Dorothy Gale is swept away from a farm in Kansas to a magical land of Oz in a tornado and embarks on a quest with her new friends to see the Wizard who can help her return home to Kansas and help her friends as well.
The most-watched motion picture in history, “The Wizard of Oz” remains classic and enduring – exceedingly popular in its day and perhaps even more revered now. Growing up, I remember eagerly awaiting the annual event on television. In the age of color TV, the announcer felt compelled to instruct audiences that the initial scenes would appear in black and white – as if to warn we should not worry the TV screen might be broken. Yet one of the most memorable aspects of the production is the contrast between black-and-white Kansas and colorful Oz.
The year 1939 constitutes a watershed for Hollywood moviemaking. In addition to “The Wizard of Oz,” other landmark films nominated for Best Picture included “Mr. Smith Goes to Washington,” “Of Mice and Men,” “Stagecoach,” and the eventual winner, “Gone with the Wind.”
Rich and relevant allegory abounds. L. Frank Baum’s story published in 1900 and set around the beginning of the 20th century provides a metaphor for the politics of the era. Although expertly camouflaged, the analogies peek through nonetheless.
As cities in the still-young nation grew, a divide opened between the agrarian classes on the one hand, and urban dwellers – particularly in the northern Midwest and along the eastern seaboard – on the other. The banking industry’s adherence to the gold standard instead of the more malleable money system based on silver preferred by farmers demonstrated this rift in stark terms. For example, the Land of Oz refers to the abbreviation for ounces, the unit of measure for gold and silver. Then, as now, Emerald City, awash in green may represent Washington, DC. The raging twister that transports Dorothy to Oz suggests political revolution that could ultimately morph the drab Midwest into gleaming Technicolor and great prosperity.
In a seminal role that would define her career, Judy Garland portrays an innocent Kansas girl named Dorothy, who feels somehow out of touch with the always-busy adults around her. Her naiveté has been compared to that of the American people of the time, caught in the crosshairs of the transition from an agrarian society to one centered on the ever-expanding manufacturing sector. The Wicked Witch of the West played by the marvelous Margaret Hamilton – who despite her chilling persona on the big screen – often exuded charm and wit in other roles and during subsequent television interviews years afterward. As an interesting side note, producers reduced Hamilton’s screen time because, in early previews, terrified children were literally carried out of the theater.
No doubt, many of the central players will ring familiar. In particular, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, and of course, Frank Morgan as the eponymous Wizard and Professor Marvel (among other roles).
Oscar-winning music (Best Song, Original Score) arguably constitute the highlight of this magnificent production. The timeless “Over the Rainbow,” combined with several snappy numbers carry the narrative forward confidently.
Loaded with special features that include commentary by key cast members, this fine package will delight aficionados by providing interesting backstories to the elaborate development of a truly epic motion picture. It’s worth noting that the director, Victor Fleming, also helmed “Gone with the Wind” that same year, for which he won the Best Director Academy Award. Yet “The Wizard of Oz” more fully stands the test of time in the pantheon of great films, consistently rewarding repeated viewings by young and old alike. A joy to behold and not to be missed.
Available on 4K Ultra HD Blu-ray & Digital October 29th
