The Wizard Of Oz Parent Guide

Parent Movie Review
by Rod Gustafson

For the handful of people not familiar with this 1939 classic movie, Dorothy (Judy Garland) is a young girl living on a Kansas farm. Life should be a breeze for someone this sweet, but instead it turns into a literal tornado, which sends the pigtailed lass and her dog Toto (along with her aunt’s house) into the biggest spin cycle in history.

After a short but dizzying flight, the building lands with a bump right on top of one of the wickedest witches in the Land of Oz. At this point, the black and white film bursts into beautiful color—Dorothy’s first clue that she’s not in Kansas any more.

Although hailed as a hero by the resident Munchkins (dwarf-sized people), the confused child’s one desire is to return home. But only the Wizard (Frank Morgan) who rules the land can grant such a request, so Dorothy must follow the Yellow Brick Road to which leads to the capital city of Oz. Along the way the girl meets the Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), Tin Man (Jack Haley), and Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). As each of them has a wish to ask from the great wizard too, they decide to join her quest.

There is little in this film to concern parents. Some children may find the tornado sequence frightening (even though the depiction contains many comic elements, like the old Grandma in the rocking chair who knits while riding the winds of the storm). Other anxious moments in the Land of Oz center around the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) as she does her best to regain the coveted (and magic) red shoes Dorothy is wearing.

Meanwhile, as the foursome encounters obstacles and challenges, they are forced to face their greatest fears. With Dorothy’s help each discovers the characteristics they are seeking have been within them all along. And it’s this self-discovery process that gives the endearing movie its heart.

Starring Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan. Running time: 101 minutes. Theatrical release August 25, 1939. Updated July 22, 2016

About author

Rod Gustafson

Rod Gustafson has worked in various media industries since 1977. He founded Parent Previews in 1993, and today continues to write and broadcast the reviews in newspapers, on radio and (of course) on the Internet. His efforts also include writing and researching media in all its forms and observing how it effects society and culture. He and his wife Donna have four children.

The Wizard Of Oz Parents' Guide

When Dorothy and her friends began their journey to Oz, they were counseled never to leave the Yellow Brick Road. What happened when they forgot that advice? How could this metaphor apply to real life?

What did it take for each of the characters to discover they already possessed the traits they wished they had? What can you learn from their example?

Home Video

The most recent home video release of The Wizard Of Oz movie is October 1, 2013. Here are some details…

Blu-ray Notes: The Wizard of Oz: 75th Anniversary

Release Date: 1 October 2013

The Wizard of Oz releases to home video in a 75th Anniversary Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray 3D / Blu-ray / DVD Combo Pack + Amazon-Exclusive Flash Drive). Bonus extras include:

- Sing-a-long feature with the film

- Complete Magic Cloak of Oz silent shorts (60 min)

- All-new making-of Documentary

- 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

Other promotional items:

- 48 page 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 Wizard of Oz 70^th Anniversary Edition

Release Date: 29 September 2009

Just when you thought you’d been down the Yellow Brick Road, and seen all the Wizard the was to see, Warner Brothers Home Video brings you three editions of the 1939 classic, to celebrate the 70 ^th Anniversary of The Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition (Blu-ray), with Digital Copy and Amazon Exclusive Set of 4 Collectible 8x10 Character Posters.

- Collectable and Numbered 70^th Anniversary Wizard of Oz Watch

- Replica of original film budget.

- Behind the Curtain (46 page book ).

- Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book.

Disc 1

- Wizard of Oz (Remastered version of the movie with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio).

- Commentary by Historian John Fricke including archival interviews with film’s cast and crew.

- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook

- Prettier Than Ever (The restoration of Wizard of Oz).

- We Haven’t Really Met Properly (supporting cast profiles).

- Music and effects track.

- Original Mono track.

Disc 2

- L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910 Short)

- The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)

- His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz (1914)

- The Wizard of Oz (1925 Feature)

- The Wizard of Oz (1932 Animated Short)

- The Land of Oz (1932)

- Follow the Yellow Brick Road: The Munchkin’s Walk of Fame

Disc 3

- When The Lion Roars Documentary (exclusive to Blu-ray edition).

Disc 4

- Digital Copy of The Wizard of Oz.

The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition (DVD), with Digital Copy and Amazon Exclusive Set of 4 Collectible 8x10 Character Posters.

- Collectable and Numbered 70^th Anniversary Wizard of Oz Watch

- Replica of original film budget.

