The Wizard of Oz
Directed by Victor Fleming
Written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, and Edgar Allan Woolf based on the book by L. Frank Baum
1939/USA
Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Repeat viewing/Warner DVD
#202 of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Wizard of Oz: A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.[/box]
Not only should one see this movie before one dies, but preferably before the age of 10. This is more than a movie to me, it is part of my life. Watching it yesterday brought back all the times I had seen it before – from my childhood on our black and white TV, to re-releases in the theater, to so many times on video and DVD.
As I sat watching it again, I began marvelling at how anything could be so perfect. What happy accidents had to occur to bring these particular creative artists and craftspeople together on the same project to achieve this result. Wonderful.
The only bone I have ever had to pick with this film has to do with the quote above. It always seemed to me that it should be other way around – that a heart is judged by how much it loves. But maybe that depends on who is doing the judging?
The Wizard of Oz won Academy Awards for Best Original Song (“Somewhere Over the Rainbow”) and Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart). It was also nominated in the categories of Best Picture, Best Color Cinematography, Best Art Direction, and Best Special Effects. Judy Garland won the Juvenile Award for 1939 for her “outstanding performance as a screen juvenile”.
Trailer
We all have this one memorized.
We do!
You are right about the quote. Odd, isn’t it?
To me The Wizard of Oz will always be about the music. The entire soundtrack is worldwide cultural heritage.
Agreed. Although he is not as well known as a Berlin, Porter or Gershwin, Harold Arlen wrote a large number of timeless classics, including all the songs in this movie. I really love the music (and the clever lyrics) in this.
It is one of a kind and never gets tale no matter how many times you watch it.
I think I meant “stale” in the above comment!!!!
I saw the ruby slippers at the Smithsonian several years ago. I guess they are still there although I imagine that there were several pair used for the film.
I’m rather envious of anyone who first watched this as a child, as it must have been a fantastic experience! Still like it a lot, though.
It was a great experience! Scary though …
One of those “stumbled over this and thought of you liking it straight away” posts, placed here because, well, it’s a damn good fit
https://ridingwiththetopdown.wordpress.com/2011/06/15/best-movie-lines/
Thanks! Didn’t get some of the newer references. Can’t imagine why I didn’t see “Toto, I don’t think we’re in Kansas anymore.”
I was the opposite…”Ah ‘Toto’, know that one”