The Wizard of Oz (1939) | |
| Director(s) | Victor Fleming, Mervyn LeRoy (uncredited), King Vidor (uncredited) |
| Producer(s) | Mervyn LeRoy, Arthur Freed (associate uncredited) |
| Top Genres | Adventure, Drama, Family, Fantasy, Musical |
| Top Topics | Book-Based, Exotic Lands |
Featured Cast:
The Wizard of Oz Overview:
The Wizard of Oz (1939) was a Adventure - Family Film directed by King Vidor and Mervyn LeRoy and produced by Mervyn LeRoy and Arthur Freed.
The film was based on the novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and also Musical written by L. Frank Baum published in 1900 (novel); Jan 20, 1903 - Oct 3, 1903 (play performed at Majestic Theatre, NY).
SYNOPSIS
Treasured by millions with each new screening, this colorful musical fantasy defines for many the greatest achievements of Hollywood's classic period. MGM put every resource into the production, from dazzling Technicolor (an early use of the three-strip process; the colors astonished audiences of the day), marvelous songs from Arlen and Harburg that would become standards, a star-making performance from Garland (actually the studio's third choice for the role), and the thousands of studio artisans who created hundreds of costumes and 70 sets for an ambitious, months-long production led by three of the studio's most-trusted directors (and early sequences, not in the final cut, by Richard Thorpe). The result follows a Kansas farm girl (Garland) who escapes her black-and-white life and Hamilton's threat to do away with her beloved dog, Toto, to a Technicolor world that lies over the rainbow. After becoming the hero of Munchkin Land, Garland and Toto link arms with Bolger, Haley, and Lahr (the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion) to place each of their desires in front of the fabled Wizard, desires that they learn are really always within their reach. One of the classics that rewards each viewing. The special 50th anniversary video edition includes 17 minutes of extra footage, including Ray Bolger's scarecrow dance and the rehearsal and sound track from the jitterbug dance, both of which were edited out of the film; Buddy Ebsen (the initial Tin Man) performing "If I Only Had a Heart"; Judy Garland receiving her Oscar; the original theatrical promotional trailer; and a 32-page souvenir booklet.
(Source: available at Amazon AMC Classic Movie Companion).
.The Wizard of Oz was inducted into the National Film Registry in 1989.
Academy Awards 1939 --- Ceremony Number 12 (source: AMPAS)
| Award | Recipient | Result |
| Best Art Direction | Cedric Gibbons, William A. Horning | Nominated |
| Best Cinematography | Hal Rosson | Nominated |
| Best Music - Scoring | Herbert Stothart | Won |
| Best Music - Song | Music by Harold Arlen; Lyrics by E. Y. Harburg | Won |
| Best Picture | Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer | Nominated |
BlogHub Articles:
Cinemallennials: The Wizard of Oz (1939)?
By Dave Lewis on Jul 27, 2021 From Classic Movie Hub BlogCinemallennials: The Wizard of Oz (1939) For those of you who are unfamiliar with Cinemallennials, it is a bi-weekly podcast in which I, and another millennial, watch a classic film that we?ve never seen before, and discuss its significance and relevance in today?s world. In this epi... Read full article
Silver Screen Standards: The Wizard of Oz (1939)
By Jennifer Garlen on Jul 8, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub BlogFor the very first post of a column called ?Silver Screen Standards,? I can?t think of a better choice than The Wizard of Oz (1939), a film that continues to delight and amaze viewers of all ages eighty years after its original release. People often ask me to name my favorite movie, a request I find... Read full article
Book Review: “The Wizard of OZ FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According To Oz”
By Stephen Reginald on Jan 19, 2019 From Classic Movie ManBook Review: “The Wizard of OZ FAQ: All That’s Left To Know About Life According To Oz” Just when you thought you knew everything there was to know about The Wizard of Oz, here’s a book to inform you how little you actually do know about the classic film. Released durin... Read full article
Win Tickets to see ?TCM Big Screen Classics: The Wizard of Oz 80th Anniversary? (Giveaway runs now through Jan 13)
By Annmarie Gatti on Jan 8, 2019 From Classic Movie Hub BlogWin tickets to see ?The Wizard of Oz? on the big screen! In Select Cinemas Nationwide Sun Jan 27, Tues Jan 29, Wed Jan 30 ?Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.? CMH continues into our?4th year of our partnership with Fathom Events?- with the?1st?of our 14 movie ticket givea... Read full article
Silent Sunday – The Wizard of Oz (1925)
By Michael on Jan 7, 2018 From Durnmoose Movie MusingsSince Sunday tends to be a day of quiet and reflection for many people, it seems an appropriate day to celebrate silent movies. But in keeping with the “day of rest” theme, I’m just going to post this without any commentary and just sit back and let you enjoy.... Read full article
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Quotes from
Dorothy: I'm not afraid of her.
Zeke: Well then, next time she squawks, walk right up to her and spit in her eye. That's what I'd do.
Glinda, the Good Witch of the North: Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?
Dorothy: I'm not a witch at all. I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas.
Glinda, the Good Witch of the North: Oh. Well, is that the witch?
Dorothy: Who, Toto? Toto's my dog!
Scarecrow: I'm not afraid of her! I'll see you get safely to the Wizard now, whether I get a brain or not. Stuff a mattress with me. Ha!
Tin Woodsman: I'll see you reach the Wizard, whether I get a heart or not. Beehive, bah! Let her try and make a beehive out of me!
Dorothy: Oh, you're the best friends anybody ever had. And it's funny, but I feel as if I'd known you all the time, but I couldn't have, could I?
Scarecrow: I don't see how. You weren't around when I was stuffed and sewn together, were you?
Tin Woodsman: And I was standing over there, rusting for the longest time.
Dorothy: Still, I wish I could remember, but I guess it doesn't matter anyway. We know each other now, don't we?
Scarecrow: That's right.
Tin Woodsman: We do.
Scarecrow: To Oz?
Tin Woodsman: To Oz.
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Facts about
There are many alleged lyrics to the "Winkie Chant" performed by the Witch's guards, including "All we own, we owe her", "Oh we love the old one", and "Oh we loathe the old one". However, the correct version, seen in the film's screenplay, is "O-Ee-Yah! Eoh-Ah!" and any other interpretations are simply the result of the listener's mind treating the chant as an audio ink blot.
Fred Stone, who played the Scarecrow in the 1902 stage musical of "The Wizard of Oz", was briefly considered for the role in the movie. However, at age 65 in 1938 he was physically not up to the demands of the role.
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