"The Wizard Of Oz" 75th Anniversary IMAX 3-D Release

Andrew & I at the movie theater after our EXTREMELY

long but fabulous day. :)

Andrew got me a replica of the Wicked Witch's hat from

"Oz: The Great & Powerful" while we were in The Disney Store :)

And yes, I'm a dork so it made my day! <3 i="">

Well, the real beginning of the many celebrations Warner Bros. has in store for the 75th Anniversary of "The Wizard Of Oz", my all-time favorite movie and life's dedication (along with Judy, of corse) was the re-release of the film in IMAX 3-D for the first time ever!  I've been hearing rumors and speculation about this for years now but who knew if it would ever really happen and if so, how it would turn out?  It was publicly released on September 20th to rave reviews and unanimous praise from critics and fans alike.  

Clearly, the reviews have nothing to do with the actual movie.  I mean, it's "Oz"!  It's the most watched and beloved movie ever made so it's success really depended on the execution of the IMAX restoration.  In 2009, for it's 70th Anniversary, Warner's released a PRISTINELY restored print from the original three-strip technicolor negative for DVD and Blu-Ray.  The movie truly never looked better... until NOW!  

After the Broadway (Equity Fights AIDS) Flea Market today, which will be a blog in itself, Andrew took me to see it in Manhattan.  I'd read all the articles, heard all the hype, talked to a few people who've seen it since it was released earlier this week, and even though I make it a rule NEVER to give into hype or expect things like this to live up to it, I made an exception because, for me, it's quite the event.  I was not disappointed!  Not only did it live up to my expectations, it surpassed them beyond my wildest imagination! They've done EVERYTHING they can with the film as far as removing dirt, aligning the strips of color, restoring the sound etc. in '09.  It's been restored using the best possible technology available in the world.  Now the real question:  How do you take a 75 year old movie everyone has seen a million times and make it look like something new without destroying the original integrity of the film and making it look like a cheap ploy to prey on us Oz fans who will buy anything and EVERYTHING available to us?  

Well, Congratulations, Warner Brothers!  You've done it (again)!  Classic movie fans have come to expect a certain standard of quality from Warners for a while now.  They began restoring films like "Meet Me In St. Louis", "Gone With The Wind", "Singin' In The Rain", "Easter Parade", and so on and so forth a few years back.  The first really major release was the Blu-Ray version o Judy's "A Star Is Born" which was done using original eliminates and the highest bit-rate quality available at the tine.  But the pristine restorations have been going on since the early 2000's, but somehow they constantly manage to surpass their own best work.  I think it's because this truly is a labor of love for the people who do this painstaking work. Reportedly over 1,000 people worked on this particular version of "Oz" and let me tell you, it shows!  

From the very first scene when the lion roars, you're astounded!  It's a brand new movie, yet it's the same film with the same characters we all grew up knowing and loving.  I won't sit here and list every single moment of the movie.  I mean we've all seen it!  However some moments were just so breathtaking, they absolutely warrant mentioning.  Let's start with "Over The Rainbow", naturally!  To see up close like that makes you feel like she's right there, singing only to you.  She look ravishing.  And of corse, that moment we all wait for when she opens the door and leaves the black & white (or sepia) Kansas behind and reveals the Colorful Land Of Oz for the first time has always been movie magic at it's best and the moment we all wait for; but now, it's unlike anything you've ever seen!  You're actually THERE!  Every detail, every flower, every color, every bumble bee in every flower is surrounding you and you're just transported to Oz.  The first time you see The Wicked Witch of The West appear in her signature red and orange smoke, it seems as if it could make you cough, it's so realistic!  Glinda's wand, the Witche's broom (those small details) are really neat to see in 3-D.  I must say though, for me, the two moments that just made me gasp out loud were the first glimpse you get The Emerald City and the shot showing the flying monkeys coming to abduct everyone for the witch.

As usual, I cried several times.  I start at the first note of "Over The Rainbow" and then by the time Dorothy turns to the Scarecrow and says "I think I'll miss you most of all", I've gone through three packs of travel Kleenex.  

25 years ago when Oz had it's 50th Anniversary, a lot of really quality merchandise was produced.  Since then, the copyright has been sold and it's now all in Warner's hands. They have managed over the years since they acquired the rights to produce some nice things and five years ago for the 70th Anniversary, they did put out some cute things like Pez dispensers, a few dolls, and a handful of other okay collectables including the best "Ultimate Box Set" since "The Ultimate Oz" back in the 90's when MGM still had the rights and we, the world, still used VHS tapes.  The 60th Anniversary set wasn't all THAT impressive.  It was basically a rehash of the "Ultimate" set with different photos and glossier covers.  However, this was also the beginning of high-def and the first really great DVD release, which at the time was a new thing.  But here we are, fifteen years later, and fifteen years more technologically advanced, and I must say, I'm impressed with what we have to look forward to this year!  This new latest "Ultimate" box set includes literally every form of media available to watch the movie on in it's new (and semi-new) glory and a few new other little glories.  Also, due to the recent "Oz: The Great And Powerful", which was a big hit with the kids for Disney, Warners has launched a $25 million dollar ad campaign to promote the film (which is already seeing profits) and the box set and various home video releases haven't even been put on the shelves yet!  Also, a few of the things i+I've seen are of pretty good quality, reminiscent of what we were seeing back in 1989 for the 50th Anniversary, which makes me really happy and excited as a lifelong devoted Oz collector!  There are even some updated re-releases like John Fricke's fabulous Pictorial Oz History starting with its birth in 1900 as a children's book.  At the end of this post, I'll include a few highlights (old and new) along with some links .  However, I think that's enough babbling on about this for one evening.  It's an exciting year for Oz fans (albeit and expensive one!).  So make it as Oz-Some as possible! Yes, I just used the term Oz-Some (because it's 4 am and I've been in the streets of Manhattan all day rooting through vintage theatre memorabilia) don't judge until you've walked a mile in my Ruby Slippers.

