The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Written: Dec 03 '99 (Updated Dec 06 '99)
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Product Rating:
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Pros: costumes, sets, score, humor
Cons: surreal Munchkins, continuity
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| BrianKoller's Full Review: Archived Movie Reviews |
One of the most famous movies of all time, "The Wizard of Oz" has been beloved by generations. It is a film that can be enjoyed by all ages. Baby boomers in particular are fond of it, with its annual television showings having been a household ritual across the U.S.
The story begins with young Dorothy (Judy Garland) in Kansas. She lives on a bleak farm, and is raised by her Auntie Em (Clara Blandick) and Uncle Henry (Charley Grapewin). A tornado is coming. The rest of the family is in a storm shelter, but Dorothy and her dog Toto remain in the house. It is swept up by the dark funnel. The house finally lands in Munchkinland, on top of the wicked witch of the East. Dorothy, however, defies Newton's laws of motion and is unharmed. The formerly muddy B & W cinematography becomes a rich technicolor.
Dorothy is given a heroine's welcome by the Munchkins, having killed the wicked witch. She is given ruby slippers by Glinda (Billie Burke), the Good Witch of the North. She is sent off to Emerald City to see the Wizard of Oz, as he is the only man who knows how to send her back home to Kansas. Along the way she meets a scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a tin man (Jack Haley) and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) who accompany her on the journey. They finally meet the imperious wizard, but he asks a small service before fulfilling their wishes. He wants the broomstick of the wicked witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton), who has already had several nasty encounters with Dorothy.
"The Wizard of Oz" was originally a children's novel written by L. Frank Baum. Silent versions were previously filmed in 1910 and 1925. Four directors worked on the project, including King Vidor and George Cukor. But Victor Fleming was the one given screen credit, as he would be for an even larger film from 1939, "Gone With the Wind". It was Cukor's idea to shelve the wig and makeup designed to make Garland look younger. Her co-stars suffered worse. Haley could not bend in the tin man costume. The aluminum paste facial makeup caused an allergic reaction for Buddy Ebsen (of "Beverly Hillbillies" fame) forcing him out of the role. The cowardly lion costume was very heavy. His tail was operated remotely with a fishing rod. The stunts and special effects also took their toll on the crew. Hamilton was seriously burned; poor Toto was accidentally stepped on.
It's a very good movie. The costumes and sets are spectacular. The characters are all well defined. The story is very entertaining. There's humor, action, songs, and dramatic tension. I especially like the bombastic presentation of the Wizard, and the ill-tempered tree who throws apples at the scarecrow.
But I don't think that "The Wizard of Oz" is an outstanding movie. Taking off the nostalgic rose-colored glasses, and seeing the film as if for the first time, changes one's perspective.
The initial black and white photography is an odd mixture of earth tones. Perhaps this is to sharpen the contrast between Kansas and Oz. Dorothy falls in a pigpen, but doesn't get muddy. Margaret Hamilton as the sadistic wicked witch gives about the campiest performance I've ever seen. The Munchkins, their costumes, and their songs are just bizarre. I can handle the roly-poly bigwigs pronouncing the witch dead. But the Lullaby League and the Lollipop Guild, with the patently dubbed helium-induced voices; it's just too much.
The Tin Man hardens like cement when it rains. A dusting of snow quickly counteracts sleep-inducing poppies. Dorothy's life is held by an hourglass, but not if she leaves the room? She can't take the slippers off her feet, ever? She can go home just by clicking her heels? More importantly, the early scenes in Emerald City, before the troupe is presented to the Wizard, are considerably weaker than the rest of the film.
But while it doesn't quite hold up under close inspection, there's no denying the immense entertainment value of "The Wizard of Oz". The film was nominated for six Academy Awards, including Best Picture. It won two Oscars, for Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart) and Best Song ("Over the Rainbow", arrangement by Harold Arlen). (71/100)
Recommended:
No
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BrianKoller
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Member: Brian Koller
Location: Plano, Texas
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