“As
for you, my galvanized friend, you want a heart. You don't know how lucky you
are not to have one. Hearts will never be practical until they can be made
unbreakable.”
The Wizard of Oz
has held a special place in my heart and memories since I was a little kid. When
I was in pre-school my grandma made me Dorothy’s dress for Halloween and my mom
bought white shoes and painted them in red sparkle paint. My costume was
complete with pigtails and a basket with a stuffed dog in it. I used to love
playing with action figures and my one of favorite ones to play with was
Dorothy. I still have that Dorothy figure as well as the costume somewhere in
my basement. My parents and grandparents have their own special memories of me
constantly watching The Wizard of Oz over
and over and singing along to the songs.
I went many, many, many years without watching the film.
I watched the film for the first time in many years after I became an Old
Hollywood fanatic. I appreciated it and loved it since it has always held such
a special place in family. But over the last three years I would say The Wizard of Oz has become even more
special to me. I see just how incredible of a film it is and how it is such a
fantastic, wonderful, incredible escape from reality for the two hours and five
minutes it runs. That form of escapism was the intention for the film when it
was released seventy-six years ago and that is what it is still providing for
audiences today. I like watching The Wizard of Oz when I need an escape from
the real world and life’s problems. For its run I am a sixteen year old girl
walking to see a powerful wizard through a world full of vibrant colors and
lovable friends in the forms of a scarecrow, a lion, and tin man.
Yesterday I wrote up how I was afforded the opportunity
to see the silent serial House of Hate
at the Museum of the Moving Image in Queens, NY. I was also given the
opportunity of seeing The Wizard of Oz
in 3D. This opportunity was a surprise. I thought I was just going to see House of Hate and I got to see The Wizard of Oz as well. I have to
admit I was not too happy at first about having to sit through a film I know by
heart and can sing all the songs to. I was at a museum I had never been to and
had always wanted to go to and all I wanted to do was go look around. But once
the film got started and Miss Gultch rode by on her bicycle and the Wicked
Witch’s theme music came on I was done I was on cloud nine. I actually started
to tear up because I thought of my grandma and how she does the most spot on
impression of the Wicked Witch laughing and saying “I’ll get you my pretty.” (We
got her the ornament of Miss Cultch on her bicycle for Christmas one year and
it is one of her favorite gifts we have ever given her. It takes pride of place
on her Christmas tree every year).
I nearly started blubbing like a baby when Dorothy opens
the door and steps into the color world of Munchkin Land. I had never seen The Wizard of Oz in theaters before this
so I was tearing up because the kid in me was so happy and because I did feel
like an excited little kid again. I always get excited as soon as Dorothy opens
the door and steps into this fantastical world but seeing that moment larger than
life in all its Technicolor glory was unbelievable. One thing that was crazy to
see in 3D was Glinda coming down in her big pink bubble! It was like that
bubble was coming right for you!
The 3D aspect of the film was incredible. The picture was
so clear you could see the texture of the clothing, all the wrinkles in Dorothy’s
shirt, the brilliant yellow of the Yellow Brick Road, the different shades of
green in the Wizard’s outfit, the green on the Wick Witch’s fingernails, all
the rust on the Tin Man, the blades of grass, etc. I was floored by how clear
the detail on everything was in 3D especially in the costumes. I have a new
appreciation for Adrian’s costume designs and how brilliant they were after
watching the film in 3D.
I never thought I could possibly love The Wizard of Oz as much as I already do
but after seeing it 3D I now know it to be possible. I do not get emotional
over films I rarely cry no matter how sad or happy the plot but I did seeing The Wizard of Oz yesterday. I got
emotional because of all the memories I have associated with it. As soon as it was
over, I texted my mom and told her how happy that made me and how I teared up a
bit. She responded how great it was that I got to see it on the big screen and
that she probably would have cried too ha ha. If you have yet to see The Wizard of Oz, in regular format or 3D it does not matter, in
theaters I hope you get the chance to in your life. You will never forget that
experience for as long as you live.
Once again I would very much like to thank The Museum of
the Moving Image for such a great opportunity. I will cherish that memory of
seeing my childhood movie on the large screen for as long as I am a film
fanatic and as long as I live.
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