Nothing says spring like sun, flowers, and bright colors. For generations of Americans, the same has held true for “The Wizard of Oz,” repeated viewings making it even more than the groundbreaking classic we know today.
Released originally in 1939, Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s epic novel is celebrated for its brilliant technicolor graphics, vocals, and Judy Garland’s performance as the heroine Dorothy. However, for years it would come to be strongly associated with Easter and spring.
Decades of viewings held on and around Easter Sunday helped cement “The Wizard of Oz” as an icon of the vernal season. As Religion and Humanities Professor Amanda Hayden recalled, it was a must-see TV event that captivated her family as well as millions around the United States.
“When I was a kid, growing up in the 70s and early 80s, it came on once a year. It was always around Easter. I remember getting really excited about it each year, being enthralled by the music, the characters, and even the Wicked Witch of the West,” said Hayden. “It really was an event where the family gathered, you popped the popcorn, and sat down. There was a specialness in viewing a movie like that many today will not understand.”
This year, Professor Hayden and her family sat down for a special movie night. Their choice? “The Wizard of Oz.” She would be seeing it for the first time in around 30 years.
“Watching it last night as a parent with my daughters was really exciting,” she said. “There were a few spots in the movie where I distinctly remembered comments my mother or father made, things I had not thought about until I watched it with my children.”
Hayden was surprised that her children were interested in the movie.
“I wondered if it would hold their attention but they loved it; they were really enthralled and it was enjoyable to watch it through their eyes,” she said.
Like many adults watching the classic, there was plenty Hayden noticed for the first time. Its bits of wisdom, depth, and Dorothy’s role as a leader all stood out to the professor.
“I really appreciated Dorothy’s role, that despite being a young girl she had a powerful voice,” she said. “It was her journey and in the end, she found the strength within herself to make it back home. As a mother of three daughters, it was a powerful message I was happy to share with them.”
The fact that Dorothy and her friends’ quest for the Emerald City should inspire such awe over 70 years after first gracing the big screen should come as no surprise. Beyond the technical wizardry of director Victor Fleming and the joyous melodies performed by its cast, its message has helped cement its place as an icon of Easter and the spring season. An epic tale showing darkness leading to light, rebirth, and the hope of a better future? No wonder it has stood the test of time.
Ismael Mujahid
Reporter