Posted on 08/15/2019 7:02:29 AM PDT by 4Runner
The script scoffs at the idea that power and prosperity come to those who merit them, even when it is dealing with Dorothy herself. She kills one Wicked Witch by crash-landing a house on her, and kills another (Margaret Hamilton) by splashing her with water. In both cases, the killings are accidents, the results of pure chance rather than Dorothy’s bravery or virtue. (Any water-soluble witch who leaves buckets of the stuff sitting around her castle is asking for trouble.) But in both cases, Dorothy is instantly hailed as a conquering heroine, just as the Wizard was when he touched down in Oz. The message is that people will march behind any authority figure who makes a splash, however undeserving they may be. It’s a subversive message in 2019, and it was even more pointed in 1939, when fascist dictators were stomping across Europe.
(Excerpt) Read more at bbc.com ...
yeah using Garland made the movie a real flop.
And her singing voice brought us one of the most iconic songs in American music,.
Inglourious Basterds went there.
Emerald City = Greenbacks?
Yellow Brick Road = Gold standard?
Might be on to something there... but the yellow brick road leads to the Emerald City, so is he saying fiat currency is inevitable?
What? I hope that’s sarcasm.
If not, that’s ridiculous.
No kidding.
I never liked it either. One main reason was the miscast Judy Garland. I like Judy when she was young, as in the Andy Hardy movies, but she was wrong for Dorothy.
The flop was the Diana Ross/Michael Jackson/Nipsey Russell remake.
Now that was incredibly bad.
I’m glad I am not the only one.
It was hyperbole, certainly not tragedy, but what’s ridiculous? Shirley would have been perfect. Judy was wrong for the part.
I grew up in WV We had library down the street from my house. It had a leather bound original set of the books. This was 58 I think the books were written 45-58 years before. I couldn’t put them down. I read the entire set one summer.
When i was 43 my kids bought me the 50th anniversary VHS with outtakes, including the jitterbug dance with the monkeys, the way the battle was originally filmed. Also Buddy Epsen in the make up that gave him and reaction causing him to leave the film.
In 1995 I met one of the last Munchkins and his wife at the Ontario Mills Mall in CA He was touring with a book about being a midget in Hollywood and his time on the Wizard set. He had poster boards set up with stills from the set of the movie. He had been there all day and he still took the time to take men around and explain the photos. When his wife wasn’t around he said most of the midgets wanted to get into 16 year old Garland’s panties.
That’s ridiculous.
In fact, I don’t think I’ve ever seen one Shirley Temple movie. But, in clips, she seems way too artificially sweet.
I saw the stage play in LA, fair to middling. NBC did a live version 3-4 years ago. Never got the hang of it. One or two catchy dance numbers. Never could watch the movie all the way through. Bad concept, wasted talent.
A TV show with a great gimmick, that was copied too many times. Bob Newhart did it best.
The wizard has hair like Trump, but Trump is no phony. I would redo the movie with Trump as the brave lion. However, deep symbolism is for literature class. Just enjoy the movie.
I just don’t like it.
My children don’t like her either. I can’t understand why. I think she’s very bright and lovely, perfect for Dorothy. That’s just me. We don’t have to agree. We’re not into groupthink. Right?
Great story, thanks!
Each of the original books is worth hundred$ now, even in fairly poor condition. I suspect “Friends of the Library” is quite the profitable racket for books too valuable for check-out anymore.
In 3rd grade, I was talked into playing the Cowardly Lion by my teacher and parents. So glad to have had the experience.
I love the stage and public speaking now, although it’s not a primary profession.
Get a life.
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