Happy 70th Anniversary to MGM's "The Wizard of Oz"- Page 2

[TulitaPepsi]

Posted: 8/13/09 at 9:44pm

The periodic re-packaging of Oz is identical to Disney's re-packaging of its classic animated features ...and often the extras on the older Disney picture-discs are often MORE extensive than on the current DVDs.

Some of my favorite moments in THE WIZARD OF OZ, SNOW WHITE and PINOCCHIO are the sequences designed to frighten the bejeezus out of kids: Terrified Dorothy trapped in the Witch's castle, seeing Auntie Em transformed in the crystal ball into the cackling Wicked Witch of the West....the Evil Queen's transformation into the Old Hag and the poisioning of the apple, and (most frigtening of all) Lampwick's horrified transformation into a donkey.

Updated On: 8/13/09 at 09:44 PM

[FabalaYero85]

Posted: 8/15/09 at 12:07pm

Oz has three premiere dates. While August 12th is one; the LA premiere at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood is Today August 15th and the New York City premiere at Lowes Capitol Theater on August 17th. and the opening date was August 25th.

Not sure what officially is the real anniversary but all days would be true in ways.

The 12th was just a town that got lucky with an early screening a few days before the Hollywood premiere dates.

The 50th Anniversary celebration are some of my favorite childhood memories.
Happy 70th Oz. may you live on forever.

[misschung]

Posted: 8/16/09 at 3:31pm

Happy Anniversary, favorite movie of all time!

I received the Special Edition DVD a few years ago, and was amazed at that old black and white footage of the characters' photo shoots. Just the sequence of the lion made me choke up a little bit. My grandmother really enjoyed the dvd's special features, too - she remembers when it first came out.

[Q]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 3:27am

Well, we attended the screening - and it was a complete bust! Apparently, they were attempting to do this as a live satelite feed (or something-or-other,) and it malfunctioned.

SOOOOO, just as the tornado was encroaching upon the Gale farm, it STOPPED! And that was it. After sitting there in a packed theater for over 20 minutes, someone FINALLY came in and announced that there was this technical malfunction, and they had no idea when - or even IF - it would be resolved.

We left.

[Marquise]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 3:56am

Oh Q...that's so disappointing for you and your Tin Man.

I do love this film though so I am sorry if I turned anyone off by my remarks regarding it lastest re-release on home video. My feelings regarding that isn't limited to THE WIZARD OF OZ but that argument is best left for another thread.

I didn't mean to rain on anyone's parade. THE WIZARD OF OZ is a brilliant masterpiece and has been my constant companion through some very rough times in my life.

Whenever I travel I always take it with me. Call it my security blanket but TWOZ always puts things in the proper perspective for me.

Updated On: 9/24/09 at 03:56 AM

[PalJoey]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 8:09am

Very excited to be going to the 70th anniversary celebration tonight at Tavern on the Green.

Ashanti will be singing "Over the Rainbow," Lorna Luft will be singing a medley of the songs her mother didn't sing in the movie, and the four (5?) remaining Munchkins will be doing...whatever octogenarian Munchkins do.

[FindingNamo]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 6:07pm

My fondest dream is that after this 70th Anniversary Celebration is over, WoO goes into the vaults, you know, like Disney does. For, oh, about 30 years. Then it could be rereleased in 2039 on its 100th anniversary to be discovered (as opposed to overexposed) to a new generation.

[SNAFU]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 6:19pm

There were a couple very magical times seeing the Wizard of Oz for me. The first was watching it as a child for the first time on our old black and white set, then a couple years later on our new color set and the third and perhaps the most exciting was seeing it on the b]g screen while in college!
ANYONE READING THIS THREAD WHO HAS NOT SEEN THIS FILM ON A FULL SIZED MOVIE THEATRE SCREEN ,DO SO!

-this has been a psa from SNAFU!

[best12bars]

Posted: 9/24/09 at 7:37pm

I so agree, SNAFU.

This movie was made for a big screen. And it's an entirely different experience.

Bettah than evah.