 1939 in its original theatrical release, it was not a
big box office success. It was, I think, annual network telecasts for so many
years that solidified its enduring popularity to a great extent. Ironic, isn't it,
that it was the medium of TV that was largely responsible for the lasting
success of a movie? Leonard Maltin summed it up best: "A genuine American
classic ... A perfect cast in the perfect fantasy ... Just as good the fifteenth
time as it is the first time." "Over the Rainbow" (which was almost deleted
from the film) won an Oscar, as did the score and Judy Garland. What's not
to like?

Your right about it not being well received in 1939. Gone with the Wind came out the same year. In fact Garland wasn't even the first choice. The studio moguls wanted Shirley Temple but her mother who was a real "show business mom" and was quite feared, didn't think it was right for Shirley. Obviously a bad move.

Reminds me of 1950 when 5 singers turned down a little novelty number as to corny, so they asked a past his prime country singer to do it. Number 3 on the all time list for songs sold is Gene Autry, and Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. Me, the only thing I'm ever asked is to take out the garbage.

Harvey

[tdf4077]

From those 5, I would say that Maltese Falcon should be replaced by It's a Wonderful Life...but that's just me.

[sara]

Your right about it not being well received in 1939. Gone with the Wind came out the same year. In fact Garland wasn't even the first choice. The studio moguls wanted Shirley Temple but her mother who was a real "show business mom" and was quite feared, didn't think it was right for Shirley. Obviously a bad move.

Reminds me of 1950 when 5 singers turned down a little novelty number as to corny, so they asked a past his prime country singer to do it. Number 3 on the all time list for songs sold is Gene Autry, and Rudolph the Red nosed Reindeer. Me, the only thing I'm ever asked is to take out the garbage.

Harvey
Mervyn LeRoy didn't use Shirley Temple because he thought the role of Dorothy would be too demanding for her. At least that is what was said in the documentary in my Wizard of Oz DVD set.

[comedyfreak]

From those 5, I would say that Maltese Falcon should be replaced by It's a Wonderful Life...but that's just me.
I'm in agreement. I also think The Wizard Of Oz is a great classic, I use to get choked up when Dorthy is calling for her Auntie M and the Witch mocks her.

[Pitooey]

Judy Garland in herself is a classic. This movie is a national treasure. Children love it. Grownups love it. You can watch it thousands of times and never tire of it. Judy sings beautifully in this movie.

[romanov1@suscom-main]

I agree with Wizard Of Oz

[Mr.Burns]

I think that the five listed are classics