The Wizard of Oz Movie Review 1939

From the book by L. Frank Baum. Fantasy about a Kansas farm girl (Garland, in her immortal role) who rides a tornado to a brightly colored world over the rainbow, full of talking scarecrows, munchkins and a wizard who bears a strange resemblance to a Kansas fortune-teller. She must outwit the Wicked Witch if she is ever to go home. Delightful performances from Lahr, Bolger, and Hamilton; King Vidor is uncredited as co-director. Director Fleming originally wanted Deanna Durbin or Shirley Temple for the role of Dorothy, but settled for Garland who made the song "Over the Rainbow" her own. She received a special Academy Award for her performance. For the 50th anniversary of its release, "The Wizard of Oz" was restored and includes rare film clips of Bolger's "Scarecrow Dance" and the cut "Jitterbug" number, and shots by Buddy Ebsen as the Tin Man before he became ill and left the production. Another special release of the film, "The Ultimate Oz," contains a documentary on the making of the film, a reproduction of the original script, still photos, and liner notes.

Distribution

Music for Little People, Box 1460, Redway, CA 95560, Phone: (707)923-3991, Toll-free: 800-409-2457, Fax: (707)923-3241, Email: customerservice@musicforlittlepeople.com, URL: http://www.musicforlittlepeople.com/

Available on VHS, DVD
Running time 101 minutes.

Cast and Crew

Genres

Musical Fantasy, Witchcraft, Road Trip, Occult, King of Beasts (Dogs), Great Death Scenes, Trees & Forests, B/W & Color Combos, MGM Musicals, Top Grossing Films of 1939, Twister!, Ballooning, Aunts & Uncles, Nieces & Nephews, Little People, Family Ties, 4 Bones

Screenplay

Noel Langley

Cast

Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Charley Grapewin, Clara Blandick, Mitchell Lewis, Billie Burke

Cinematography

Harold Rosson

Director

Victor Fleming

Music

Herbert Stothart

Producer

MGM

Awards

Oscars 1939: Song ("Over the Rainbow"), Orig. Score; AFI 1998: Top 100, Natl. Film Reg. 1989.