2013 Ultimate Box set due in October

(Amazon.com Exclusive Version):

Special Features:

Hours of extra content including:
-Sing-a-long feature with the film
-Complete Magic Cloak of Oz silent shorts (60 min)
-All-New Feature Length Documentary The Making of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz
-The Dreamer of Oz TV Special (101 min)
-Munchkins at the Hollywood Walk of Fame Featurette (20 min)
-Patchwork Girl of Oz (60 min)
-6 hr. MGM Documentary When the Lion Roars (exclusive to Blu-Ray)
...and more

Exclusive Promotional Items:
-52 pg Hardcover Photo Book
-Ruby Slippers Sparkle Globe
-Collectible Award Pin Set by The Noble Collection
-Journal
-Frameable Map of Oz

Amazon exclusive Promotional Item:
-4 GB "Wicked Witch of the East" flash drive

The Wonderful World Of Oz 

By: John Fricke

The wonderful world of Oz is a magical place—and has been for generations of Americans since L. Frank Baum penned his enduring classic in 1900. With the 1939 movie starring Judy Garland, Oz was forever woven into our culture. Over the course of the 20th century, Oz continued to capture the hearts of the American people—as well as people all over the world.

This book documents that magical journey through beautiful photographs of the world’s largest collection of Oz memorabilia. Whether it’s first-edition covers, a munchkin costume, or the Wickedplaybill, the iconic items on these pages tell the story of America’s most beloved fairy tale. Come over the rainbow and see why there truly is no place like Oz.

The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion

 by William Stillman

An over-the-top, beautifully designed book that commemorates the seventy-fifth anniversary of The Wizard of Oz. Officially licensed with Warner Bros., this collectible edition features accessible text, a host of never-before-seen ephemera, and nine removable features.

Written by the foremost authorities on the subject—Jay Scarfone and William Stillman—and designed in close collaboration with Warner Bros., The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companiondelivers an entertaining and interactive experience, transporting readers over the rainbow and into the wonderful Land of Oz. The authors detail filmmaking secrets—the inspiration behind the film's realistic tornado; why Dorothy's shoes were ruby-colored; and how the filmmakers got a fleet of monkeys to fly—and reveal never-before-seen artwork from their personal collection, including, but not limited to, rare stills, Technicolor test frames, and costume and set illustrations.

The Wizard of Oz Collectible Set: A Commemorative Trip Down the Yellow Brick Road 

by Running Press

For anyone who was ever enthralled by the story of Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and the Cowardly Lion, this the perfect keepsake celebrating some of the most popular elements from The Wizard of Oz.
Miniature ceramic commemorative plate with easel

A Ruby Slippers pendant
A 9 x 12” The Wizard of Oz poster tied with ribbon
64-page book: A “75 Years of Oz” introduction is followed by a novelization of the story, illustrated with full-color photos from the movie.

The Wizard of Oz: The Wicked Witch of the West Light-Up Crystal Ball

 by Running Press

Generation after generation of fans have fallen under the spell of The Wizard of Oz and this officially licensed kit focuses on the ever-popular Wicked Witch of the West. Kit includes a figurine of the Wicked Witch of the West with a light-up crystal ball that glows green, plus a 32-page book of full-color photos and quotes from the movie.

The Making of The Wizard of Oz

 by Aljean Harmetz

This is actually one of my favorite Oz (movie-related) books.  It's been around for years and has been re-released a few times with different covers.  It is THE definitive "making of" book even if you're just into old Hollywood and/or the studio system.  FANTASTIC book!  With a forward by Margaret Hamilton.

Synopsis:

Released in conjunction with the 75th-anniversary DVD release of The Wizard of Oz, this book is the definitive story of how one of America’s most beloved movies was made and a marvelous, unprecedented examination of how Hollywood used to make movies. This updated edition includes numerous photos and shares hundreds of interviews with cameramen, screenwriters, costume designers, directors, producers, light technicians, actors, and more to reveal how the factory-like Hollywood system of moviemaking miraculously produced one of the most enduring films ever made. From the scandalous headlines of Munchkin orgies at the Culver City Hotel and the Witch’s (accidental) burning to the building of the Emerald City and the sewing of nearly 1,000 costumes, The Making ofThe Wizard of Oz provides a richly detailed re-creation of MGM’s production No. 1060 and a detail-by-detail, department-by-department look at the most powerful and flamboyant studio Hollywood has ever known.