We're off to see the Wizard

- September 23, 2009

Drew and I saw the Wizard of Oz in a real movie theater tonight.

NCM Fathom, Warner Home Video and Turner Classic Movies present The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Hi-Def Event featuring the first ever High Definition presentation in movie theatres nationwide of The Wizard of Oz. This One Night Event will take place in over 440 movie theatres nationwide on Wednesday, September 23rd at 7:00 p.m. (local time). In addition to the feature presentation of The Wizard of Oz, this exclusive event will include a special introduction by Robert Osborne, a classic film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies, followed by “To Oz! The Making of a Classic,” a look into how L. Frank Baum’s classic novel was transformed into one of the most beloved films of all time including archival interviews, behind-the-scenes footage and rare musical outtakes. Also featured will be an exclusive clip of the Scarecrow, Ray Bolger, dancing in High-definition for the very first time.

This isn't just a movie, for many years it was a major television event. The adults in the theater...well, we'd all seen the film so many times we could recite the dialog and sing all the songs.

Auntie Em Gale: Almira Gulch. Just because you own half the county doesn't mean that you have the power to run the rest of us. For twenty-three years I've been dying to tell you what I thought of you! And now... well, being a Christian woman, I can't say it!

Coroner: [singing] As Coroner I must aver, I thoroughly examined her and she's not only merely dead, she's really most sincerely dead.

Glinda, the Good Witch of the North: You have no power here! Now begone, before somebody drops a house on you!

Wicked Witch of the West: Just try and stay out of my way. Just try! I'll get you, my pretty and your little dog too!

Cowardly Lion: All right, I'll go in there for Dorothy. Wicked Witch or no Wicked Witch, guards or no guards, I'll tear them apart. I may not come out alive, but I'm going in there. There's only one thing I want you fellows to do.
Tin Woodsman, Scarecrow: What's that?
Cowardly Lion: Talk me out of it.

Wicked Witch of the West: You cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! melting! Oh, what a world! What a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness? Oooooh, look out! I'm going! Oooooh! Ooooooh!

Wizard of Oz: A heart is not judged by how much you love; but by how much you are loved by others.

Dorothy: Oh, but anyway, Toto, we're home. Home! And this is my room, and you're all here. And I'm not gonna leave here ever, ever again, because I love you all, and - oh, Auntie Em - there's no place like home!

But we'd all seen this classic on television.

What a difference seeing it as the director intended, on a real movie screen. the clarity, the detail...one child was actually crying during the flying monkeys scene.the flowers in Munchkinland...incredible. When we see the Lion approaching the witch's castle he's carrying something with writing on it...but today I actually read the words: "Witch Remover". You miss some of the humor if you can't see the details!

And Judy singing her signature song.