A classic tale of good over evil and good naturally wins - but not without its problems AND ITS HILARITY!
The story starts with Dorothy racing home from school desperately trying to get someone to listen to another tale of woe by an over-zealous young lady who had been orphaned as a child and is now being reared by her elderly aunt and uncle. Uncle Henry and Auntie Em are trying desperately to run a chicken farm with the help of three inept farm hands to have their own problems.
Feeling like no one understands her and no one can give her time, Dorothy runs away and runs smack into Professor Marvel who tricks her into going back home.
Upon her short journey back to the farm, she sees a tornado heading straight for the house. She races in just in time to have the window blown in and land on her head, knocking her out temporarily.
Now, the fun begins.
She awakens in a land unlike any she’s ever seen or heard of. Here she meets Glenda, the good witch of the north, ’’Witches are old and ugly’’ says Dorothy which delights and produces giggles from the unseen Munchkins.
Glenda assures Dorothy she is both a witch and a kind one and now introduces her to the little people of Munchkin Land who eventually send her on her journey to Oz where she is to meet the Wizard who will help her get home, a place to where she must escape because Glenda and the Munchkins announce that Dorothy’s house fell on and killed the wicked witch of the east. Now, her sister, the evil witch of the west will be after her.
Along this yellow brick road, Dorothy encounters the Scarecrow who insists on joining her so ’’maybe the Wizard can give {me} a brain.’’
As they sing and dance their way to Oz, they meet the Tin Man whose chest is as hollow as an empty drum because he hasn’t got heart. Maybe the Wizard will help him, too.
Once the three set out, they are frightened periodically by the evil witch of the west.
Along the way, the meet a Lion who begs to be taken with them so the Wizard can give him courage.
The actors in this picture are perfectly cast in their roles which they play to every child’s delight.
This is truly a picture of brains (being able to decide what’s important), compassion (understanding your fellow-man and wanting to help in any crisis), courage (being able and willing to face your foes) and the appreciation of home and family. It teaches the wisdom of accepting each other despite our character flaws, but mostly loving each other because of them.
What began as a bedtime story, Frank Baum created a masterpiece that would last forever. Each night, he would tell a different episode of the life of Dorothy. Under the persistent urging of his wife, he eventually began writing down the little epics and now it is the classic we’ve come to know and love today.
It is one of the leading rentals (and/or purchases) in Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer history.