The Most Beloved Film Ever

Rating: Null/10 (18 February 2003)

Sooner or later, it was inevitable that I'd do a review for this beloved 1939 classic which I've easily seen more times than any other film: about 4O. Based upon Lyman Frank Baum's 19OO book, this film surely ranks as THE most beloved film among the masses. Rather than go into details plot-wise, I'm just going to "ramble" a bit. First off, Shirley Temple was the original choice for the role of Dorothy (2Oth Century Fox wouldn't lend her to M-G-M, thank goodness). Although Temple was closer to Dorothy's age - and somewhat resembled the W.W. Denslow drawings in the original OZ books - 16 year-old Judy Garland was destined to be Dorothy & the film made her a star. As a little kid, Margaret Hamilton scared me silly as the Wicked Witch of the West - who even came close to her definitive portrayal of a classic Halloween witch come to life? Truly a magnetic incarnation. Billie Burke was inspired casting (that voice kills me) as Glinda - she certainly looked much younger than her 53 years. The film was beautifully directed by Victor Fleming and the musical score is legendary right down to the malevolent little theme which is heard while Miss Almira Gulch is seen riding her bicycle. There are few fun flubs: Dorothy's hair is seen in various lengths during her stay in Oz & the Witch mentions that she's "sent a little insect on ahead to take the fight out them" which makes absolutely no sense, since the song THE JITTERBUG was deleted. And then there's the scene towards the end when one of Dorothy's friends is seen unravelling the tie to the hot air balloon. No matter. This evergreen perennial film is a timeless diversion for the perpetually young-at-heart.