The Wizard of Oz

[miaedu]

http://www.justusboys.com/forum/showthread.php?t=279410&highlight=wizard

 

[cityboy-stl]

I've never liked the film at all

Your GAY Card is hearby revoked!....

 

[josher]

I've watched it on TV every year for the last 50+ years.

And I own the DVD so I can watch it at other times.

 

[Yeehaw]

Never really seen the movie, but I have watched the entire series of QAF US, most of the Queer Eye episodes back in the day, and most musical films that came out in the past 10 years. Now who's gayer than me?

 

[NineOfClubs]

Only recently can I see ANY merit to this film. And not much.

Mostly hated it as a kid and never understood the fascination.

 

[MrBubulino]

I read the book first, so when I saw the movie I was like "meh, it's ok, I guess". I don't really understand why it is such a big deal.

 

[Gemini_Valley]

This film is a piece of America how can anyone hate it? (lol, jk) I don't know if it's the seasonal airings on TV but I always feel compelled to watch, along with purchasing the latest editions when released. I believe I own three different versions so I really love this film.

There is word of various adaptions in the works, one being based on the actual novel. Which should be good since the book was a little more "darker" then the movie version.

Does anyone remember the short-lived '90's cartoon? I was talking about this with various co-workers & friends of mine and noone seemed to remember. Thank goodness for YouTube.

 

[braex27]

I really quite liked the film. No one, and I mean no one, sings "Over The Rainbow" like Judy Garland.

 

[GamerBear]

This film is a piece of America how can anyone hate it? (lol, jk) I don't know if it's the seasonal airings on TV but I always feel compelled to watch, along with purchasing the latest editions when released. I believe I own three different versions so I really love this film.

There is word of various adaptions in the works, one being based on the actual novel. Which should be good since the book was a little more "darker" then the movie version.

Does anyone remember the short-lived '90's cartoon? I was talking about this with various co-workers & friends of mine and noone seemed to remember. Thank goodness for YouTube.

Yes I saw the 90's cartoon. I remember that laugh anywhere Tress MacNeille played Wicked Witch of The West. lol

 

[Scottyboi]

For me the movie is ok. Though if someone would explain the how gay men back in the 1950's associated with Dorthy I'd appreciate it. no one i knows seems to know the answer to that (just curious)

I'm more interested in the play and novel "Wicked"

It seems like Elphaba's role in the rewriting of the Oz stories is more of that in line with gay culture

To the point that I've referred to myself as "A friend of the Witch" or "A friend of Elphaba"

(again- I don't know the origination of the Dorthy=gay culture link so maybe that would clarify)

 

[Ultratank]

I actually love the movie!

 

[Scottyboi]

Wicked was one depressing book!

yeah, i can see why they changed it in the play.

But always remember the prophesy about her coming back and that there are other books in the series

 

[dat outside dick]

"Though if someone would explain the how gay men back in the 1950's associated with Dorthy I'd appreciate it."

Leaving home because your family doesn't understand or appreciate you. Really, nobody's been able to tell you that?

 

[Scottyboi]

Leaving home because your family doesn't understand or appreciate you. Really, nobody's been able to tell you that?

I had a straight friend bring that up as a possibility but I pointed out at the end of the movie Dorthy gives it all up to go home to said family, who really valued her more than she ever realized.

That just seems so different from men back in that time who sort of founded the gay culture we have today because their families didn't accept them and in many cases would have physically harmed or disowned them.

I always wondered if it had something more to do with the scarecrow, tin man and lion who were literally "the friends of Dorthy"

 

[Gemini_Valley]

Yes I saw the 90's cartoon. I remember that laugh anywhere Tress MacNeille played Wicked Witch of The West. lol

I thought I had imagaine this cartoon for awhile since many do not remember. I thought the laugh sounded familer too.

That just seems so different from men back in that time who sort of founded the gay culture we have today because their families didn't accept them and in many cases would have physically harmed or disowned them.

If I'm not mistaken, Judy Garland was one of the first entertainers to openly embrace her gay fans back then which forever solidified her gay icon status (not to mention her ups & downs in her personal life). The Wizard of Oz/Dorothy Gale is her eternal flame, her vulnerability in this film is so palpable that many gays have been able to identify with. I think this theory has been passed on as a reason this film is a "gay" classic, had no idea this was deemed one until a few years ago.

 

[Scottyboi]

Ok see Judy Garland being openly supportive of her gay fans and what you said helps it make more sense

 

[just_mills]

I can't really say that I'd go out of my way to watch it again..

 

[Spiff]

Anyone who hates this film must have had a rough childhood.

 

[Gemini_Valley]

Ok see Judy Garland being openly supportive of her gay fans and what you said helps it make more sense

Here's another explanation from wikipedia:

The Wizard of Oz has been identified as being of great importance to LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender) fans. One reason for this is Judy Garland's starring role; Garland would go on to be a gay icon and later in her career acknowledged the gay fans of her rendition of "Over the Rainbow" from the film.

Numerous analyses of the film and its impact on LGBT-identified persons have been made. Creekmur and Doty, in their introduction to Out in Culture, write that the film's gay resonance and interpretations depend on camp. According to the Jungian writer Robert Hopcke, the dreary reality of Kansas implies the presence of homophobia and is contrasted with the colorful and accepting land of Oz. When shown in gay venues, it is "transformed into a rite celebrating acceptance and community."

Queer theorists highlight a feeling of kinship felt by LGBT people for the misfit heroes (and villains) of the film, and attribute the feeling of identification to the hidden or double lives of the characters, drawing parallels to the problems faced by LGBT people in real life: "Its emotionally confused and oppressed teenage heroine longs for a world in which her inner desires can be expressed freely and fully."

I still just look at this film as a classic, not just a gay one.

I remember this as well. I also distinctly remember either a movie or tv show (cartoon) of Wizard of Oz with accurately colored silver shoes. Did another youtube search, but all I came up with was the 1982 cartoon movie, but it has red Danish Wooden Clog Style mary jane shoes.

Also after reading back through some of the postings, how many of you have actually read the book. I haven't, but it would be good to see some book to movie comparisons.

I believe you're referring to this one. I had this one on VHS but had no idea it was produced for television. This version, from what I can remember, is faithfully based on the book.

I haven't read the book since I was in the 6th grade but this article here you can read about some of the differences. One of the major ones was Oz being a real place and not the dream that it was in the movie. There is a rumor that in the original film version -- which suffered many re-writes, scene cuts, minor cast & director changes -- after Dorothy says "There's no place like home" the camera pans down revealing the ruby slippers underneath her bed. But no scene has ever popped up.

 

[MisterMajestic]

I stopped watching "Wizard" into my teen-years...If I catch it today I will watch long enough to see Judy sing "Over the Rainbow" then change the station...

Judy's voice at that age was so "haunting"..



A little unknown Dish for you guys: A few years ago Judy's Iconic-daughter showed her "hand" at an event she performed/presented @ with another Legendary Diva...

Soul-Legend Patti LaBelle was booked to headline a Big Charity event. Patti was asked NOT to sing "Over the rainbow" because when Liza is in the House the song gets to her...Patti played nice that night and took the song out of her line-up. Like the out-spoken Diva that she is, Patti mentioned WHY she wasnt gonna sing it on stage...LOL....

It's amazing how Powerful Divas shake-up an event...Even the NICE Divas bump-heads..