Scarfone, Jay. . Wizardry of Oz : the artistry and magic of the 1939 M-G-M classic / Jay Scarfone, William Stillman ; foreword by Charles Schram ; design by Rita Dubas. Chapter 6 Rev. and expanded Applause Theatre & Cinema Books ed. 1557836248 series New York : Applause Theatre & Cinema Books ; Milwaukee, WI : Distributed in North America by Hal Leonard Corp. ; Northam [England] : Distributed in Europe by Roundhouse Publishing Ltd., c2004.
Call#: Van Pelt Library PN1997.W593 S19 2004b

In this chapter of the book, Scarfone details “the aftereffects” of the film. He describes it as more than I visual treat, but more of a human document. It left with us a timeless song, “Over the Rainbow” and was nominated for several Oscars including Best Picture. The movie influenced many films later. Most directly, and most blatantly is the film The Blue Bird starring Shirley Temple. Other films subtlety copied aspects of the film such as in Abbott and Costello’s Jack and the Beanstalk the movie begins in sepia tone and switches to color. Oz is one of the few events in our popular culture that people have experienced together over generations. Scarfone states that we can all share the humor of its familiarity, whether it be a parody on Saturday Night Live or a punch line in a comic strip. Some have said that every film made since The Wizard of Oz contains some reference to it. Scarfone finds this improbable, but thinks that the story leaves an imprint in every movie makers mind. He gives a number of examples of movies that pay homage to the film some of which are the following: Honey, I Shrunk the Kids, Toy Story, Good Morning, Vietnam, Twister, and Jumanji. Scarfone ends by saying that the film not only sustains but continues to influence film today. It is a reminder that even with primitive special effects, “believability is in the eye of the beholder”.

This chapter in the book about the “wizadry of oz” details the lasting effect this film had on the movie industry. The book details all aspects of the film from the make-up to the set design to the marketing. All had a hand in making the film what it became, and what it became was a social phenomena that continues to play a role in Hollywood and Society. No other film has had such mass appeal and had such influence on so many subsequent films in history. The Wizard of Oz reminds me of a classical American business tactic of copying what is successful. In 1999, trying to capitalize on the success of Who wants to be a Millionaire?, almost every studio created a new game show on primetime TV. Similarly in 2002, trying to capitalize on the success of American Idol every studio produced some new talent program. However, just The Wizard of Oz, nothing can compare to the original. Its features can be emulated, but the effect it has had on the world can never be recreated. Although originally just another production in MGM’s movie making engine, it has stood out as one film that will forever awe the world.