The Wizard of Oz

The Wizard of Oz
MGM · Public domain · source
Name	The Wizard of Oz
Director	Victor Fleming
Producer	Mervyn LeRoy
Writer	L. Frank Baum Noel Langley Florence Ryerson Edgar Allan Woolf

The Wizard of Oz is a classic American musical fantasy film produced by Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer and released in 1939, starring Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, and Jack Haley as the Tin Man. The film is based on the 1900 novel of the same name by L. Frank Baum, which was illustrated by W.W. Denslow and published by George M. Hill Company. The movie features iconic songs by Harold Arlen and E.Y. Harburg, including Over the Rainbow, which won the Academy Award for Best Original Song in 1940, presented at the 12th Academy Awards.

Background

The production of The Wizard of Oz involved several notable film directors, including King Vidor and George Cukor, who contributed to the development of the film before Victor Fleming took over as the primary director. The movie was filmed at MGM Studios in Culver City, California, with additional scenes shot on location in Arizona and California. The film's special effects were created by A. Arnold Gillespie and Douglas Shearer, who used innovative techniques, such as matte painting and rear projection, to bring the Land of Oz to life. The movie's costume design was handled by Adrian, who created the iconic ruby slippers worn by Judy Garland.

Plot

The story follows Dorothy Gale, a young girl from Kansas who lives on a farm with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. After a tornado strikes, Dorothy and her dog Toto are transported to the Land of Oz, where they meet the Good Witch of the North, Glinda the Good Witch. Dorothy embarks on a journey along the Yellow Brick Road to find the Wizard of Oz, who she hopes can help her return home. Along the way, she meets the Scarecrow, the Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, who join her on her quest and seek to fulfill their own desires, such as gaining a brain, a heart, and courage. The group faces obstacles, including the Wicked Witch of the West, who seeks to stop them from reaching the Emerald City.

Characters

The characters in The Wizard of Oz are iconic and have become deeply ingrained in popular culture. Dorothy Gale is the protagonist, a young girl from Kansas who embodies innocence and determination. The Scarecrow is a gentle and kind character who seeks to gain a brain, while the Tin Man is a hollow man made of tin who desires a heart. The Cowardly Lion is a fearful but ultimately brave character who seeks to find courage. The Wicked Witch of the West is the primary antagonist, a evil witch who seeks to destroy Dorothy and her friends. Other notable characters include Glinda the Good Witch, the Wizard of Oz, and Aunt Em and Uncle Henry, Dorothy's relatives.

Adaptations

The Wizard of Oz has been adapted into numerous forms of media, including stage productions, such as the Broadway musical The Wiz, which was produced by Universal Pictures and starred Diana Ross as Dorothy and Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow. The movie has also been adapted into animated films, such as The Wizard of Oz, produced by Toei Animation and released in Japan. Additionally, the story has been adapted into video games, such as The Wizard of Oz, developed by Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment and released for the Nintendo DS.

Reception

The Wizard of Oz was a critical and commercial success upon its release, earning Academy Award nominations for Best Picture and Best Cinematography, presented at the 12th Academy Awards. The film received positive reviews from critics, including Frank S. Nugent of The New York Times, who praised the movie's special effects and musical numbers. The movie has since become a beloved classic, ranking high on lists of the greatest films of all time, including the American Film Institute's 100 Greatest American Movies and the Library of Congress's National Film Registry.

Legacy

The Wizard of Oz has had a profound impact on popular culture, influencing numerous films, television shows, and stage productions. The movie's iconic ruby slippers have become a symbol of Hollywood and are on display at the Smithsonian National Museum of American History. The film's musical numbers, including Over the Rainbow and We're Off to See the Wizard, have become standards of the Great American Songbook. The movie has also been referenced and parodied in numerous works, including The Simpsons, Saturday Night Live, and The Muppets. The Wizard of Oz continues to be celebrated and enjoyed by audiences around the world, with Warner Bros. releasing a restored version of the film in 2009 to commemorate its 70th anniversary. Category:Classic films