The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Movies don’t get much more magical than The Wizard of Oz. It’s been referenced and parodied endlessly. You’ve probably seen it dozens of times playing on TV. You know its iconic scenes by heart, but that doesn’t matter. Even decades later, the wonder has not diminished one bit.
Running away from her home after her cruel neighbor threatens her dog Toto, young Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland) is whisked away by a tornado to the magical land of Oz. Meeting up with a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr), the newfound friends set off for the Emerald City, where the Wizard of Oz will grant them their fondest desires.
There’s a lot you could say about The Wizard of Oz on a technical level. The beautiful matte paintings, the costumes, the makeup, the dance choreography, the brilliant use of color contrasting the sepia-tone photography, the sheer imagination present... but dissecting the film, separating each element that works just feels wrong. When you watch this film, it’s as a whole. Every element, on-camera and off, work in such perfect unison that no single element is "the best". You can’t separate the heartfelt and sweet performance of Over the Rainbow from Judy Garland anymore than you can think about the Scarecrow without his introductory song. You may have a favorite scene, or a favorite character, but if your favorite is the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), I say you’re forgetting about the Cowardly Lion. Can't you just immediately picture the makeup effects that bring the character to life? Didn't his iconic speech pattern just pop into your head? Don’t you want to imitate it out loud? “Currage! Hrammph!” It’s a film that’s easy to surrender to. You fall in love with everything about it.
This is a sweet story with universal appeal and endless rewatch value. As a kid, you’re drawn in by Dorothy; so sweet and innocent with her little dog. As an adult, it’s a trip down memory lane to simpler times. You marvel at the technical prowess of the filmmakers and learn to truly appreciate the quality of the songs found throughout. Be careful or you’ll find yourself singing, or even dancing along with the colorful citizens of this strange world. That’s when you’re not laughing or holding back tears. There’s a certain quality about great children’s films that make them cut deeper than the deepest dramas and bring forth the biggest laughs. Dorothy may have come from Kansas, she may have grown up in a place that seems so very far away by today’s standards, but that distance is nonexistent when you’re watching.
I’d wager that a lot of people will tell you that this was the very first film they saw. It's a thought that fills me with joy. This is one of those musicals even people who don't like musicals will make an exception for. It’s a torrent of smiles flowing from the screen. The Wizard of Oz is movie magic. (On Blu-ray, September 30, 2017)
