'The Wizard of Oz' still casts a spell

[snopes]

It was 70 years ago this week that "The Wizard of Oz" arrived in theaters, and even in this CGI-jaded era those old red ruby slippers still manage to sparkle.

http://www.latimes.com/entertainment...,4986668.story

[jimmy101_again]

It was brilliantly done for 70 years ago and still is brilliant today.

I can't imagine a modern movie maker making a cgi version of the flying monkeys that would be even half as scary as the ones from 70 years ago.

I also can't imagine anyone (or any type of animation) that make a wicked witch scarier than in the original.

[Insensible Crier]

Originally Posted by jimmy101_again

It was brilliantly done for 70 years ago and still is brilliant today.

I can't imagine a modern movie maker making a cgi version of the flying monkeys that would be even half as scary as the ones from 70 years ago.

I also can't imagine anyone (or any type of animation) that make a wicked witch scarier than in the original.

You can kind of see some of the things you describe in the mini-series Tin Man like CGI flying monkeys and an ugly witch made of prosthetics. The characters and the story are all different so in some ways they work and in others they don't.

[BrianB]

29 August 2009 Los Angeles Times article:

On Sept. 23, NCM Fathom will present the classic film in a high-definition broadcast at more than 400 movie theaters across the country, including at least 21 in Southern California.

If you click here and enter your zip code in the upper right-hand window you can find if it's playing near you. I've already bought my ticket and I promise not to point out the hanging munchkin.
Brian

[Silas Sparkhammer]

Somehow, I never saw the movie on tv, although it was certainly aired year after year after year. I first saw it the way it was meant to be seen: in a theater, on a large (well, okay, kinda smallish, actually) "silver screen."

I saw the large birds in the back yard of the Tin Man's hut. Thought they looked odd and out of place, but I interpreted them as indicating that the place had run wild, since the Tin Man wasn't there to keep the place up.

I also spotted the beacons along the wall of the Emerald City, in the scene where the characters are negotiating for admittance. I thought it was hilarious, as the beacons indicated why the city seemed to "sparkle" from a distance. It isn't magical sparklingness: there are beacons on the walls!

The tornado was doggone scary. I've never seen one in real life -- and intend to avoid it if at all possible. I have seen a small waterspout once, out on the ocean off San Diego. I was on dry land at the time, and didn't want to go any closer at all. The tornado in the movie, I have read, was made up of loops of fabric, arranged to spin about. It certainly does well at mimicking the motions of real ones (as seen in news videos, etc.)

I never understood why Dorothy loved the Scarecrow most of all. Just 'cause she'd known him the longest? Granted, the Lion is pretty boorish, but, me, I liked the Tin Man more than the Scarecrow.

Silas (has an axe, and knows how to use it)

[CenTex]

Originally Posted by Silas Sparkhammer

I never understood why Dorothy loved the Scarecrow most of all. Just 'cause she'd known him the longest? Granted, the Lion is pretty boorish, but, me, I liked the Tin Man more than the Scarecrow.

Silas (has an axe, and knows how to use it)

I think it had to do with the fact that on the farm she was the closest to the "real life" person that was the scarecrow.

[DemonWolf]

Interesting that you should post this. My theater group is currently putting on this show. I was initially not going to try out, despite really wanting to be in the show (not enough time) but the cast is so desperate for Winkie Guards and Oz citizens, that I ended up being asked to help out.

BTW: If anyone has any interest in being a guard or an Ozian, let me know.

[Jenn]

Every single time, when Dorothy opens the door to the colourful land of Oz, the kids frantically call us into the room and insist that we stop whatever we're doing to come see because it's so magical. There are a lot of movies they like and watch over and over, but The Wizard of Oz is the only one that inspires that sort of reaction from them.

[Brad from Georgia]

I've just read Evan Schwartz's book Finding Oz, speculating about the influences in L. Frank Baum's life that he transformed into the materials of the Oz books. (He has a cool website, by the way.) I don't buy all the notions, but it's an interesting read! And he doesn't look down on the movie, but uses it to amplify his arguments. Refreshing.

[Insensible Crier]

Originally Posted by Silas Sparkhammer

I never understood why Dorothy loved the Scarecrow most of all. Just 'cause she'd known him the longest? Granted, the Lion is pretty boorish, but, me, I liked the Tin Man more than the Scarecrow.

Silas (has an axe, and knows how to use it)

From the Family Guy:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4m1MUdiemGU&NR=1

[Christie]

Originally Posted by Silas Sparkhammer

Somehow, I never saw the movie on tv, although it was certainly aired year after year after year. I first saw it the way it was meant to be seen: in a theater, on a large (well, okay, kinda smallish, actually) "silver screen."

