Memories of Oz

This engaging 30 minute effort, created to share bills with reruns of the WIZARD OF OZ, is predominantly composed of interesting recollections by several midgets who were cast as Munchkins (interviewed while wearing their original costumes) elaborating upon various technical gambits utilized in the production of the classic, including disclosure of the choreographic modes of Dona Massin, so very successful with her little-recognized achievement. Among the more interesting morsels discussed are the replacement with Jack Haley of Buddy Ebsen as the Tin Man when the latter was hospitalized for six weeks (in an oxygen tent) due to his violent allergy to the requisite aluminum dust added to his part's silver paint; the excision from the story line of an innocent Kansas love affair between Dorothy and Ray Bolger's character Hunk, accounting for her favoritism of the Scarecrow; use of Oz props, e.g., Dorothy's basket, in subsequent MGM motion pictures; and other revelations from such as hilarious John Waters, Willard Carroll, whose collection of Oz material is the largest, and Stephen Cox, author of The Munchkins of Oz, with only graceless Jane Lahr's grotesque attempt to politicize WIZARD bespotting a generally delightful piece.

Memories of Oz (2001)

*** (out of 4)

Documentary short features interviews with seven of the original Munchkin actors, Stephen Cox, author of The Munchkins of Oz as well as other fans including John Waters. This short runs just over twenty-minutes so you're not going to learn everything about the film but there are other documentaries out there than can give you more information. The best thing about this movie are hearing the stories by the seven Munchkin actors as they have first-hand knowledge of the filming. They tell some wonderful stories about the production and hearing them discuss Judy Garland was pretty fun. It seems all of them thought very highly of her and her talents. We also get Buddy Ebsen explaining why he had to be replaced by Jack Haley in the role of the Tin Man and we also hear how they did the B&W to color effect so well. Perhaps the best point is made by Waters when he questions why Dorothy would want to leave Oz for Kansas. Fans of the film will find enough here to make it worth watching.

A wonderful documentary dealing with the making and executing of 1939's "The Wizard of Oz."

The gentleman, who never understood why Dorothy would want to go back to her dull life in Kansas and give up the wonders of Oz, completely misses the point. It was the love of Aunt Em and Uncle Henry that would want her to go back. Remember there were strong family ties depicted in the film.

There was another excellent opinion where someone compared the world going to World War 11 to the violence of the picture. While this might sound naive, there were cartoons depicting Hitler as the Wicked Witch and England as the cowardly lion. While it sounds far-fetched, remember German Composer Richard Wagner's work would mirror the upcoming violence of World War 1.

It was a pleasure to listen to the Munchkins talk about the film. It meant so much to them.

How smart it is to say that this picture should never be made over. What a gem of a book by L.Frank Baum, who gave us such memorable characters, and a resulting film which will always be treasured. The film was certainly beyond the rainbow.