A tornado carries Dorothy and faithful dog Toto to the enchanted Land of Oz, peopled by Munchkins and other odd creatures. In order to go home she must visit the wizard in the Emerald City but the Wicked Witch of the West (an incarnation of her Kansas neighbor) stymies the journey she makes with her friends the Tin Man, Scarecrow and Lion (workers on neighboring farms). Only by saying the magic words “There’s no place like home” will she finally find herself in her own bed, surrounded by familiar faces. A movie extravaganza, with cast of thousands and special effects astonishing for the time. Farm life is shot in b/w while the world of Oz is a kaleidoscope of glittering color. The icon song is “Over the Rainbow” but classical music was used too, such as Mussorgsky’s “Night on Bald Mountain” in the scene where Dorothy is rescued from the witch’s castle.
