No. 29 - The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Mighty Miracle Show Of 1000 Delights!

Rated: G (General audiences)

Director: Victor Fleming, George Cukor and Mervyn LeROy (both uncredited); Screenplay: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, Edgar Allan Woolf; based on The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by Frank Baum

Director: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Margaret Hamilton, Billie Burke, Clara Blandick, Terry (as Toto)

Movie Introduction: When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy Gale (Garland) and her dog, Toto, are whisked away in their farmhouse to the magical Land of Oz. As Dorothy seeks to get back home, Oz residents, namely Glenda The Good Witch and the wonderful munchkins, encourage her to follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to ask the mysterious Wizard (Morgan) for help. En route she meets a friendly Scarecrow (Bolger) who needs a brain, a sensitive Tin Man (Haley) missing a heart, and a cowardly Lion (Lahr) who yearns for some courage. They finally reach the mysterious wizard who offers to help Dorothy, but only if she can obtain the broom belonging to the evil Wicked Witch of the West (Hamilton). This proves to be no simple task.

Defining Moment: welcome to Oz

Dorothy has lived all of her life on the simple farm plains of Kansas. The opening segment was purposefully filmed in black and white (Actually sepia tone). When a stormy tornado lifts her home through the sky, it finally drops with a sudden thud, and all is quiet.  She gingerly moves to open her front door, and pushes it open. Revealed is a foreign new world, all on full display using a new film concept called Technicolor. And there, many incredible wonders await...

Something subtle you might have missed:  multiple personalities

Most main actors (not named "Dorothy") play multiple parts in this film. Dorothy's three Oz-traveling companions are her family's farm workers: Hunk (Scarecrow), Zeke (Lion) and Hickory (Tin Man).  Margaret Hamilton played the scheming spinster Almira Gulch, The Wicked Witch of the East (before the house fell on her) and finally her sister, the Wicked Witch of the West.

However, none played more roles than the versatile character actor Frank Morgan. He plays Professor Marvel, the Oz gatekeeper, the Oz Guard, the Oz Coachman, and finally the Wizard himself. Now, that is impressive!

Memorable Quotes:

"Very well – I'll bide my time. And as for you, my fine lady, it's true I can't attend to you here and now as I'd like; but just try to stay out of my way – just try! I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!” – The Wicked Witch

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain! The Great Oz has spoken!" - The Wizard

Dad's Review:

From my childhood memories, there was one movie I distinctly remember looking forward to every year. You have to remember, back then we only had three channels. By that I mean, there were only three channels to be had, and one of those was mostly static.  Full length feature films were only shown by a network once a year, if that. This was the same for The Ten Commandments (usually shown before Easter) and The Searchers. By the time these classics came around each year, the anticipation was intense.

It was a brilliant idea to start the film in black and white, then, after the wild twister ride, opens the front door to the full color Land of Oz! Still today, the scene is breathtaking. It is important to understand that in 1939, color film technology was in its infancy, so was really something magical, especially to families that had a color TV.

Oz, without question, is an odd place. We are introduced to munchkins, witches, wizards and flying monkeys. Without proper direction and some amazing performances from the cast, this could have come off as just a silly children's film. Instead, it is so much more. The story takes a normal young lady, living in hard circumstances, and transports her to a new fantastical place. She experiences a grand adventure, but by the end, she just wants to "go home". Except our traveler and spunky dog are a little more appreciative, and perhaps a little wiser. This is such a universal theme.

I think two performances really carry the film. The first is Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West, who delivers an iconic character. The American Film Institute (AFI) has the Wicked Witch ranked #4 on "AFI's 100 Years...100 Heroes & Villains". Personally, she scared the heck out of me, but I grew to love her over-the-top performance, and still do. She herself always loved the role, too, and reprised it many times for cameo appearances on TV. (Check out her witchy appearance on the 1976 Paul Lynde Halloween Special, starring musical guest: KISS in their kabuki prime!)

The second great performance is Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow. Dorothy meets the Scarecrow first and says goodbye to him last. Bolger, a very talented dancer, immortalized the role. From the minute he falls off that fence post, he steals the show. He is so much fun to watch. His wonderfully "brain-less" character repeatedly saves our heroes from certain calamity using his wits. His portrayal of the Scarecrow is one of cinema’s most beloved characters.

This is not to say the other performances are not up to snuff. Judy Garland is wonderful in the lead role. And who doesn’t love the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr) and the weepy Tin Man (Jack Haley). This film is packed with unforgettable characters and magical moments.

Onto No. 30... Heave Scythe