- Behind the Curtain (46 page book).

- Reproduction of the original 1939 campaign book.

Disc 1

- Wizard of Oz (Remastered version of the movie with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio).

- Commentary by Historian John Fricke including archival interviews with film’s cast and crew.

- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook

- Prettier Than Ever (The restoration of Wizard of Oz).

- We Haven’t Really Met Properly (supporting cast profiles).

- Music and effects track.

- Original Mono track.

Disc 2

- Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Classic (1990 TV Special)

- Memories of Oz (2001 TCM Documentary)

- The Art of Imagination (A Tribute to Oz)

- Because of the Wonderful Things He Does (The Legacy of Oz).

- Harold Arlen’s Home Movies.

- Outtakes and Delete Scenes.

- It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! (The Tornado Tests).

Disc 3

- Victor Fleming: Master Craftsman

- L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain

- Follow the Yellow Brick Road: The Munchkin’s Walk of Fame

- Dreamer Of Oz (1990 TV Special)

- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910 Short)

- The Land of Oz (1932)

- The Wizard of Oz (1932 Animated Short)

Disc 4

- His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz (1914)

- The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)

- Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914 Silent)

- The Wizard of Oz (1925 Feature)

The Wizard of Oz: 70th Anniversary Two-Disc Special Edition (DVD)

Disc 1

- Wizard of Oz (Remastered version of the movie with Dolby Digital 5.1 audio)

- Commentary by Historian John Fricke including archival interviews with film’s cast and crew.

- The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook

- Prettier than Ever (The restoration of Oz).

- We Haven’t Really Met Properly (Supporting Cast Profiles).

- Music and Effects Track

- Original Mono Track

Disc 2

- Wizard of Oz: The Making of a Classic (1990 TV Special).

- Memories of Oz (2001 TCM Documentary).

- The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz.

- Because of the Wonderful Things He Does: The Legacy of Oz.

- Harold Arlen’s Home Movies.

- Outtakes and Delete Scenes.

- It’s a Twister! It’s a Twister! (The Tornado Tests).

DVD Notes: The Wizard of Oz (3-Disc DVD Set)

DVD Release Date: 23 September 2003

Warner Home Video presents 304 minutes of The Wizard of Oz (on three DVD Discs), for fans of the classic 1939 movie. Audio Tracks are available in English (Dolby Digital 5.1and Dolby Digital 2.0 Mono) and French, with subtitles in English, Spanish and French. John Fricke and the cast provide commentary.

Disc 1 offers an ultra-resolution restored version of the 106-minute-long movie with a new Dolby Digital 5.1 audio track. Bonus materials include: The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Storybook, Prettier Than Ever (the restoration of Oz), We Haven’t Really Met Properly (character bios), music-only track, original mono track, and theatrical trailers.

Disc 2 features a 1990 TV special, The Wonderful World of Oz: The Making of a Movie Classic, a 2001 TCM documentary, Memories of Oz The Art of Imagination: A Tribute to Oz, and Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz. As well, you can take a peek at composer Harold Arlen’s home movies, outtakes and deleted scenes, special effects sequences, the 1938 MGM short From the Vault: Another Romance of Celluloid: Electrical Power, the 1939 newsreel Cavalcade of Academy Awards, the 1939 trailer Texas Contest Winners, audio vault, the radio promo Leo Is on the Air, the 1939 radio show Good News, the December 25 1950 Lux Radio Theater broadcast, and stills galleries.

Disc 3 includes: L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain, The Wizard of Oz (1910 short), The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914 short), His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz (1914 feature), The Wizard of Oz (1925 feature) and The Wizard of Oz (1933 animated short). Other Collector’s Edition Exclusives are: The Wizard of Oz Comes to Life (Grauman’s Chinese Theatre Souvenir Premiere Program on August 15, 1939), Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer Studio News (the IntraCorporate House Organ/Newspaper for the week beginning Monday, August 14, 1939|specifically celebrating the release of The Wizard of Oz), Photoplay Studies - Rare Secondary Education Scholastic In Honor of The Wizard of Oz (magazine, volume V, number 12: circa August 1939), the studio’s invitation to The Grauman’s Premiere (that included tickets to the original opening night, plus a newly designed commemorative ticket), and Deluxe Collector’s Portfolio (reproductions of original 1939 Kodachrome Publicity Art, with nine portraits and on-set photographs).

Whew!