It's Been 70 Years...

Since we first followed Dorothy and Toto over the rainbow only to land on the Wicked Witch of the East in Munchkinland. Can you believe it? I couldn't either when my sister-in-law called and asked if I wanted to go with her to see it. Come on, it's the Wizard of Oz, how could I not want to go?



Last night at one of our local movie theaters they screened a new re-mastered Hi-Def version of the movie. It was a one night only special affair. I knew nothing of this when I got the call from my sister-in-law (who is named Dorothy, seriously) but I'm glad I said "sure, I'll go".

After so many years of watching it on television, it was great to see it on the big screen. The first part of the movie has been restored to its original sepia tones and the colors in the second half are still as vivid now as they were the first time I saw it.



Who doesn't love this movie? Who wouldn't love to escape to somewhere over the rainbow? I know there are days when I'd like to fly beyond the moon, beyond the rain.



And who wouldn't love to meet up with the likes of the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion? I still laugh every time our favorite Lion sings "If I, if I were King." Bert Lahr was the perfect person to play that role. I mean, really, who else could rhyme words like rhinoceros, hippopotamus and elephant with such sincerity and all the while wearing a broken flower pot crown on top of his freshly permed mane?



And let us not forget the mean and nasty Wicked Witch of the West with her smoking broomstick and her creepy flying monkeys.

*insert evil laugh here*

She'll get you and your little dog too if you're not careful.



All in all I had a great time last night watching a much-loved movie that, for me at least, will never lose its charm. I think, no matter how old you are and no matter how many times you have seen it, you won't ever tire of it. It is a timeless classic.

Amazon has several versions of the movie, including the new 70th anniversary special edition. I think I might be making a purchase. I do own an earlier version, but it's on VHS. Definitely time to upgrade.