Almost Perfect

Rating: 10/10 (27 August 2006)

This film had almost as much advance publicity from MGM as GONE WITH THE WIND. Long run, it has become more & more of a classic. This is a film with a great script & a cast that is at their peak of skills. Judy Garland is the heart & soul of this movie, & never got back to the heights of this performance throughout the rest of her career. Only "Meet Me In St. Louis" approaches it.
The support she gets from the rest of the cast, Frank Morgan who is at his best, Ray Bolger, etc. is outstanding. This film has more quotes than any other film. Yet, it is still considered a children's fantasy film & is a film which viewers either love or hate for some reason. Margaret Hamilton made her entire career out of being a witch in this film.
Let's not forget the music from this film which is nothing short of amazing. One song from this film, DING DONG THE WITCH IS DEAD was made into a top forty song in the 1960's, many years after the film was made. While this film did little in theaters when it was released, it became an American icon on TV.
AS I write this, though, I sum up my comments on how the heart of this film has touched folks by using a quote from this movie from the Wizard himself, when the Wizard awards the Tin Man with his heart. Take this quote, & view this film, & you will wonder why it is not quoted more often as it is the most over-looked quote I have ever found from any movie. "Remember my sentimental friend, a heart is not judged by how much you love, but by how much you are loved by others." To me, this says it all about this wonderful film.