Osceola News: e're off to see the Wizard —classic film is on

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We're off to see the Wizard —classic film is on the big screen, plus it's on Blu-Ray too
Aug 27, 2009 at 12:16 PM
By Peter Covino

Entertainment Editor

Probably in some remote corner of the world, they are still awaiting the big screen debut of The Wizard of Oz.

For those old enough to remember, that most classic of classic films made its debut 70 years ago this week in the United States. The Hollywood premiere was actually Aug. 15, 1939; New York City, Aug. 17, and the world premiere in Oconomowoc, Wisc., Aug. 12. But World War II delayed the premiere in West (Germany) until after the war and they didn’t get to enjoy Dorothy, Toto and the Munchkins in Tokyo until 1954.


Warner Bros. is planning one of the glitziest releases ever for a new Blu-Ray edition to celebrate the 70th anniversary year of the film, including a one night screening of the restored and first-ever high-definition version on the big screen Sept. 23.

The one night event (Central Florida theaters include Downtown Disney’s AMC Pleasure Island) is at 7 p.m. and features a special introduction by Robert Osborne, classic film historian and host of Turner Classic Movies followed by “We’re Off to See the Wizard,” 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. You can buy tickets online at http://www.ncm.com/Fathom/ Premiere/WizardofOz.aspx.

The one night movie event is just a prelude to the debut of The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition in Blu-Ray and standard DVD, Sept. 29.


The commemorative edition contains nearly four hours of all-new and never-before-available bonus features and numbered collectible packaging. Suggested retail price for the new edition is $69.92 (DVD) and $84.99 (Blu-Ray).


The technical aspects of the restoration include a complete remastering, with each of the original Technicolor camera negatives scanned using 8K resolution. From this scan, a final ‘capture’ master was created in 4K, yielding twice the resolution seen in the master utilized for the film's previous DVD release.

Warner Bros. promises that the net result is one of unprecedented quality will make The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Edition a benchmark in the history of the Blu-Ray format.
The bonus ultimate edition extras include:

The Dreamer of Oz – which makes its home video debut. Also remastered for the occasion, this full-length motion picture was an NBC-TV special event in 1990 with the back story of author L. Frank Baum, “the Royal Historian of Oz.” John Ritter is in the title role — the man who defied all odds to create the famous characters and stories. Annette O’Toole co-stars as his supportive wife, with Rue McClanahan as his challenging witch of a mother-in-law.
Victor Fleming, Master Craftsman — A new feature-length documentary produced specifically for this release about the Hollywood director who, in the same year, miraculously brought both Oz and Gone With the Wind to the screen.


Hollywood Celebrates Its Biggest Little Stars — A new featurette that stars seven of the original “Munchkins of Oz” and tells the saga of the long journey, culminating in them receiving their own 2007 Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame.


The Magic Cloak of Oz — The first release of the complete 1914 silent film, including lost footage never before included in a home video presentation of this feature (produced by Baum himself).

The Patchwork Girl of Oz — Another 1914 Baum-produced, feature-length silent film, new to Warner Home Video.

The Wizard of Oz Sing-Along Track — here making its home entertainment debut.

Reproductions of Archival Material — Extraordinary renderings of the original 1939 Oz campaign, exploitation, and press books. These materials constitute a Hollywood “holy grail” for Oz, Garland, and motion picture fans alike and, for decades, have been among the most sought-after and impossible-to-find collectibles.


Behind The Curtain — A 52-page miniature coffee-table book, assembled by pre-eminent Oz historian John Fricke. Encompassing much previously unpublished material, the deluxe volume includes behind-the-scenes Oz photographs, studio memos and script pages for abandoned scenes and musical numbers.


Exclusive Wizard of Oz Watch — A collectible and numbered 70th Anniversary watch, incorporating art from the film and enhanced with genuine crystals. Available nowhere else, this timepiece was created specially for this DVD edition.


And for the Blu-Ray Ultimate Collector’s Edition, the original extended version of “If I Only Had a Brain” performed by Ray Bolger has been remastered in hi-definition especially for this release.
Both the regular and ultimate editions feature the remastered film, but the ultimate edition features a third disc.

Both editions have many special features including commentaries; a storybook; vault short and various features and shorts.

The ultimate version also includes a digital copy of the film.

The Wizard of Oz received five Academy Award nominations, including Best Picture, and captured two Oscars for Best Song (“Over the Rainbow”) and Best Original Score, plus a special award for Outstanding Juvenile Performance by Judy Garland. The film was an overwhelmingly popular and a critical success upon its initial release and repeated its ability to captivate audiences when M-G-M reissued the film in 1949 and 1955. The film made a new kind of history with its network television premiere in 1956 on CBS. Nearly 45 million people tuned in for this initial telecast, marking the beginning of an annual tradition. Ever since, The Wizard of Oz has been shown virtually annually on network (and then cable) television; its magical story and heartfelt performances have enabled it to grow from a perennial classic to its current status as a treasured icon of popular culture.