Who would have thought that the Judy Garland classic Wizard of Oz has officially turned 85 years of age in the year 2024. This was one of the many movies my parents loved and cherished. More importantly was another one of the many movies that I watched as a kid growing up probably watched a bunch of times on a VHS taped from TV back in the good old days. And yet one of those films that I always liked the side characters more like I always thought Scarecrow, Lion were cool but more importantly the Tin Man was awesome was because he was caring an axe, and like any other young kid growing up a guy with a weapon was cool. Granted it's been ages since I watched the film and when it was playing at a local IMAX near me, I figured why not go to this movie with my parents. And guys, if you’re ever living next door to an actual grumpy old lady who’s threatening to take your dog away you officially threaten her to never go over your property because all bets are off at this point.
When a tornado rips through Kansas, Dorothy (Judy Garland) and her dog Toto, are whisked away to the magical land of Oz. They follow the Yellow Brick Road toward the Emerald City to meet the Wizard, and en route they meet a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger) that needs a brain, a Tin Man (Jack Haley) missing a heart, and a cowardly Lion (Bret Lahr) who wants courage. The wizard asks the group to bring him the broom of the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) to earn his help.
The shocking fact about how the Wizard of Oz came about and surprisingly of all people in the world to say "hey these are a thing" is Walt Disney himself after the release of Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs furthermore showed to the people of Hollywood that stories from children's books and fairytales can be successful on the big screen. The Wizard of Oz is infamous in the interesting fact is that it went through a grand total of five directors and really Victor Fleming was at the center of all the madness during production of 1938, for many reasons he was directing both Gone with the Wind and Wizard of Oz at the same time, now I don't know a whole lot of the details because browsing through the research even I was like "no f**king way" and just so everyone knows the man did get a best director win for Gone with the Wind although I kind of think that man should at least be given two best director Oscars for his ability to bring both of these films to life. I think in all fairness yes, this should never happen but to make as long a story as short as possible I think MGM was dealing with a lot of blowbacks in terms of bringing each of those films to life. Now there are many things I've learned in terms of using technicolor for the film was a bit daunting and yet when you look at this film compared to the making of Star Wars in 1977 you'll so find that George Lucas's panic attacks were a bit childish compare the monstrosity that was the making of Wizard of Oz and I'm going to leave it at that because it just seems to horrifying and so miserable to explain on movie reviews. Though a bit of fun fact the many exits or entrances for Margaret Hamilton's character, had an elevator exit so when she's leaving, she's secretly being lowered down with smoke or any special effects to disguise the elevator. You may find this sad to believe but this movie and Meet me in St. Louis are the only two Judy Garland films I've seen in my entire life, and I know she's made other movies I guess in my honest opinion I feel like if I see other films it would probably spoil the magic of those two films but now that I'm getting to that age I should now in the year 2025 I need to check all of her films out. For a movie that's stood the test of time especially in its 85 year of birth or release I most certainty recommend watching the Wizard of Oz on the Holiday season and I'm not going to any of the details of what makes this film great because deep down we all know this film is amazing to watch from start to finish and Margaret Hamilton is an excellent antagonist to Judy Garland though she was so fantastic and reminded me of other meaner neighbors I remember growing up, but more importantly she was type-casted through her entire film career as well as giving all the children nightmares and yet it took Mr. Rogers to appear on his show and show that she's a kind gentle woman which really of all the actors in the movie Hamilton deserves all the credit in the world in bringing the Wicked Witch to life. And I'm not kidding when I say that all should be watching the Wizard of Oz because it's memorable as well as it has those memorable musical sequences and also it's one of those memorable films where you really don't make anymore because the about of little people I see in the movie I begin to question of those were real little people or just kids but bottom line you never see these great sets and visual effects that they we're trying to bring to life especially in the late thirties into the early forties. Also, this is one of the many films I can choose in my own right to watch from start to finish and I don't need to watch Sam Rami's Wizard of Oz film that has nothing to do with the original film nor feel the need to watch the latest Oz film aka Wicked because I really don't need to understand the back story of the Good Witch and the Wicked Witch because for me it's always best to never understand each characters backstory especially a classic film like the Wizard of Oz. Now, if you’re that person who loves the Wicked stage production I'd say go nuts and do what you feel you love in doing me, I'm going to stand by my own choice of films and just sit down and watch the one true classic film that doesn't need to be remade.
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