Anniversary Story

The Wizard of Oz: 75th Anniversary

By Jennifer Pascale

"There's no place like home, there's no place like home."

This year marks the 75th Anniversary of the famous film, "The Wizard of Oz". First released in 1939, and later re-released in later years, this movie became one of the most popular viewed films. 

The Wizard of Oz
photo credit: Google

"The musical fantasy is the most-watched picture in history", the Library of Congress said. 

Back in time and throughout the years, many of us grew up fascinated by its magical characters and ruby red slippers. In that time period, movies were what you would say, a come and go type of thing. There were not any TV's or DVD's to buy and play back to the movie. Their lifetime was were short-lived. 

However, The Wizard of Oz made a bigger impact than ever expected. 

"The Wizard of Oz was a moneymaker for its time," said William Stillman, co-author of "The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 M-G-M Classic". "But with the average national ticket prices at 25 cents (more than half of its audiences were juvenile patrons who paid a dime or 15 cents), it was not expected to recoup its $3 million in production and promotion costs."

This year, the film was nominated for a whopping 6 Academy Awards, including best film. It also won Oscars for original score for Herbert Stothart and best song for "Over the Rainbow" by Harold Arlen. 

The film was then re-released in 1949 and later in 1955. Judy Garland had been held at high status at this point after its first airing in 1939. It was not until CBS aired it in 1956 that it really gained the prestige that it holds today. 

Judy Garland, who played Dorothy
photo credit: Google

"I was born in 1956." Robyn Pascale said. "My mom always talked about how I was born the same year The Wizard of Oz was aired on TV. She was a huge fan and later my children were too."

Garland's daughter, Liza Minnelli, assisted in opening up the program and it was truly an event to watch. This broadcast brought in over 45 million viewers. It was aired a few years later and brought in even more viewers than before. This publicity and fan base for the movie was a astounding and larger than anyone anticipated. CBS and MGM signed an agreement for a third airing and many more, calling it a 'special event'. 

With the spaced out airings of the film, The Wizard of Oz reached three generations of adults.

"I had The Wizard of Oz on a tape that I would rewind and play back over and over again," High Point University student Mackenzie Evans said.

Evans remembers being engrossed by all of the various fairy-tale elements in the movie. She said she watched that movie growing up and dressed as Dorothy for Halloween 2 years in a row. 

There were many lessons that could be taken away from this iconic film. Above all, it holds the idea that there really is no place like home. When you are facing issues, you need to be home with your family and friends.

There is a 75th anniversary collection in honor of the movie's release that will be available via The Wizard of Oz website and Amazon. 

1939	The Wizard of Oz is released for the first time in theaters
1949	Second release date in theaters
Nov. 3 1956	Aired on CBS and hosted by Judy Garland’s daughter, Liza Minnelli. Brought in 45 millions viewers.
Dec. 13 1959	Aired for the second time on CBS and brought even more viewers. Was aired as a ‘special event’
Late 1970’s	The film was released on tape as a home video
March 26 1997	Released on DVD
2014	75th Anniversary