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The Wizard of Oz - A Movie Review

Did you know that 'Somewhere Over the Rainbow' was almost cut from 'The Wizard of Oz'?

By Marielle SabbagPublished 4 years ago 3 min read
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We’re off to see the Wizard, the wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Smashing into theaters in 1939 The Wizard of Oz was an instant hit among audiences. Dorothy Gale is not in Kansas anymore after being swept away with her dog by a tornado. Arriving in a magical land, Dorothy embarks on a journey with a scarecrow, a tin man, and a lion to see if the Wizard of Oz help can bring her home.

The Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic. I remember watching it as a little girl and singing along when Dorothy and her friends were frolicking down the yellow brick road. The Wizard of Oz is a beautiful tale about adventure, friendship, and learning to believe in yourself

Without a doubt, Judy Garland’s performance as Dorothy Gail will forever be an iconic role. Garland was excellent at capturing Dorothy’s childlike charisma. Her enriching song, ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ is beautiful. To think it was almost cut from the final film! Dorothy’s journey is a memorable adventure encouraging her to learn that there is no place like home.

Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, and Bert Lahr are incredible! Because of their beautifully lifelike makeup, nobody wanted to sit with them during lunch breaks! Each star sang noteworthy songs instantly capturing their personalities. The Wizard of Oz would not be what is without these humorous characters.

The friendship between the Scarecrow, Tin Man and Lion is so underrated! My most favorite scenes are when the trio works together to solve matters. Aside from seeking their own desires, they have an important subtle lesson that deserves more recognition. They learn about the importance of friendship which is a huge motivation surrounding their accomplishments in the latter half of the film.

Young audiences found Margaret Hamilton’s performance as the Wicked Witch of the West so terrifying that some of her scenes had to be cut! Hamilton was a natural falling into the cruel nature of the witch in an instant. I love her witch laugh. Remember her epic exit from munchkin land? Hamilton suffered burns descending through a hidden door!

The Wizard of Oz would not be what it is without the talents of Frank Morgan, Billie Burke, Clara Blandick, Pat Walshe, a terrific ensemble who danced about as the munchkins, and the great four-legged Terry as Toto. Toto is unforgettable. Toto accompanies Dorothy on her journey, helping the friends through tasks.

The songs in The Wizard of Oz are catchy, accompanied by a beautiful score. When I was in my own stage version of The Wizard of Oz I had a fantastic time singing ‘Ding Dong the Wicked Witch is Dead’. Other credible songs include ‘If I Only Had a Brain’, ‘If I Only Had a Heart’, ‘If I Only Had the Nerve’, and the best number ‘We’re off to see the Wizard’.

Special effects were impressive for its time. The house that you see falling onto the camera is actually a dollhouse! To make that spinning cyclone look realistic the crew spun a 35-foot muslin stocking around a miniature set of the Gails farm. The entire crew worked incredulously to bring this movie to life.

If it weren’t for the hard work of Victor Fleming, The Wizard of Oz would not have been an instant classic. The Wizard of Oz is a story about imagination, friendship, and overcoming obstacles. He succeeded in making the magic believable.

I never get tired of watching this movie when it broadcasts every year. It is a remarkable tale that will never lose its nostalgic energy. If you have not watched it, take a journey over the rainbow and enjoy this beautiful work of art.

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About the Creator

Marielle Sabbag

Writing has been my passion since I was 11 years old. I love creating stories from fiction, poetry, fanfiction. I enjoy writing movie reviews. I would love to become a creative writing teacher and leave the world inspiring minds.

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