We’re Off to See the Wizard – the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Who can ever forget the saucer eyes of children when they witness the glory that is, “The Wizard of Oz.” A film about a little girl’s trip to another world, “Oz,” filmed in sepia then unfolding into shimmering colour on the giant screen. What squeals of joy are there when Dorothy trips down a golden road to a celedon-city that no-one will ever recapture. The original is simply too perfect. Fast Facts From The Wizard of Oz Directed by Victor Flemming – Best Picture Cast

• Judy Garland – Dorothy; winner of the Academy Juvenile Award
• Ray Bolger – Scarecrow
• Jack Haley – Tin Man
• Bert Lahr – Yellow Lion
• Frank Morgan – The Wizard of Oz.

Image via Wikipedia

Other Memorables

• Singer Midgets as the Munchkins.
• Billie Burke – Glenda the Good Witch
• Margaret Hamilton – the Wicked Witch of the West.

 The Song of Songs, “Over the Rainbow”

• Oscar for Best Original Song
• Voted by American Film to be the greatest movie song ever.

 Even More Oscars

• Best Effects
• Best Original Music Score 

Please Release Me Let Me Go Released at the Oconomowoc, Wisconsin’s Strand Theatre on 12th of August, 1939, the film was a hit but was then criticized by slow witted writers as being saccharine. Shown at Grumman’s Chinese Theatre, Hollywood, three days later audiences flocked to attest the joys of colour combine with wicked, wicked effects. It made 3 million in 1939, with an outlay of 2.8 million.  When it was re-released ten years later it made another one and a half million for producers. Cash aside the emotional effect the film brings is priceless.

Image via Wikipedia 

The Nitty GrittyThe Kansas Scenes were shown in Black and White for thirty years. The original intention was to use original sepia tone, due to the gradual change to  colour, that it creates. Editors chose black and white, though, giving a sudden demarcation into colour when Dorothy opens the door to that Munchkin Village. It was not until 1990 that the original sepia beginning were shown as intended.  The mid-fifties saw the film blown up onto the Wide-screen, then shown on Television in 1956, with CBS. Very few saw the film in technicolour on their small screens, however, as colour-telly was yet to be invented. 1980 saw the original movie released on video, in bright and vivid colour. It was the first video release ever by MGM/CBS Home Video. Birth pangsFew of the cast today are living. But those who are tell of a difficult birth. The first director stormed off, Judy Garland almost missed the lead role as Dorothy, to Shirley Temple, and the cost of the super effects skyrocketed. The songwriters remember that they were the least paid, as simply talent-for-hire, despite being showered with glory for their lyrics. A difficult shoot to be true but aren’t they then the most beautiful children? Oh Pinnacle of Platinum PleasureA memorable moment was finding the movie showing one early morn, in the early-noughties, after coming home from a pleasure escapade at a massive Sydney doof. What fun. It was such great way to recover after a wonderful, wonderful night out. It’s boring writing more now, as the movie speaks for herself. The Wizard of Oz, is indeed the purest form of cinema, still bringing ecstasy and elan to adult and child alike. Another Review by this Author Journal of a Triond Trog Nine ( Book Review )