STEPPING INTO OZ

The Wizard of OZ: The 75^th Anniversary in 3D

Reviewed by Jared Kenwood

On September 20^th Warner Bros. Pictures and IMAX theatres joined together to present for one week only, in honor of its 75^th anniversary “The Wizard of OZ,” re-mastered and for the first time transferred to 3D. The celebration of the films anniversary includes a 25 million dollar promotional campaign including: McDonalds Happy Meals, Simon Mall events, QVC specials, character appearances in the annual Macy’s Thanksgiving day parade and a brand new 3D blu release for home entertainment.

Nearly 75 years ago Judy Garland skipped down the Yellow Brick Road as the Kansas farm girl, Dorothy Gale. Could anyone have ever predicted that after all those years millions of people all over the world would still adore the film today? On June 4^th when Warner announced in a press release that they planned to release the film in 3D, there were initially a lot of mixed opinions from many moviegoers. The Wizard of OZ in one of the most beloved films in cinema history, and well protected. The concern with converting OZ to 3D was whether or not it would be damaging to the films legacy? Would the film be altered or ruined?  Would its everlasting value that has made it withstand the test of time diminish?  

Despite these original concerns, The Wizard of OZ: An IMAX 3D Experience has been released and played in select IMAX theaters across the country proving to be quite successful. Many have praised the fine 3D work. You literally feel as though you are in the house that lands on the Wicked Witch, as though you are standing in front of the great and powerful OZ himself, or actually being attacked by flying monkeys. Joe Shipbaugh, age 26 who has been a lifelong OZ fan and regularly attends OZ festivals all over the country shares with readers, “I grew up watching The Wizard of OZ. Sometimes two or three times a day. With every rerelease of the film, I was convinced they couldn’t make it any better. The 75^th anniversary restoration of the film does just that. While watching the movie on the big screen and in 3D, it was as if I were there in OZ. This American Icon should easily last another 75 years and beyond.”

The process of turning OZ into a 3D film took a team of a thousand people from Warner Bros. In a new documentary, The Wizard of OZ: IMAX Behind The Frame, many of those responsible for bringing OZ to 3D discuss this long and careful process. “The original film elements had to be scanned so that they were sharp,” says Janet Wilson, Digital Colorist at Warner Bros. “ and then all the dirt and scratches and to be cleaned off, all the imperfections that had built up over the years from the handling of these elements had to be taken out digitally.”

 Then a lot of layering had to be done to the film to create the 3D effect. Chris Del Conte from Prime Focus discusses later in the documentary, “ A lot of layering was done from when it was shot in 1939. We had to isolate a lot of different objects, and in 3D when we layer them, make sure that things that were closest to the camera have a lot more volume and as they fell away they were a lot less. That way to the eye it seemed natural, as if you were standing on the set. Being on such a large screen and being in 3D is literally going to put you into OZ.”  

The Wizard of OZ was filmed by MGM in 1939 and directed by Victor Fleming. Based on the book by L. Frank Baum, the story continues to touch the lives of many people. In the new issue of Life magazine, dedicated completely to the OZ anniversary and on stands now, there is a quote from film critic, Roger Ebert on why we continue to watch The Wizard of OZ. “It’s underlying story penetrates straight to the deepest insecurities of childhood, stirs them and then reassures them.” 

Although the Imax showing of OZ lasted for one week only, on October 1^st Warner released a new 3D version in stores along with a new standard Blu ray and DVD.

For anyone interested in reading more about OZ, a new book titled: The Wonderful World of OZ by author John Fricke will be released on November 7^th.  This new book will not only detail the making of the MGM film but will also chronicle the history of OZ from it’s original 1900 publication to the Broadway success of the musical Wicked. John Fricke is a two time Emmy Award winning producer and historian on the subject of OZ and the career of Judy Garland.

This article has been written in memory of Margaret Pellegrini, who played the Munchkin with a flowerpot on her head in the movie and often attended Wizard of OZ festivals. She passed away at age 89 on August 7^th.

Jared Kenwood is a longtime member of The Judy Garland Experience Yahoo group and our Facebook outlets, this is his second article for TJGE blog. His first was an exclusive interview with Judy Garland's daughter, Lorna Luft!

LIFE LESSONS WITH LORNA LUFT

Jared Kenwood and Lorna Luft

Lorna Luft’s Songs My Mother Taught Me

by Jared Kenwood

On March 19th, actress and singer Lorna Luft performed her solo concert for a sold out crowd at the Kravis Center for the Performing Arts in West Palm Beach. The show, Songs My Mother Taught Me is an autobiographical tribute, paying homage to Luft’s mother, the legendary Judy Garland. Garland whose career consisted of films, radio appearances, television shows, and numerous concerts, is most notably known for her role as Dorothy in the 1939 MGM film, The Wizard of OZ. Nearly forty-five years following her death, Judy Garland is still known as one of the world’s most beloved entertainers. 

“People often ask me, “What is it like to be Judy Garland’s daughter?” Lorna Luft writes in her memoir, Me and My Shadows, “How do you answer a question like that? It’s hard being legends child. She’s everywhere I turn, like a shadow. It’s been wonderful, and terrible, and everything in between.” 

For years Lorna tried desperately to escape her past. But being Judy Garland’s daughter and the little sister of Liza Minnelli, it was very difficult. 

