I was supposed to start a topic on Ed Wood awhile back, but somehow I forgot that. Tim Burton's film Ed Wood is a loving homage to whom many consider the worst director of all time. I think that there are more "unworthy" candidates, such as Larry Buchanan or even Al Adamson, but Ed Wood stood out long before his 1994 bio pic. That film works so well though because it's almost all completely true and never makes fun of Wood. But Ed Wood's life is often depicted right there on screen in some of his own "classics".

Everybody knows Plan 9 From Outer Space, but he made many films much more amateurish and ridiculous. I mean, Plan 9 is his "big-budget" extravaganza with more "big-name" stars than all his other films put together.

Have you seen Glen or Glenda? where Wood plays the title character himself and has his real-life girlfriend playing the role of Glen's girlfriend who doesn't realize that her fiance loves to dress up in her clothes?

Ed Wood depicted the making of Wood's Bride of the Monster quite well, but the actual movie, where Bela Lugosi wrestles with a rubber octopus is even more pathetic than what's depicted in the Burton film. The fact that Wood made a sequel (Night of the Ghouls) is outrageous.

There were other Wood classics (Jail Bait being the most-notable), and then Wood turned in the '60s to filming semi-nudie strip movies!

The best film, besides the Johnny Depp one, about Wood is the documentary The Haunted World of Edward D. Wood, Jr.. I recommend that to anyone who wants to take the next step after watching the Tim Burton bio. Ed Wood lived a very bizarre and sad life, so I'm glad he goes out a winner in his biographical film.

Enough rambling; anybody have any opinions on the real Ed Wood and his real movies? Do you have any personal stories about having your friends over to watch one of Wood's classics so that you could all yell cracks and insults at the screen? Let's show some Ed Wood love.

Well, first off, I'm appalled that not one single one of you has replied yet, but what am I to expect? I watched Glen or Glenda for the first time not that long ago and it was interesting. It seemed like a somewhat modern topic for the 50's. The acting though, was a bit flat. I do think though, that it was worth an hour of my time.
Don't tell me that no one else has an opinion on Edward D. Wood Jr. or hasn't seen any of his movies, come on.

I must say I love Tim Burton's biopic of Ed Wood, not only is it very funny but it is also very touching at times. Bela Lugosi is a hilarious and yet tragic character. The film does snigger a little at his directing/writing/producing/acting "skills" but how can you not laugh a bit at a man who cast a doctor to play the top part of Bela Lugosi's head and who got all his cast members to get baptised for a film? lol
Personally, I have only seen Plan 9 From Outer Space and I loved it! YOu know how some films are "so bad they're good"? Well, that film was. My favourite part is when we see the last footage of Bela Lugosi next to his house, smelling a flower, then he walks off-shot and we hear a random car-crash sound and a weird scream. I burst out laughing. And that's not mentionning the Tor Johnnson having trouble getting out of the grave bit or that moment where a cop hits the antenna of the car with his gun by mistake.
Anyway, Ed Wood is probably one of the worst directors of all time, but at least his films are entertaining and funny (unintentionnaly though), some directors today make crap, boring crap that are a waste of money. (Battlefield Earth, Charlie's Angels 2) At least Ed Wood didn't spend that much money! He didn't have much money to spend! Ed Wood rules, full stop.

"PULL THE STRINGS! PULL THE STRINGS!" loool

Besides the afformentioned Burton movie, I have yet to see a Mr. Wood movie. My first exposure to Mr. Wood was through a documentary 'It Came From Hollywood' where they showed clips of terrible movies.

I do grow tired of people ridiculing this man's attempts at cinema. Many of the people making fun of him probably don't have any better understanding of cinematic language then he did. Sure he was certainly no Akira Kurosawa -who is?- but he put his heart and soul into what he loved, and it simply is not fair to judge him and make him out to be some bumbling idiot.

One thing Burton's movie reveals is the fact that he was completely rushed and pressed for time. What if he had more time? Or more Money? On top of that we over look terrible directors -Paul W.S. Anderson for instance- who have these luxuries.

How would your family feel if that was your legacy?

I find Ed Wood films highly entertaining.

He didn't have talent, but he had boundless enthusiasm. I've seen Plan 9 and Glen or Glenda many times. Take away james Cameron's money and he'd be making films like that too.

Imagine 'Aliens' without the budget. I think George Lucas would be in the same boat. There were scenes in Revenge of the Sith that Ed Wood could have directed himself! Plan 9 could have been 'Independence day' if it had special FX.

Ironically, Team America has finally shown the world what a big budget movie is like without the frills. Ed Wood demonstrated that long ago - ahead of his time, albeit unwittingly.