Thank Goodness! It's "Wicked" Weekend.

The Wizard of Oz (1939) Review

Starring…Judy Garland, Margaret Hamilton, Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Billie Burke (a true Broadway cast)

In light of the very special occasion that Wicked, the fantabulous musical, is finally getting its film adaptation, I’ve been making sure I’m mentally and emotionally prepared.

I don’t think I’ve actually seen The Wizard of Oz since I was a child, which seems wild considering how deeply it’s ingrained into my psyche. This movie has grown far beyond its 102 minute runtime, becoming an incomparable cultural phenomenon. There are probably more pieces of media that reference The Wizard of Oz than those that don’t.

Imagine going to the theater in 1939. You’ve never seen a movie in color before. America is peeking out of the Great Depression but gazing down the barrel of World War II. Still, you’ve treated yourself to a movie, because escapism has always been how we cope. Maybe you even splurged on some popcorn (a theater staple since the Depression due to its affordability and irresistible aroma). Maybe you left the kids at home. Maybe you were on a first date. Maybe you met up with a secret lover (a friend of Dorothy, perhaps). Whatever the reason, you left your life outside to breathe in some movie-making magic.

Then, Judy Garland’s wistful voice echoes a universal desire: that there may be a world kinder than this one. “Somewhere over the rainbow...” Suddenly, the storm that’s raging all around goes silent. And as the door of the little wooden farmhouse opens, there is color and light more vivid than you’ve ever seen.

The emotionality of this moment is still palpable, even from a 21st-century lens. Honestly, most of it holds up rather impressively after 85 years. Not only is The Wizard of Oz an iconic film, but it is also an incredible piece of art. From the production design to the filming, it is fantastically constructed. I was working on a puzzle while rewatching the movie, but I had to pause and just take in the Wizard’s room. The holographic head, the brilliantly lit green set, the bursts of fire—so much fire. Even the painted scenery of the Emerald City seemed to shimmer on its own. And that tornado? It stressed me out more than the entirety of Twister. I’m truly astounded.

Goodness, every time Glinda floated down in her bubble, I was as mesmerized as the munchkins.

The entire cast understood the assignment. There isn’t one performance, not one moment, where I didn’t believe every word spoken. I felt Dorothy’s frustration at the Wizard’s trickery like it was the first time I was hearing it.

Imagine being in 1939, just coming out of the Great Depression, wishing and hoping for any sign of luxury to enter your life. Or seeing the tragedies of war creep closer and closer to your doorstep and then hearing Dorothy say:

“If I ever go looking for my heart’s desire again... I won’t go looking any further than my own back yard, because if it isn’t there, I never really lost it to begin with.”

Now, this line could easily come off as saccharine or a tool to placate the masses, but it could also leave you in a blubbering mess, running home to hug your chickens.

Imagine leaving the theater after The Wizard of Oz—where the colorful world of Oz has blown you away, much like Dorothy—and having to walk back into reality. One could only hope to feel the same relief Dorothy experiences, waking back up in her farm in Kansas.

But wait! What about the Witch? Why is she the way she is? Are people born wicked, or do they have wickedness thrust upon them? What is the political state of Oz?

Don’t worry. The gaps in the world-building that The Wizard of Oz left us with in 1939 are about to be resolved with the release of Wicked. Following a film that brought color to the big screen and a musical that has dominated for decades, expectations are high. I am thrilled. Stay tuned for my unsolicited thoughts and feelings on the film next week.

Did you know: Very few members of The Wizard of Oz cast came away from it unscathed. People were burned, poisoned, and abused on every step of the yellow brick road.

Watch or not: I don’t believe a movie deserves to be watched just because it’s a “classic.” There are plenty of “classics” that should be buried forever. However, The Wizard of Oz holds onto every bit of its magic. Watch or rewatch—it’s more than worth it.