The Christmas before last, my daughter was in the local Musical Society’s production of ‘The Wizard of Oz’. Appearing as both a ‘Principal Dancer’ and ‘speaking Munchkin number 1’, she of course stole the show from my point of view and her three lines will forever be etched on my memory.
It was a wonderful production, which ran for 12 nights to mostly packed audiences in a tiny provincial 120 seat theatre. A very friendly atmosphere, incredibly mature singing for a teenage cast and an extremely professional production, left everyone who saw it with a tremendous feeling of well being as they left the theatre.
I was of course familiar with The Wizard of Oz story before my daughter appeared in the show but surprisingly enough, perhaps the only person in the western world, I had never actually seen the film.
All my knowledge of it seemed to be gleaned second hand, from excerpts on the TV or radio, or familiar phrases or songs frequently being aired, so as my daughter’s rehearsals were about to start, we bought the video of this famous film, to give her an idea how a Hollywood actor plays the part of a speaking munchkin.
I have to say, I was transfixed by it, utterly and completely won over and following the recent acquisition of my
bargain DVD player this was one of the first DVD’s I’ve bought.
Its a wonderful interpretation of a truly beautiful film, pure vintage magic – the most fabulous fairy story ever told. No wonder it is acknowledged as so many people’s cherished favorite, fantasy film musical from MGM during its golden years. The DVD is an excellent format for storing films like this, which have stood the test of time and this one in particular is an absolute gem.
Nowadays L. Frank Baum’s story would probably be made into a cartoon, but in those days a musical was what was needed. Initially, however, the film was not commercially successful even though it was critically acclaimed and in the most classic Hollywood year was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture, Best Color Cinematography, Best Interior Decoration, Best Special Effects, Best Song ("Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen and lyrics by E.Y. Harburg) and Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart), and won only two Oscars - for its dual musical nominations. Judy Garland was also presented with a Special Award for her "outstanding performance as a screen juvenile."
The film was brilliantly adapted from L. Frank Baum's venerated children's book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, published in 1900. It is a wonderful, and sometimes scary, fantasy about a girl named Dorothy (Judy Garland) who is carried by a tornado from her Kansas home to the strange and wonderful Land of Oz. She sets out on a journey in search of a way to get home.
Along the way, Dorothy is befriended by a talking scarecrow (Ray Bolger), tin man (Jack Haley) and lion (Bert Lahr), each of whom is also in search of something. The scarecrow lacks a brain; the tin man a heart; and, the cowardly lion is looking to find courage
These actors had apparently all come up through a tradition of vaudeville and revue comedy, and played the characters totally without self-consciousness, probably because none of them knew what a great movie this was. They seem relaxed and totally laid back.
Dorothy and the gang face challenges along the way - everything from ill-tempered trees that like to throw their fruit at people, to a menacing band of flying monkeys who do particularly mean things to men made of straw. Pretty scary stuff, especially for younger children.
Each scene in The Wizard of Oz is visually spectacular and creative. Each song is inspired. And the performances, especially by Dorothy and her three companions, are memorable. The bad guys are very bad - especially the wicked witch, played by Margaret Hamilton.
The Wizard of Oz has no dull moments. It is understandably popular with kids, and just as much fun for adults. If its Christmas it will be on television! In 1939, when it first came out nearly all films were still being made in black and white, the opening scenes in Kansas where in black and white, whilst the move to Oz brought with it glorious (at that time) technicolour.
‘The Wizard of Oz’' has a wonderful combination of comedy and music, special effects and excitement, but it is still incredibly watchable sixty years later because its underlying story touches on the deepest insecurities of childhood (am I ugly?, silly?, stupid?, brave enough?), stirs them round and then reassures them. I loved it because it reminded me of childhood and growing up - a journey we all take.
Judy Garland put in a magical performance in this film, already almost 17 when she played young Dorothy and she projected vulnerability and sadness in every tone of her voice. Her whole persona projected a wistful uncertainty. When she hoped that troubles would melt like lemon drops, you were convinced she had troubles.
The special effects are glorious in that old Hollywood way, in which you don't even have to look closely to see where the set ends and the backdrop begins. Modern special effects show exactly how imaginary scenes might look. In those days, it wasn’t so slick but the effects showed how we thought about them, much more imaginative. Nowadays it would probably be a bigger and much more impressive Yellow Brick Road but not necessarily a more effective one.
The DVD has loads of features: Interactive theatres; Theatrical trailers; a behind-the-scenes documentary called "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic," hosted by Angela Lansbury; out-takes, including the rarely seen "Jitterbug" dance; deleted scenes; and five theatrical trailers. Excellent quality and superb value for money even at the full price of £19.99, but I bought it off the internet from Blackstar at an incredible £7.99!
The ending of “Oz” is unbelievably poignant. Dorothy is back in Kansas, but the color has drained from the film, and her magical friends are mundane once again.
I’ve watched the video and the DVD several times since we bought it and I was a regular member of the audience for my daughter’s production of Oz.
Each time I watched my daughter's show I had tears in my eyes at the end and the DVD has the same affect on me – definitely a worthy endorsement.
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Music / Performing Arts, Comedy - Director: Trevor Nunn, Geoffrey Posner - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, Parental Guidance - Starring: Duncan Preston, Celia Imrie, Julie Walters, Victoria Wood, Jim Broadbent
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Advantages: Timeless classic to be enjoyed by all, great story, beautiful sets, rousing musical sequences Disadvantages: The moral seems to be (in addition to "There's no place like home") that Dorothy should kill Miss Almira Gulch
davey 19.11.2001 (20.11.2001)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of The Wizard Of Oz (DVD)
Advantages: Timeless classic to be enjoyed by all, great story, beautiful sets, rousing musical sequences Disadvantages: The moral seems to be (in addition to "There's no place like home") that Dorothy should kill Miss Almira Gulch
Advantages: Fun for all the family Disadvantages: Not as popular as the original
charlottehammond 09.04.2007 (10.04.2007)
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: somewhat helpful
Review of Muppet's Wizard Of Oz (DVD)
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