Emblazoned on the national psyche

Rating: 10/10 (29 August 2004)

While some say this movie does not measure up to the masterpieces of Bulgarian cinema, the Wizard of Oz is a timeless classic, a miraculous rendering of the only authentic American fairy tale.
The script. It lives in our culture, woven into the fabric of our thoughts and conversations. "I don't think we're in Kansas anymore." "Are you a good witch or a bad witch?" "Just click your heels three times and say, 'There's no place like home.'" "Pay no attention to the man behind the curtain." "Surrender Dorothy." "I'm melting, melting!"
The music. Songs people hum every day. "Over the Rainbow," "We're off to see the wizard," "Follow the yellow brick road."
What other movie has even come close to engraving itself that way into our consciousness? (Casablanca and Gone With The Wind only have a couple quotes each that we remember, not even considering the songs.)
The stars. The best work of each actor. The cornerstone of the iconic reputation of the greatest cinematic voice ever. Judy, Judy, Judy.
There have been books written about the production of this movie, but in the end we just have to be grateful that somehow, despite multiple directors and cast changes and hair changes, it all came together in this incredible flick. It just happened.
Thank you, 1939!