My goal is to pick one movie for each state in the US. These can't just be any ol' movie, either. I want to pick 50 movies upon which their placement in that state is a definitive factor, both for the movie and for the state itself. You might be surprised, when reading it, just how much impact a film can have upon the culture of an area, and how eager we are, as individuals and groups, to be identified with celebrity by our peers and fellow nationals.
Despite the lame Toto jokes that come about everytime I left my home state of Kansas, there was always some bit of pride, or at least interest, that everyone everywhere new a few lines from the Wizard of Oz, and its pertinence to my residence.
Anyway, it was my viewing of the Wizard of Oz approaching 2 years ago now that inspired me to begin creating this list. I figure the release of the 70th Anniversary Blu Ray was a good a time as any to start the list officially. So here it goes:
1. KANSAS- The Wizard of Oz
Well, sitting and watching the movie now, I can't help but marvel at how wonderfully silly the whole thing is. Glenda the good witch floats down in a big pink bubble, her plastic crowd covered with gaudy glittery baubles and springy-things, and singing in her chirpy voice, a cavalcade of midgets in flower-festooned Swedish clothes and clown make-up come out to begin a six-minute barrage of song and dance.
Dreadfully, dreadfully silly. I can see why the studio sweated when this was released. Even for a kid's movie, the Wizard of Oz is full of amazingly bizarre, childlike images and an unparalleled naivety. Somehow shinging through that is a lot of heart and a lot of fun that has made Oz one of the most successful family movies of all time (perhaps THE most successful, in syndication).
I have no doubt that the puzzle piece that most led audiences to allow the story to have weight, and allowed them to accept all the bizarre midget fun in good stride and spirit was the opening song, Somewhere Over the Rainbow. Two different institutions, The American Recording Industry and the American Endowment for the Arts, have voted it the greatest song of the 20th Century, and the American Film Institute has proclaimed it the greatest song that has ever been in a movie. Most would agree; for decades after, Judy Garland could not finish a performance without the audience demanding to hear her perform it live. It is a beautiful, lilting song
, to be sure. Without it, Oz would likely have been dismissed by its audience; but its message resonated then with its small audience, and through the war years that followed with a weary, beleagured American populace awaiting the end of dark days. For years, it became a quiet anthem for Americana.
, to be sure. Without it, Oz would likely have been dismissed by its audience; but its message resonated then with its small audience, and through the war years that followed with a weary, beleagured American populace awaiting the end of dark days. For years, it became a quiet anthem for Americana.And then, BAM! Midgets dancing in your face for a full six minutes. And flying monkeys. This movie has everything.
I do have to wonder, sometimes, how long this picture will remain an American classic. Will the younger generation be able to appreciate the songs and simple fantasy, the innocence? Will they continue to love the movie for something other than watching it with Dark Side of the Moon, or to watch for suicidal midgets hanging from the set (its a bird, btw)?
I guess time will tell. Even to a stone-hearted bastard like myself, The Wizard of Oz represents childhood and better times. But then, movies and television presentations were different when I was little. Its well known that Wizard didn't do terribly well in its first theatrical run, though it did better in re-release from the strength of the soundtrack. Its real success came from television airings and, later, VHS sales. But once, it was a big event to watch Wizard of Oz. It was played once a year on the network, in a time when VCRs were still pretty scarce. Much like Ten Commandments at Easter, it was something you looked forward to. I recall dropping my Star Wars figures and running into the living room to watch Wizard with my grandma. Screw whatever else you were doing, it was Wizard of Oz night. Does anything on TV now still hold that kind of power?
Well, we can hope that generations to come will recognize the craftsmanship of Oz. The Blu Ray is the pefect showcase to bring out all of the meticulous details that cast and crew worked so hard to create. Big music numbers with hundreds of extras, intricately textured make-up, and 90-foot tall backdrop paintings and sets. The setting may seem ridiculous, but the 
makers of the movie didn't seem to care. There's a lot of love and hard work put into this film, skill and craft that dwarfs a lot of current films. The interior of the Emerald city is made almost entirely of blown glass. Balls, that's impressive.
makers of the movie didn't seem to care. There's a lot of love and hard work put into this film, skill and craft that dwarfs a lot of current films. The interior of the Emerald city is made almost entirely of blown glass. Balls, that's impressive.If there's any film to be associated with, you could do much worse than Wizard of Oz. And the state's embraced it with pride. There are Oz museums, parades, and merchandise all across the state. In fact, there was supposed to be an Oz amusement park built as well, something to rival Disney, but the ground chosen, near the DeSoto Munitions Plant, was found to be contaminated.
Just as Kansas defined Oz's bleak grey landscape, Oz then brought new color and life to the state, a bright new identity.
...Midgets...
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