The Perfect Holiday Movie, I Kid You Not!

I have recently rewatched this 1939 classic and couldn't help laughing and singing along once again. It is so much fun for kids as well as adults because it was made for all the kids all over the world who have enjoyed L. Frank Baum's many books about Oz, that place over the rainbow, for four generations. Indeed in the "Making of the Wizard of Oz," which follows the movie for about a half hour, I heard scenes from the movie spoken or sung in several different languages.

The messge is one so appropriate for the holidays, too. It has a poignant beginning, filmed in black and white, where Dorothy Gail, a young girl played exquisitely by Judy Garland who sings "Over the Rainbow" here to her dog, is upset about what a wicked neighbor will do to her little dog, Toto, who bit the woman. When the woman gets sheriff's orders to take the dog from her, Dorothy breaks down in tears, which doesn't last long as Toto escapes and runs back to her.

Immediately Dorothy determines she must go away with her dog before the woman came back. She meets a traveling fortuneteller who astutely gets her to hurry back home before her beloved Aunt Em falls ill with worry for her. One problem, though. A midwestern twister is headed straight for her house and her family and the farmhands have taken shelter underground already!

Then What Happens, Jan?

Well, you probably know this next part of the movie. It's very memorable. She is knocked out by a flying window and has a dream about going up in the twister and then falling in the land over the rainbow, which is filmed in brilliant Technicolor. She dreams up a beautiful witch, cute, little people called Munchkins, a wicked, green-skinned, black-robed witch, a talking, dancing Scarecrow, Tin Man and Cowardly Lion, who represent the farmhands and their wishes for brains, a heart and courage.

She skips off with these funn-loving creatures, singing "We're Off to See the Wizard" in Emerald City as advised by the beautiful witch to help her go back home. Dorothy confronts her fears of the unknown with her friends and kills the Wicked Witch, who represents her mean neighbor. I think this meant that the neighbor would no longer be a problem for her and Toto or at least that is the message.

Why You Should Watch This Again

Besides being charming, funny, suspenseful and wonderfully made with elaborate costumes, special effects, witty lines and catchy tunes, the video also includes "The Making of the Wizard of Oz" with many interviews of the well-known stars, Munchkin actors, Judy Garland's daughters and son, as well as scenes that did not make it into the movie. It takes you back to 1939 and why it was made the way it was.

Come on, treat yourself this Christmas to the movie that reminds you, "There's No Place Like Home, There's no place like home..."