Wizard of Oz - A Movie Review

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"Wizard of Oz" is a musical fantasy film released in 1939. The screenplay was written by Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson and Edgar Allen Woolf based on the 1900 children's book, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum. Even though it is now known as "one of the greatest films in cinema history", it failed to make a profit until its re-release in 1949. It was MGM's most expensive production at $2.8 million. The movie was nominated for six Academy Awards and won for Best Original Song, "Over the Rainbow", and Best Original Score (Herbert Stothart). "Wizard of Oz" is filmed in black-and-white until Dorothy lands in the Land of Oz at which time it switches to full color. CAST Judy Garland - Dorothy Gale Frank Morgan - Professor Marvel/The Wizard of Oz/Emerald City Doorman/ The Cabby/Emerald City Guard/The Wizard of Oz Angry Face Projection Ray Bolger - "Hunk" - Scarecrow Jack Haley - "Hickory" - Tin Man Bert Lahr - "Zeke" - Cowardly Lion Billie Burke - Glinda Margaret Hamilton - Miss Almira Gulch/The Wicked Witch of the West Clara Blandick - Auntie Em Charley Grapewin - Uncle Henry Pat Walshe - Winged Monkey King Terry - Toto Dorothy Gale lives with her Aunt Em, Uncle Henry and her dog, Toto, on a farm in Kansas. Toto bites Miss Almira Gulch. She gets an order from the sheriff for Toto to be euthanized and then takes him away on her bicycle. He escapes and runs home to Dorothy; and she decides to run away. She meets kindly Professor Marvel along the way. He's a fortune teller that uses his crystal ball to convince Dorothy that Aunt Em may be dying of a broken heart since she left. Dorothy runs home; but a tornado strikes just as she gets there. She runs for the farm's storm cellar; but it's already locked; and no one can hear her over the howl of the wind. She runs for shelter in her bedroom. Suddenly some debris hits her on the head and knocks her unconscious; and the house starts spinning around in the air. She wakes up in time to see Miss Gulch on her bicycle which changes to a witch on a broomstick. The house lands in Munchkinland in the Land of Oz. Everything has changed from black-and-white to color. My goodness, what a glorious movie this is. Young or old you will enjoy it. The scenery, the costumes, the music...all combine to make this a worthwhile film to watch. There are many reasons why this movie was dubbed "one of the greatest films in cinema history". This would be a perfect addition to your DVD or Blu-ray collection. I highly recommend it. This movie is Rated PG. Photo Credit: Pixabay