Somehow, I got stuck watching my 9/10-year old nephew the weekend it opened. I wanted to see the movie, so I took him with me and my girlfriend. He was absolutely terrified and till this day, he won't go into the ocean any father than waist high, if that. I still feel horrible about it.
To the author's point, In addition to the Jazz Singer, I think Gone with the Wind was and remains the "must see" movie of all time. To put it in perspective, adjusting for inflation, GWTW is still the number one movie of all time. Avatar is only 14 or 15. GWTW success is what really led to the "BIG" studio films that would follow.
Oh, I can so relate to your post.
To take your second point first, I agree GWTW is probably the greatest Hollywood movie of all time. There was just some uncanny stuff going on with that flick.
Vivienne Leigh as Scarlett, unbelievably good. And amazing that that English woman had her two greatest roles playing American Southerners, just weird.
Leslie Howard as Ashley Wilkes, be still my heart. I got soooo annoyed with Rush for dissing Ashley a few years ago.
Now, I know there is controversy about Clark Gable as Rhett, but I LOVE Clark Gable and I thought he was perfect.
However, to me, Olivia DeHavilland as Melanie MAKES the movie. She also makes that character amazingly believable. In the book she is a little 2D and we only see her through Scarlett’s eyes. DeHavilland made her really be a true and truly good person.
All the supporting cast was EXCELLENT.
Maybe I’ll make hubby watch it for father’s day, since movie lover that he is, he’s never seen it.
But, it goes beyond the cast. The costumes are too perfect. If you have ever read the book, you’ll realize that even some of the outfits that are not really described in the book are somehow perfectly rendered in the movie. This was proved by the fantastic Carol Burnett spoof of the movie were she come in wearing the curtains!
I also sympathize with your plight regarding your nephew. We had a similar situation in my family.
My brother watched “the shining” with my daughter when she was about 8. (that was foolish). Then my daughter asked my mother did she believe the devil was real. Of course my mother said yes.
Well, it took a while to get beyond that.
I think we got there finally, but while I might tell your story to my brother I won’t be mentioning it to the kid!
You are quite correct. In fact, of the top 20 inflation-adjust box office movies, 10 were made before Jaws.
That's especially interesting because it means those dollars were marketed to a much smaller population and one with a lot less disposable income.
GWTW also had relatively little international appeal. Being eaten by a shark is something anyone around the world can identify with. The American Civil war isn't likely to be nearly as interesting to someone in Thailand or Brazil.
Also, the author exaggerates the impact on the industry of the dollars brought in by Jaws. The Sting and The Exorcist, both in 73, each brought in almost as much money.