Written By Jason Lockard
"Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore." "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" “A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.” "There's no place like home; there's no place like home; there's no place like home." These are just some of the notable quotes from the iconic film Wizard of Oz!
As the day this article is posted we are celebrating the 80th anniversary of the release of a film that takes us on a roller coaster ride of emotions! Who hasn't watched this film at least once in their lives?
Based on the children's book by Frank Baum it follows Dorthy and her faithful dog Toto's adventures through a mystical land called OZ, after being transported there via a tornado. While following the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, they meet a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a Tin Man (Jack Haley) who doesn't have a heart, and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) who wants desperately to be courageous. The wizard informs the group in order to prove worthy of his help they must destroy the Wicked Witch of the West and bring him her broomstick.
I remember watching this on TV as a kid and watching it yearly when it came on! Every single year it was an event! I couldn't miss it! I wouldn't miss it! The songs, the fun, the scary imagery of the witch and her flying monkeys. It was a feast for my child-like eyes!
Now as an adult I added The Wizard of OZ to our collection many years ago and we revisit the film in our home from time to time and I still find myself enthralled by the story, the songs, and the imagery! It simply never grows old!
It's hard to believe that while this film was a critical success, it failed to make a profit for MGM until the 1949 re-release. It was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, but lost to Gone with the Wind.
Very few films are as stunningly visual 80 years after their original release! But The Wizard of OZ seems to only get better with age. At least that is my opinion! The film stays with you!
Now Frank Baum's tale has been remade and re-imagined over the years. A Motown Version of the musical entitled The Wiz, The Return to Oz, A Muppet's version, The Tin Man miniseries, and even Oz The Great and powerful, a sort of prequel! But none of them can hold a candle to the 1939 original! Even the silent film before 1939s one. Now while all of them have their merit none of them are in the same league with this film.
So my hope is that more people would revisit this classic and celebrate the impressive piece of cinema that it truly is. It never grows old. Classic Cinema will live forever!
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