Lions and Tigers and Bears…Oh My!

by Clarabela on October 1, 2009 · 5 comments

Hello there! If you are new here, you might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.

The Wizard of Oz is on TV tonight. There was a time when the annual running of this timeless classic was a big occasion in my childhood. Back in the dark ages, before DVDs, BlueRay, TiVo or even VCRs, we had to wait until October to see The Wizard of Oz on TV. It would run on channel 4 every fall and my brother and I would sit in front of the old RCA Victor and watch in wonder. We didn’t know that the movie was made in 1939 and that Judy Garland was an adult now. All we knew was that those flying monkeys were SCARY.

” Toto, I’ve a feeling we’re not in Kansas any more.”
“I’ll get you my pretty. And your little dog too”
“My, people come and go so quickly.”
“Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain”

I bet every one of you has a similar memory of watching The Wizard of Oz and you have your favorite parts, like when the Dorothy opens the door of her boring, drab black & white Kansas world to see the Technicolor wonderfulness of Oz…or when they throw the bucket of water on the Wicked Witch of the West and she’s melts…”I’m melting, I’m melting“. That was amazing to us! And of course, when Judy Garland sings “Over the Rainbow”.

Since then the movie has become an icon that has inspired other movies and two Broadway shows. The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition has recently been released, so now I don’t have to wait for October to see this wonderful movie.

The Wiz

The Wiz is a funky, urban version of The Wizard of Oz that started on Broadway and features some incredible songs like Be A Lion and Ease on Down the Road. But the movie version of The Wiz is marred by a much too old Diana Ross in the role as Dorothy. But you will forget Miss Ross when you see a young Micheal Jackson as the Scarecrow. I often wonder why he didn’t do more acting. The Wiz also stars veteran comedian Nipsey Russell and Richard Pryor as The Wiz himself.

Wicked

You have to take a trip to The Big Apple to see Wicked . It is full of wonderful songs and tells the untold story about the witches of The Wizard of Oz. Wicked answers questions like- why is the cowardly lion so frightened, why the tin man is heartless, why does the witch have green skin and is she really as wicked as we think she? I hope you have a chance to see it when a touring company comes to your town. Love the song-Defying Gravity.

Tin Man

Tin Man is the Sci Fi Channel’s updated version of L. Frank Baum’s tale starring Zooey Deschanel, Alan Cumming and Richard Dreyfus.

There is a Wiz for everyone’s taste!

No related posts.

{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }

1 Karen October 6, 2009 at 3:24 pm

The Wizard of Oz is such a classic! And yes, those flying monkeys freaked me out as a kid.
Karen´s last blog ..Wake Up Sid

2 Actionflickchick October 5, 2009 at 12:30 am

I used to watch The Wizard of Oz every time it came on TV as well. There would always be a point while playing with friends that the “There’s no place like home” would come out. And those Flying Monkeys are freakin’ awful! I didn’t like watching any scene with them in it.

3 Clarabela October 5, 2009 at 6:32 am: I am glad to see that I am not the only one who is afraid of those scary flying monkeys.

Reply

4 Andi October 4, 2009 at 9:14 am

This movie – as so many in 1939 – is a classic and I never get tired of watching it. I read the Wicked books, but haven’t seen the play, I LOVED The Wiz film! I had never heard of Tin Man – I have got to check that out. I always learn about films I have somehow missed from you – you are like my secret movie connection!
Andi´s last blog ..The only kind of exercise I will volunteer to do!

5 Gwen October 4, 2009 at 4:33 am

What a great post! First you took me back down the Yellow Brick Road and then tied in of all those related Movies, Musicals and TV programs.
I remember oh so well that excitement of knowing I would only have that one chance to see the movie. If I missed it, no popping it back in the DVD player. I’d have to wait an entire year until it came on again. Those were the days! Today’s kids are missing out on so much by not experiencing anticipation. And yes, those Flying Monkeys were SCARY!!!
Ohweoh. Weoooooooooh.
Gwen´s last blog .."Corinna" finished