By Heather O.
Toto is a mangy little rat dog. What’s up with that?
This show does not take an eternity to watch. It’s a mere 103 minutes. I remember it being a long show, but this is probably the first time I’ve seen it commercial free.
Dorothy does not spend most of her time in Munchkin Land. Again, I think I must have thought this because it took SO long to get to Oz, and most of the time I was probably asleep by the time they got there.
My oh my is it a colorful show. Stunning, really. I never appreciated that as a kid, I’m sure.
The cowardly lion is just as hard to understand as I remember. And just as annoying.
Judy Garland is amazing She spends a lot of time gasping, screaming, and crying, though.
The witch is just as scary as ever. J, who can sit through Power Rangers, evil Batman cartoons, and Spiderman stuff without blinking an eye, was genuinely frightened. Man, is she evil.
Why would Dorothy want to dye her eyes to match her gown?
And, again, Toto is a mangy little rat dog. Seriously, what is UP with that?
We are on a serious Wizard of Oz kick here. Our family got to go see the musical this summer and it was fabulous. We’ve since checked out the soundtrack and video from the library and now I’m reading the books with my boys–we’re on the third one and it’s pretty good.
Comment #1 by VickiOctober 19th, 2007 at 6:07 amAH, but if you’ve read “Wicked”, Ephaba becomes a sympathetic character! That’s a testament to the quality of writing- that someone as aparently evil as the WWW can be made sympathetic.
But, yeah, Toto is an unredeamable yap dog.
Comment #2 by Tracy MOctober 19th, 2007 at 7:02 amIf you’re a Wizard of Oz fan, you should see the musical ‘Wicked”. It has some good songs and is a different take on the Oz story.
Comment #3 by Nancy R.October 19th, 2007 at 7:02 amI can’t stand the cowardly lion’s voice. Makes me want to hit myself in the head with a hammer.
Comment #4 by SueOctober 19th, 2007 at 7:19 amDid you know that Toto was an actual breed? I groomed dogs while I was in college and could have been knocked over by a feather when I saw a Cairn Terrier come in. I always thought Toto had just rolled around in chicken poo.
Comment #5 by NickiOctober 19th, 2007 at 7:20 amOne of my Primary leaders can do the Cowardly Lion voice. She has a shirt she would wear when she did it for church activities. I thought it was awesome (still do).
And I haven’t seen the Wizard of Oz since I watched it my first year of high school with the Pink Floyd album… weird.
Comment #6 by Erin MarieOctober 19th, 2007 at 8:05 amI have to agree with Tracy M. After reading “Wicked”, I can watch the “Wizard of Oz” and actually feel sorry for the WW of the West. Even as the mean neighbor who takes the dog –she’s just a lonely old lady with a life full of heart-break. ~sigh~
Sue, when I read your comment, I laughed out loud! That’s so funny!
Comment #7 by cherylOctober 19th, 2007 at 8:07 amMaybe Toto should have been a Pomeranian … or a Pug.
My sister once owned a dog like that one in the Wizard of Oz … a dog that on one occasion ate a diaper. Ever since I can’t look at dogs like that the same way. They gross me out.
Comment #8 by danithewOctober 19th, 2007 at 9:12 amI was terrified of the Wicked Witch when I was a little girl. I saw the movie a couple of years ago and I remember having to tell myself that I shouldn’t be scared, but I still was.
Comment #9 by TiffanyOctober 19th, 2007 at 10:36 amScariest witch ever.
I have a friend who was a child when the movie was released. He was in his 50’s when he told me in a voice full of the awe of a child how overwhelmed he was when the door of the house opened and he saw such vibrant colors for the first time on the big screen. It was incredible how awestruck he still was - as a professional, Harvard-educated, financially secure adult. I’ll never forget that voice. It changed my entire view of the movie.
and, Yes, Toto is a mangy little rat dog that should never have been let out of the basket on the bike.
Comment #10 by RayOctober 19th, 2007 at 1:33 pmWhen you watch the show, have you ever seen the dead man hanging in the background? Seriously, look for him in the trees when they’re walking through the forest on the yellow brick road.
And it’s been years since I’ve seen it. My DH think the munchkins sing “We represent the lollipop kids”. Which is what I thought it was growing up. He insists that I’m wrong when I correct him, “It the LOLLIPOP GUILD”. Whatever.
Comment #11 by Natalie S.October 19th, 2007 at 1:44 pmThe Wizard of OZ is our Sissy’s favorite movie.
She loves all of it but was completely freaked out the first time she thought the witch was looking right at her.
Comment #12 by RoseOctober 20th, 2007 at 7:30 amNO one has mentioned the freaky flying MONKEYS!!! Of all the things in that movie, I think they scared me the most. Yeah, and when I was little, I would have nightmares after watching that movie. Oh, what fun.
Comment #13 by TrixieOctober 20th, 2007 at 12:37 pmI just watched the special features for the movie, and I’m feeling much better about Toto. She’s a cairn terrier, like Nicki mentioned, and was an all around awesome dog who did a ton of movies. She was very popular in Hollywood.
Comment #14 by Heather O.October 21st, 2007 at 1:34 amWe bought the 3 DVD set a year or two ago and have watched it several times. (1 DVD is the film, the other 2 are all special features). I always like the movie. Even when you watch it to Dark Side of the Moon!
In December, the San Francisco Symphony is doing a performance where they show the film on the big screen and a full orchestra does all the musical accompaniment. I’m seriously thinking of buying some tickets! Should be amazing.
Yep - I really like this movie. Hate Toto. Always have.
Comment #15 by meemsOctober 21st, 2007 at 8:41 amI’m with Erin…
Pink Floyd, Dark side of the Moon.
We redid this just about a month ago, family tradition. Way fun especially when you get someone who has never put the two together.
Comment #16 by s'meeOctober 21st, 2007 at 11:14 amit is not a hanging man,it is some type of giant bird
Comment #17 by deidraNovember 9th, 2007 at 4:21 pmmy highschool is doing the play ‘the wizard of oz’ and ive become very fond of the movie. during a rehersal, one of the cast members told us about the dead man hanging in the background in one of the scenes. since then, ive watched the movie and havent been able to find him. can someone please help me out here?
Comment #18 by Jess31February 27th, 2008 at 10:18 amI’m glad Trixie mentioned the flying monkeys…I was beginning to think I was the only one! Also, that part when they storm the witch’s castle, the guards are really scary! That movie really scared me when I was a kid! It’s great, though.
Comment #19 by snow whiteFebruary 27th, 2008 at 12:11 pm