“I tried to run away from it all,” Lorna admits to her audience, “I dyed my hair purple, I sang rock and roll, and I spent way too many nights at studio 54. I did not want to be in anyone’s shadow. However, the further I ran the shadow was always there. Until one day I sat down and decided it’s time to make friends with the ghost.” 

The show is a celebration of song, dance, and personal anecdotes. Nearly twelve years ago, with the help of Barry Manilow and writers; Ken and Mitzie Welch, Songs My Mother Taught Me was created. Following the performance, Lorna brought me backstage for an interview and shared with me a little bit about the Preproduction of the act and how the songs she chose from her mother’s repertoire. 

“We went through my mother’s entire library,” Lorna recalled, “And we picked and chose and talked. It took six months that we really, really went through the library and with Ken and Mitzie directing it and writing every single word. It was put together like a theater piece.” 

 Lorna gives it her all to keep her mother’s legacy alive, belting out the Garland standards. Using a fascinating technique of projecting onto a screen, film and pictures are presented to the audience. There are even some moments in the show where Luft duets with Garland. It was very moving to watch Lorna sing along side of her mother. The final song of the show brought audiences and me to tears when Lorna and Judy performed a duet. Lorna sang a song called Shining Star, and her mother sung her signature tune Over the Rainbow. The song that is most identified with Judy Garland. 

“I want people to remember her musicianship,” Lorna tells me. “I want people to remember her as a performer and an actor and I want them to remember her work. I think that’s what gives people joy and that is what she wanted people to look at her for.”

Dedicated to theater arts and encouraging young performers she shares some of her advice for Broward College students, who plan on pursuing an acting and singing career. 

“If you want to go into this business, you have to learn to do it all. Don’t learn how to be vocal aerobics and stand on a stage and not do anything else but that. There is something in between the songs called dialogue and you have to be an actor and learn how to be choreographed.” 

Songs My Mother Taught Me will go on for several more performances this August. Unfortunately there are currently no plans for any future Florida engagements. Lorna joke with me, “Florida is a little hot down here.” 

A week following her concert, Lorna began treatment and surgery for breast cancer. On her Facebook page, her wall was flooded with words of support from her fans.  

Songs My Mother Taught Me is available on CD from First Night Records and Lorna’s Memoir, “Me and My Shadows” is available for purchase from Amazon.com. Special thanks to Lorna’s husband Colin Freeman for arranging this interview. 

Editor's note: This was Ms. Luft's final interview before she withdrew from public life to deal with her medical issues. We are grateful to TJGE Yahoo group member Jared Kenwood for bringing this exclusive interview to us.

And on behalf of all the members, in all the outlets of TJGE, 

we wish Lorna Luft a speedy recovery and a happy and healthy future.

NEW FILES POSTED TO THE YAHOO GROUP for the week of February 3, 2013

Homepage by Allen Morris

Here is a rundown of the new audio files posted to the 

Yahoo version of The Judy Garland Experience.

To access the files click HERE.

A JUDY MOMENT

Accompanied by Tommy Dorsey and his orchestra, Judy Garland sings her theme song. August 13, 1944.

A MOMENT IN TIME

Michael Jackson declares his innocence the first time around, 1993.

DOUBLE TAKE

Judy tackles a Billy Rose classic in two different settings. First on television, and then in a more casual atmosphere. Joining Judy on the informal recording are Kay Thompson and Liza Minnelli. Kay takes the lead while Judy and Liza make like the Williams Brothers. The trio proceed to build the song to a level of excitement that is roof raising! An amazing rarity making it's public debut here and on our Youtube channel.

DUET OF THE WEEK

Dudley Moore and Liza Minnelli with a rare duet of "their" song.

ENCORE

Lorna Luft schools Oakland on vaudeville, talent, and longevity.

FLOUNDER'S FOLLY

From 1963, Dinah Washington's final appearance on television.

JUDY AND FRANK PABST REDUX

Just in case you missed it, here once again is that miraculously upgraded and expanded version of Judy and Sinatra filling in for Danny Kaye on October 5, 1945.

JUDY AND THE BOYS 1962

I know this is yet another recent posting of Judy's 1962 television special, but folks these upgrades keep getting better and better. And this network feed version is the best one yet! Judy Garland with Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin. Also featuring Dick Stark direct from New York. Includes original network commercials.

LIVE FROM NEW YORK

It's Lorna Luft! More never before heard recordings of Lorna and company performing at The Grand Finale on October 21, 1978.

PROMO RECORDINGS

Here, making their FIRST PUBLIC APPEARANCE IN 50 YEARS, are three radio promo spots for Gay Puree (we'll bring you another batch of these radio spots next month).

REQUESTS AND RARITIES

Anything and everything

SUNDAY MORNING SPECIAL

Be a fly on the wall as Liza and her trio work out some head arrangements on a selection of Jazz standards and a beloved Barbra Streisand song. Circa mid seventies.

WHERE JUDY PLAYED

Another recording making it's internet debut is Liza Minnelli's appearance at a fundraiser for the Tappen Zee Playhouse. Recorded at Carnegie Hall on April 25, 1982. Liza sings an eclectic bunch of movie songs, and gives a nod to one of Broadway's all time classics.

A GREAT DAY INDEED

Kay Thompson takes the lead and Judy Garland and Liza Minnelli make like the Williams Brothers in this high energy and exciting rehearsal performance of (It's Gonna Be A) Great Day.