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Judy Garland stars as Dorothy in a musical based on
the classic children's book by L. Frank Baum.
When Dorothy's neighbor, Miss Gulch,
threatens to take away Dorothy's precious dog, Toto,
Dorothy runs away from home. Attempting to return, she
and her house are caught in a twister and blown to the
garish, color-saturated Land of Oz. The house lands atop
Oz's Wicked Witch of the East, killing her and making
Dorothy an instant celebrity. The Wicked Witch of the
West, the sister of the deceased witch, soon arrives and
threatens revenge. Dorothy must escape from Oz by
following the Yellow Brick Road to the Emerald City,
where the great Wizard of Oz can help her return to
Kansas. Along the way, Dorothy picks up some new
friends--the heartless Tin Man, the brainless Scarecrow,
and the courage-less Cowardly Lion, each of whom hopes
that the Wizard can offer him what he lacks. The long
journey to see the Wizard is filled with dangers and
traps planted by the Wicked Witch of the West--as well
as lots of phenomenal musical numbers. Filled with
extravagant sets and costumes and 40 minutes of
rambunctious song and dance routines, Dorothy's
adventures in Oz are pure delight. The film deservedly
holds a precious place in the hearts of millions.
Young Dorothy is bored of her gray life on a Kansas
farm. When her house is whisked away by a tornado, it
lands somewhere over the rainbow in a Technicolor world,
and Dorothy knows she's not in Kansas anymore. This
beloved, incomparable classic based on L. Frank Baum's
turn-of-the-century novel is a musical and visual candy
store. Dorothy's journey to find a way back to Kansas
has permeated American culture and film for decades and
remains one of the best musicals and children's stories
ever filmed.
THE WIZARD OF OZ held its premiere at
Grauman's Chinese Theater on August 15, 1939.
THE WIZARD OF OZ is number six on the American Film
Institute's list of America's 100 Greatest Movies.
THE WIZARD OF OZ was an original selection to the
Library of Congress National Film Registry in 1989.
MGM acquired the film rights to the L. Frank Baum story
for $75,000, a huge amount at the time.
Some of the original casting desires included either W.
C. Fields or Ed Wynn as the Wizard; Fanny Brice or
Beatrice Lillie as Glinda, the Good Witch; Gale
Sondergaard as the Wicked Witch; and Shirley Temple as
Dorothy. After Ray Bolger asked to play the Scarecrow
instead of the Tin Man, Buddy Ebsen was cast as the Tin
Man but was replaced after nine days of filming by Jack
Haley because of breathing problems he suffered at the
hands of his costume.
The picture went through a number of directors: Richard
Thorpe, whose nine days of footage were not used; George
Cukor; Victor Fleming, who directed most of the color
scenes before having to leave to direct GONE WITH THE
WIND; and King Vidor, who directed most of the
black-and-white scenes set in Kansas.
Shooting of what was known as Production 1060 was to
begin on April 19, 1938, but actually began on October
13, 1938, and lasted until March 16, 1939. The film went
well over budget, costing more than $2.75 million. It
took in only about $3 million on its initial release.
Judy Garland was paid $500 a week for the film.
Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion costume weighed more than 50
pounds.
The Munchkin coroner, played by Meinhardt Raabe, was
also Little Oscar, Oscar Mayer's official spokesman in
commercials.
Jerry Maren, one of the Munchkin Lollipop Guild singers,
continued his career in show business, which included
stints in more than 60 films as well as appearances on
THE MAN SHOW and SEINFELD.
UNDER THE RAINBOW, a 1981 comedy spoofing the
behind-the-scenes making of THE WIZARD OF OZ, starred
Chevy Chase and Carrie Fisher!! |
- Attractive Retail Box
- Genre:
Musical & Performing Arts, Musicals, Adventure,
Friends, Childrens, Classic, Fantasy, Kids Adventure,
Witches And Wizards, Jewels, Recommended, Family Film
- Rating:
G (Canadian Home Video Rating)
- Starring:
Clara Blandick, Ray Bolger, Billie Burke, Judy
Garland, Charles Grapewin, Frances Gumm, Jack Haley,
Margaret Hamilton, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Pat Walshe
- Directed By: Victor
Fleming, King Vidor
- Release Information:
- Studio: Warner Home Video
- Theatrical Release Date: August 25, 1939
- DVD Release Date: September 14, 2004
- Run Time: 101 minutes
- Production Company: Warner Home
Video
- Package Type: Keep Case
- Digitally Remastered for Superior Picture Quality
and True Stereo Sound!
- Color and Black & White
- The Story is based on a Book Series by L. Frank
Baum
- The Wizard Of Oz was Judged The Best Family
Film of All Time by the American Film Institute
- Dual-Layer Format
- DVD Features:
- Encoding:
Region 1 (U.S. and Canada only).
This DVD will probably NOT be viewable in other
countries.
- Aspect Ratio(s):
- Full Screen (Standard) - 1.33:1
- Available Audio Tracks:
-
English (Dolby Digital 5.1 Surround)
- French (Dolby Digital Mono)
- Languages:
English and French
- Available Subtitles: English and French
-
Closed Captioned:
Yes
- Bonus Features:
-
Behind-the-Scenes Documentary - The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic,"
Hosted by Angela Lansbury
- Vintage Movie and Cartoon Clips
- Theatrical Trailers
- Two (2) English Soundtracks: Dolby Surround 5.1
and Original Mono
- Outtake Musical Numbers
- Newsreel Excerpts
- Cast Interviews
- Shooting Script
- Extensive Audio Program of Original Recording
Session Material and Radio Broadcasts
- Interactive Features:
- Scene Access
-
Interactive Menus
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