On August 25, 1939, one of the greatest fantasy films ever produced populated theaters: "The Wizard of Oz".
Based on the beloved fable by L. Frank Baum, adapted by Edgar Allan Woolf, Florence Ryerson and Noel Langley; directed by Victor "Gone with the Wind" Fleming (with additional footage by Richard Thorpe and King Vidor), and produced by the legendary Mervyn LeRoy, "Wizard of Oz" wasn't the immediate, box-office blockbuster that many presume. It did, however, make its inevitable, iconic mark on the public consciousness through theatrical re-releases and televised repeats.
Its astonishing cast is synonymous with is acclaimed status, which includes Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale; Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow; Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion; Jack Haley as the Tin Man; Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch of the West; and Frank Morgan as the "great and powerful" Oz, ersatz Professor Marvel. There's also adorable Toto, played by a little Scotty named Terry; and a rambunctious legion of mirthful Munchkins, for whom a tasty Dunkin' Donuts treat was named.
Harold Rooson's cinematography is exquisite, seamlessly switching from black-and-white Kansas to the Technicolor, emerald Land of Oz. Arnold Gillespie's special effects mesh perfectly with varying shades (case in point, those cute yet frightening, flying monkeys). Herbert Stothart, Harold Arlen and Yip Harburg's music and lyrics grant a beautiful batch of memorable tracks, with "Over the Rainbow" leading the melodious charge.
On every level, "Wizard of Oz" is the perfect blueprint for avant-garde fun. It injects guts with glee (including witchy death, no less--oh my): a reverie of fear, courage, danger and joy, sparked by unforgettable dialogue that demands eternal quoting.
Pull your copy from the shelf; buy or rent one if you so choose. No matter how it's spun, "Wizard of Oz" remains one of the best and most enduring, euphoric classics in cinema history.
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