I've never seen in on the "big screen" but did see it every single year when it aired on television - you can imagine the excitement in our house the first time we watched it on a colour television set and realised the horse of a different colour actually changes colour!

Does anyone else remember when crest (I think it was crest) was the sponsor and the wicked witch of the west flew around promoting tooth decay in the adverts?

[queen of the caramels]

My girls watched it earlier this year and were entranced by it. Though they didn't really understand the whole B&W/colour contrast at first.

[DawnStorm]

Originally Posted by jimmy101_again

I also can't imagine anyone (or any type of animation) that make a wicked witch scarier than in the original.

Tell me about it! That witch scared the daylights out of me when I was a kid.

[snopes]

Numerous myths and legends have sprouted over the last seven decades regarding MGM's production No. 1060 -- better known as the beloved musical fantasy "The Wizard of Oz" -- like the tall tale that the studio wanted to cast Shirley Temple, not Judy Garland, as Dorothy.

"That's one of those legends that have gotten so blown up," says "Oz" historian John Fricke. "The Temple thing . . . never entered the 'maybe' stage.'"

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/hero...-tuesday-.html

[Insensible Crier]

Originally Posted by DawnStorm

Tell me about it! That witch scared the daylights out of me when I was a kid.

Me too. That part that always freaked me out the worst was when she blows by and transforms from the lady on the bicycle to the witch on the broom during the twister scene.

[Venus]

I must be the only one in existence who hates that movie. Saw it for the first time when I was 7 or so and wound up falling asleep halfway through. All I can ever see when I watch it is the bad acting, bad costuming, and obvious background painting. Yeah yeah, I know, revolutionary for its time and all, just call me jaded by today's special effects technology. Now Wicked on the other hand... Found the book kinda dry at times, but the musical is Amazing.

[Embra]

When I was little, every time I watched the film I would think at the beginning, "Aww, I thought it was in colour!" (colour being an indication that a film was new enough to be enjoyable, and not one of those "boring" black and whites that showed on wet Saturday afternoons) and then be freshly amazed when Dorothy arrived in technicolor (is it technicolor?) Oz!

We showed it to my son this summer. He's only 2 and a bit, so I thought he would be scared by it, but he was absolutely rapt all the way through. He says "My like Vizmer Voz!"

[Horse Chestnut]

A friend and I went and saw the HD release in a local theatre last Wednesday. It was a packed house, and it was wonderful to see all the small details of the sets, costumes and make-up in eye-popping high-def Technicolor.

Everyone in the audience, adults and kids were totally wrapped up in the film, except during the scene where the apple trees fight with the scarecrow and Dorothy. After they made their escape a small voice exclaimed "That was SCARY!".

[Silas Sparkhammer]

Originally Posted by Venus

I must be the only one in existence who hates that movie. Saw it for the first time when I was 7 or so and wound up falling asleep halfway through. All I can ever see when I watch it is the bad acting, bad costuming, and obvious background painting. Yeah yeah, I know, revolutionary for its time and all, just call me jaded by today's special effects technology. Now Wicked on the other hand... Found the book kinda dry at times, but the musical is Amazing.

Grin! You're just a contrarian! I bet you don't like chocolate either!

For me, the book Wicked was marred by jumping over the most important part of Elpheba's life! There's a multi-year gap in the narrative, and during that time, she changes from perplexed to overtly evil. Would have been nice to have that vital bit of character development shown, not just handwaved...

And the musical? I haven't seen it, only listened to the sound-track, but I found it terribly dull. There wasn't a single memorable tune, the kind of melody you can walk along the side of the road whistling. It was all vast "showstopper" works, all kettledrums and cymbals and fanfares -- all crescendo, but no real music. The composer was trying way too hard to make it into an "event," and forgot to put together any melodies.

Wizard of Oz, no matter it's other faults, had a handful of real songs.

Silas (I'm also a terrible contrarian...but I do like chocolate!)

[Morgaine]

And the musical? I haven't seen it, only listened to the sound-track, but I found it terribly dull. There wasn't a single memorable tune, the kind of melody you can walk along the side of the road whistling. It was all vast "showstopper" works, all kettledrums and cymbals and fanfares -- all crescendo, but no real music. The composer was trying way too hard to make it into an "event," and forgot to put together any melodies.

I have to disagree dear Silas. After seeing the musical I walked around for weeks with 'Popular' or 'Defying Gravity' running through my head. Even today, over 2 years later, I find myself singing the beginning of 'What is this feeling?' every once in awhile. I found it very memorable & I enjoy listening to the soundtrack to this day.