The-Reel-McCoy -- The Wizard of Oz

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	The Wizard of Oz

	Rated: G
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Well, they are all on screen once again. 1939's The Wizard of Oz was re-released after having been digitally enhanced. Judy Garland captured the screen as the Kansas native Dorothy Gale who, after having run away from home and having been transported to a strange new world ("Toto, I've a feeling we're not in Kansas anymore.") learns the valuable lesson "There's no place like home." Along the way, she met three valuable friends.

My three-and-a-half-year-old daughter would not let me forget these. The Scarecrow needed a brain. The Tin Man needed a heart. And the Cowardly Lionneeded courage. These three are the most lovable of any characters of any movie.

However, when I first submitted to my daughter the proposition of seeing The Wizard of Oz on the big screen on opening night, her first reaction was surprising. She did not want to go see what was perhaps her favorite movie due to her fear of one particular character, the Wicked Witch of the West (played by Margaret Hamilton). The thought of the Witch appearing bigger than life on the big screen was a terror that she could do without. So I told her that she could cover her eyes whenever the witch appeared. She toyed with this offer of protection, but still was not convinced. Then, when we were about to leave for the show, she came up with the brilliant idea to take along a cloth napkin to cover her face with whenever the witch was on screen. So that she did. And she didn't just hold the napkin up to her face, but she actually draped it over her entire head. It was the cutest thing I've ever seen. And it worked fine. When the witch would disappear, I would tell her that the coast was clear. So to all you parents of young children out there, I have two words: cloth napkin.

My daughter truly enjoyed the show. And so did I, for that matter. This movie is full of life, interesting characters, excitement, humor, and valuable lessons. And the color is amazing. I had always remembered this movie as being rather dull in color. But now it is better than ever. One interesting aspect of this film is that it is not as wide as most movies are today. It is actually almost square. It is sort of weird at first, but once the movie gets going, you won't even notice.

I had not seen this movie in its entirety in a long time and was quite pleased to do so. There were many little jokes and plot nuances in there that I never caught or understood as a child. This is truly a great movie. Especially in costumes, set decoration, and choreography.