Video sells have not diminished since they came into existence. Year after year it peak like no other movie. Even on the small screen this superior film capture every minuscule detail of the magic.
Indeed, every star in The Wizard of Oz attained immortality. Most of all, Judy Garland as Dorothy Gale, the young girl from Kansas. Also Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Woodsman), Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West) and Billie Burke (Glinda, the Good Witch).
Frank Morgan was superb playing five roles: the doorman, driver of the horse-cart and guardian of the Emerald City, not to overlook the great wizard himself and Professor Marvel, the Kansas peddler.
The entire veteran cast had distinguished themselves on stage, radio, and many movies before The Wizard of Oz, but they will be forever remembered for their mesmerising characterisations. Victor Fleming, who directed Gone With The Wind, added to his illustrious career with his direction of Oz.
Mervyn LeRoy, producer/director of 102 feature films, will always be associated with The Wizard of Oz.
The name "Oz" itself has a bit of history. L. Frank Baum, author of the 14 "Oz" books, was asked how he came upon the catchy name for his magic land.
It is frequently reported that Baum said he was writing the first book in the series, "The Land of Oz," searching for a title. His filing cabinet caught his attention. An index card on the last drawer read "O-Z," listing its contents alphabetically.
There is no way, of course, to measure how many millions of people have seen a particular classic film; Gone With The Wind, Casablanca, It's A Wonderful Life, etc., but it is estimated The Wizard of Oz has been seen by more than a half-billion people.
Some Critics feel that, The Wizard of Oz should have won an Academy Award for best picture. And it might have, but it was hampered by its musical genre and a staggering number of dazzling pictures that year. Gone With The Wind won the Oscar. The other nominees were, Stagecoach, Dark Victory, Goodbye Mr. Chips, Love Affair, Mr. Smith Goes to Washington, Ninotchka, and Wuthering Heights. Neither before nor since have so many outstanding motion pictures been released in a single year.
What chance, for instance, did young Judy Garland have for an Oscar in a year the academy nominated Bette Davis, Greta Garbo, Irene Dunne, Greer Garson and Vivien Leigh?
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