University of South Carolina Libraries
L_i Timeless classic comes to DVD by Kevin Langston News Editor Since “The Wizard of Oz” was re released on video and DVD, I have been taken back to a place I had not been to since my childhood. As a young boy, I remember watch ing “The Wizard of Oz” on network tele vision, usually around Thanksgiving. These showings were the first time I was taken to that place over the rainbow. Though I have grown since I was first introduced to the Land of Oz, the feel ings haven’t aged a second. Two weeks ago, when my room mate bought the movje on DVD, I was taken back to a place I had foigot ten about, a place I forgot I had loved. I had never seen such a wonderful movie with lovable characters and great music. I just knew that somewhere over every rainbow I saw, the Lion, the Tin Man and the Scarecrow were loving life and missing Dorothy. Because of this movie, 1 was death ly afraid of tornadoes, fearful that they would pull my house from the ground anfftoss it about in the air. Because of this movie, I had night mares about the Wicked Witch of the West, and I wanted to be as cool as the Scarecrow. I still laugh every time the Lion sings about being king of the forest, and I am still amazed at the steam that shook out of the Tin Man’s cap. This movie was a part of my child hood. I wouldn’t have cared if a Munchkin were, in fact, hanging dead from a tree in one of the scenes. 1 would n’i-have cared that Pink Floyd’s “Dark Side of the Moon” goes along with the iiiuvic. I wouldn’t have cared, and I still don’t. This movie is powerful and mag ical without any of the cult rumors that surround it. While it is extremely en tertaining, it also conveys a good les son- to appreciate what you have and to love where you are. Harry Potter is getting criticized for the use of evil and witchcraft in chil dren’s books. What’s the big deal? “The Wizard of Oz” uses witchcraft. Why do we accept this movie so openly? No movie that I can recall sets aside the good and evil so well. I knew that the Wicked Witch of the West was evil and that her witchcraft was done for evil purposes. I knew Glenda, the Good Witch of the North, was a good witch. I knew that her spells were intended to do only good deeds. I could distinguish between the good and evil, just as children can today with these books. I just think our soci ety has grown more uptight. We are too fixated on all the evils, while all the pos itives go unnoticed. If anything, this movie helped me appreciate the good more than the bad. Wbuld today’s parents tell their chil dren that they couldn’t watch “The Wiz ard of Oz”? I hope not, for that would be a crime against humanity. I used to be shocked when some one told me they had never seen any of the Star %rs movies. I still am shocked when I hear this, but I think I would be more shocked if someone were to tell me they had never seen “The Wiz ard of Oz.” This movie is magical, meaningful and it is as timeless as the battle between good and evil. Ray Bolger stars as the Scarecrow in the DVD release of “The Wizard of Oz.” UVF in C.ONCFRWl Saturday. Nov. 6 * Carolina Coliseum The Village • 1 pnv FREE Goo Goo Dolls/Tonic • 7:30 pm • $20 Tickets available now at the coliseum box office, the Russell House Info Center or by phone at 803.251.2222!