I've heard of it, and have seen clips of it, but have never seen it in its entirety. It certainly isn't one of Disney's most popular movies, and it is controversial for being racist. So I'm guessing the poster who mentioned it was trying to make some sort of joke.
OT: What movie would the highest percentage of Americans have seen?
- Thread starter john4psu
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He's talking about Song of the South, not Road House
I have adult children and grandkids. I don't think they've ever watched those old Christmas movies either, but everyone loves National Lampoons Christmas vacation. As for the kid's stuff, just never interested in sitting through them.
I think the answer to this question depends on whether you're looking at theater viewing or theater + everything else, including home video, television broadcasts, cable showings etc.
Gone with the Wind still stands at the top of the list for number of people who've purchased tickets, with over 200 million sold. Star Wars is second with 178 million, then Sound of Music with 158 million.
But when you add in home viewing, I would bet that Wizard of Oz tops the list. It had three theatrical releases, in '39, '49 and '55, and then began playing annually on CBS in 1956. Keep in mind that most markets only had a handful of channels in much of that era, so those annual viewings would've had HUGE numbers of people watching in the pre-cable era. Gone with the Wind hasn't had nearly as many television viewings. Star Wars has been on a lot, but in the era of hundreds of cable channels where there just aren't as many people viewing any one channel. And Lucas won't quit f**king with the stupid thing so people aren't even seeing "Star Wars" as it was originally released, they're seeing "George Lucas Won't Quit f**king with Star Wars So That He Can Add A Couple of New Stupid Aliens in the Background."
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Gone with the Wind still stands at the top of the list for number of people who've purchased tickets, with over 200 million sold. Star Wars is second with 178 million, then Sound of Music with 158 million.
But when you add in home viewing, I would bet that Wizard of Oz tops the list. It had three theatrical releases, in '39, '49 and '55, and then began playing annually on CBS in 1956. Keep in mind that most markets only had a handful of channels in much of that era, so those annual viewings would've had HUGE numbers of people watching in the pre-cable era. Gone with the Wind hasn't had nearly as many television viewings. Star Wars has been on a lot, but in the era of hundreds of cable channels where there just aren't as many people viewing any one channel. And Lucas won't quit f**king with the stupid thing so people aren't even seeing "Star Wars" as it was originally released, they're seeing "George Lucas Won't Quit f**king with Star Wars So That He Can Add A Couple of New Stupid Aliens in the Background."
That's my story and I'm sticking to it.
Are we talking living Americans? Or Americans, over time, whether dead or living?
If we're talking living Americans, it almost has to be some kid movie, otherwise you're excluding a high percentage of potential viewers right off the bat. Either an all-time Disney classic ... or maybe something more recent, like Toy Story. The adults would have likely watched the movie with their kids at least once.
If we're talking the highest percentage of Americans, dead or living, then it has to be an old movie, that has stood the test of time. Wizard of Oz would be a good bet. Then again, Wizard of Oz could win under the first set of criteria, as well.
Nope
My wife says the same thing whenever the topic comes up. I am probably the only American that's never seen ET or A Christmas Story.You've never seen ET? Isn’t that like unAmerican or something?
At least as of last week, Hulu was streaming it free to subscribers.
I thought the song playing at the very beginning was by the Cruzados.
If you are talking about people alive now that have watched, not cumulative over time I think it has to be a movie that adults watched with their kids over the past 30 years. Or one of the classics that play year after year, like Rudolph, Frosty, Christmas Vacation, Home Alone.
I'm in my 50s and have kids in their 20s. My list would go something like this
Toy Story
Frozen
Lion King
Little Mermaid
Avengers/Iron Man series
Star Wars
Titanic (never watched it, never will)
There is a whole generation that watches (and memorizes all the lines) from Will Farrell movies. Step Brothers, Anchorman, Talladega Nights.....my son knows every line and uses them every chance he can)
I'm in my 50s and have kids in their 20s. My list would go something like this
Toy Story
Frozen
Lion King
Little Mermaid
Avengers/Iron Man series
Star Wars
Titanic (never watched it, never will)
There is a whole generation that watches (and memorizes all the lines) from Will Farrell movies. Step Brothers, Anchorman, Talladega Nights.....my son knows every line and uses them every chance he can)
Really, some of you have never seen ET, The Godfather, or Forrest Gump?
Why deprive yourself? This is really good stuff you're missing here. You don't have to watch everything but if you're rationing yourself then those three are a great start. Watch the good stuff. There are a lot of really great films out there, get TCM. Yes, it's easy to take the attitude that it's mindless entertainment, but if it is it's good mindless entertainment, worth the time if you've got it.
Why deprive yourself? This is really good stuff you're missing here. You don't have to watch everything but if you're rationing yourself then those three are a great start. Watch the good stuff. There are a lot of really great films out there, get TCM. Yes, it's easy to take the attitude that it's mindless entertainment, but if it is it's good mindless entertainment, worth the time if you've got it.
My 13 YO daughter recently sat and watched Casablanca with me. She loved it....although she thought they smoked too much.
Never have seen any Ma and Pa Kettles or Charlie Chans or Titanic. Never completely viewed Christmas Story, Gone with the Wind, or It's a Wonderful Life.
I would go with the Wizard of Oz as #1. Has to be a movie that would also appeal to kids to get a wide spread viewership, and has to be easily available. Although now with internet, that becomes much easier.
I would go with the Wizard of Oz as #1. Has to be a movie that would also appeal to kids to get a wide spread viewership, and has to be easily available. Although now with internet, that becomes much easier.
Were the flying monkeys too much to handle ?
I know the Robert Mitchum film I've seen the most times is the Longest Day.
I've seen every movie mentioned here except for Ishtar and the few porn references. Movies I've seen the most.
1. The Magnificent Seven
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. True Grit
4. A Christmas Story
5. Lethal Weapon
1. The Magnificent Seven
2. Shawshank Redemption
3. True Grit
4. A Christmas Story
5. Lethal Weapon
Was this an anonymous survey? If it was, Debbie Does Dallas and Deep Throat would be in the top 5
Unfortunately, he died. Cancer took that guy's vision and then another form took him later in life. They(The Jeff Healy Band) did have that one really popular song from I think the 90's, Angel Eyes.
Currently living Americans? I’m thinking the big box office earners have to be up there.
Avengers (infinity war, end game)
Avatar
Titanic
But acknowledging they haven’t “been in existence as long” then maybe
Ferris Buellers Day Off
Groundhog Day
Shawshank
When Harry met Sally
Star Wars (New Hope and Empire Strikes Back)
Avengers (infinity war, end game)
Avatar
Titanic
But acknowledging they haven’t “been in existence as long” then maybe
Ferris Buellers Day Off
Groundhog Day
Shawshank
When Harry met Sally
Star Wars (New Hope and Empire Strikes Back)
The only thing cooler than getting the chicks is scaring the chicks . - Beavis or was it ButtheadMy Robert Mitchum film has women.
Sorry to hear that. Despite seeing the movie a couple dozen times I am not as up on my Roadhouse facts as I should be.
Wonder how it would turn out if you counted each person's repeat viewings. Every time I stumble across Shawshank Redemption, I find myself watching it to the end. Just a fabulous movie, especially the last five or so minutes..
The movie I seem to watch every time it's on is Battleground, 1949 movie about the Battle of the Bulge. I've mentioned before that my uncle was KIA in that battle, and, unbelievably, his anniversary was last week. 75 years ago.
I think that was the point. "Song of the South" was made in a less enlightened time and would be considered racist today. It's a movie Disney would unmake if they could.
