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The Wizard of Oz: Happy 70th birthday!
The Wizard of Oz turns 70 this year, and I intend to celebrate by attending one of the hi-def theatrical screenings of the movie on Wednesday - it plays at 7 PM at the Regal in Beavercreek, and at Showcase Cinemas Dayton South. Click here to see if another location suits you better.
What is there to say about this film that hasn’t already been said? I can only offer my own perspective. It’s one of my 10 favorite movies of all time. Next to Yellow Submarine, it’s probably the movie I’ve seen more often than any other. I think Oz has got it all over that other “great” movie of 1939, Gone with the Wind, which I think is considerably overrated.
And I’ll go even further to state that Judy Garland should have been nominated as Best Actress, rather than tossed the miniature juvenile award. - and I think she should have won over Vivien Leigh. And if you take issue with that, frankly, dear reader, I don’t give a damn.
But I’m not here just to trump Oz at Gone with the Wind’s expense. I can’t think of a movie that’s more beloved than Oz, nor can I think of one that’s permeated the national consciousness as deeply. Think about it. I’ll bet at least once a month you’ll hear someone make reference to the film in some way, whether it’s an anguished “I’m melting” or someone playing the Wicked cast recording for the umpteenth time.
Its regular airings on CBS for years and years (which I actually miss) went a long way toward giving that movie the foothold that it has on our hearts. Are you like me in that even when you watch a DVD of Oz, you still expect there to be a commercial after the Cowardly Lion dives out the window in the Emerald City?
And I have a personal connection with Oz a lot of people can’t claim. Earlier this decade, I toured the Sony movie lot in California. That used to be the MGM lot, where The Wizard of Oz was filmed. (Indeed, the only exterior shot in the entire movie is the clouds behind the opening titles.)
Since Sony owns the lot now, the emphasis is very understandably on Sony product - but a little too much so for my taste. And here’s a glaring example of that.
My group was walking around the sets on one of the big soundstages, and the tour guide was droning about a law drama with Tony Danza that was on TV at the time (and was off the next year, I believe). I will NEVER forget how we were walking out the door, and almost as if he were teasing us, the tour guide casually said “Oh, by the way, this is where ‘If I Only had a Brain’ was shot.”
I just about choked and I wasn’t even eating. I wanted to stay there and breathe the air a little longer!
Oh, and one other thing. I hate to break it to you, but that’s not really a man who hung himself in the background after the Tin Man joins them. It’s one of the birds they placed on the set to make it look more exotic. I know, the truth is no fun, but the myth is ridiculous. (The Dark Side of the Moon synch IS fun, though).
So why does The Wizard of Oz endure for you? What are your favorite scenes? Do the flying monkeys and the witch still give you nightmares? What do the kids today think of it?
Permalink | Comments (10) | Post your comment | Categories: Sir Critic muses
Comments
By Cathy
September 22, 2009 5:02 PM | Link to this
Wow, 70 years! It feels like just yesterday we were celebrating the 50th Anniversary! It’s my all time favorite movie and I whole heartedly agree that Judy should have won the Best Actress that year (and the year she was up against Grace Kelly, but that’s another story).By ME
September 22, 2009 3:12 PM | Link to this
I remember each fall curling up on our little sofa in our little TV room to watch the small black and white television with my little brother cause Mom and Dad didn’t care to watch Wizard of Oz yet again. But we did. When we got older and they had a color TV in their room we could watch it in color … but we didn’t really care at all. We just had to watch it every year! I miss those TV days too … We own the DVD and my hubby and I watch it a least once a year together and each time enjoy it and love it more! It is a TREASURE Sheryl you are right about that. It’s the story that will go on and on with generations!! ER I have to say in order to be fair put your bias aside and at least both of them got an oscar that year! I don’t think you can put Oz and Gone wt Wind in the same category really. They both are fantastic movies, with fabulous acting and both show us a side of the times in a different way. But I believe their purposes are much different!!By Sir Critic
September 22, 2009 12:58 PM | Link to this
Judy did win a miniature juvenile Oscar for OZ, but never won a competitive Oscar. She was nominated for A STAR IS BORN but lost to Grace Kelly in THE COUNTRY GIRL. She was also nominated for JUDGMENT AT NUREMBERG but lost to Rita Moreno in WEST SIDE STORY.By vickie
September 22, 2009 12:35 PM | Link to this
I am in my 50’s, and I remember being excited when they would show it once a year on t.v. When they colorized it, that was really special! The tornado terrified me, along with the wicked witch, and the Wizard! When he turned out to be just a man, and nice, I was so relieved! Our 18 year old daughter had actually never seen it, and when her Dad got it on tv, she was fascinated! By the way, Sir Critic, excuse my ignorance, but did Judy ever win an academy award? Im sure she had too!!By Sheryl Cowers
September 22, 2009 11:52 AM | Link to this
Just a note for all those who dismiss remakes, guess what this film is. Wizard of Oz is not a classic. It is a treasure. The perfect mix of fantasy, comedy and drama.By OUAlum
September 22, 2009 4:40 AM | Link to this
I had a professor at Ohio University who printed her syllabus on yellow paper and titled it “The Yellow Brick Road”By Jodi
September 21, 2009 9:59 PM | Link to this
I am a 42 year old Oz fan..I first seen the show at 5 and watched it everytime it came on TV untill it came out on VHS. I had to buy it .Then It came out on DVD again I had to buy it..I have a room in m y home with lots of Oz collectabuls. Judy Garland has always been my idle and I too think she should have won the Oscer for her roll..The reason why I love the show so much is..It makes me feel like a child again and believe there is truly “No place like home”!!By Pam
September 21, 2009 8:57 PM | Link to this
Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain!!!!!By TRICIA
September 21, 2009 7:50 PM | Link to this
My daughter is 5 and she loves the Wizard of Oz. We went and seen it at the Aronoff theatre in Cincinnati and it was amazing I hope it comes back againBy flipper
September 21, 2009 12:24 PM | Link to this
I’ll get you, my pretty and your little dog too. Eh Heh Heh Heh Heh!