Every year, this movie was shown on network television. It was a tradition in my home to watch it, one I look back on with a variety of emotions.
The primary feeling was TERROR! This movie scared the living daylights out of me. From the tornado scene (I lived in a town that was regularly nailed by twisters, I was scared to death of them) to the creepy trees with faces to the cackling witch to the ultimate terror: FLYING MONKEYS!
I don't know what it was about those airborne apes that was so terrifying, but I had numerous nightmares about them. The depicted scene, where they are flying across that ominously darkening sky, was the one that frequently sent me running from the room to hide under my covers.
Of course, the Wizard of Oz being the truly great film that it was, it also compelled me to watch it and get frightened again year after year as it was broadcast annually, first on CBS, then on NBC from 1968 to 1975, then back to CBS again.
Today, the film is still shown annually on TNT, TCM, and TBS. But it no longer captures the public's attention like it did in the 60's, when we would talk about its next showing in school for weeks before the annual event, in the dead of winter.
Other movies were shown every year on network TV. Look for them in future columns. Today, the annual airing of a film that gets the most attention is Frank Capra's It's a Wonderful Life, which, ironically, didn't get much attention until the early 1990's. Once again, it's shown on a cable channel instead of a network that would allow you to see it via an antenna.
But in the 1960's, the three Big Boys in broadcasting were NBC, ABC, and CBS. And whoever held the rights to the Wizard of Oz was guaranteed a very nice majority share on the night it was aired.
Geez, I still have nightmares about those blasted monkeys . . .
Comments (4)
Oh yeah! The flying monkeys were so disturbing in many ways! Almost as disturbing as the new Burger King commercials with the KING! WOFOZ was and is a classic! I remember it well! The sad part about it now is just about everyone in the movie has passed on to the big OZ in the sky! I do Civil War reenacting and every once in awhile a chat of Ohhh EEE OHHHH Yaoooo Ohhh Ohhh heeee Yaoooo!I liked the fact that they used color for the OZ scenes only and black and white for the Kansas scenes! My favorite character was the Tin man who briefly was almost played by the late Buddy Epson. And I will admit! I am a Pink Floyd fan and have watched the Darkside over the Rainbow footage with the Dark Side of the Moon album in sync! Just too cool! I will watch WofOz when it comes on! Now if you please! We represent...the Lollipop Guild, the Lollipop Guild!
Posted by Rivers End | May 26, 2009 12:23 AM
Posted on May 26, 2009 00:23
I was in sub-primary, at age 5 or 6 and the witch in the WOFOZ terrified the living crap out of me. I ran and hid in my room. Pure terror. No Exaggeration. I do marvel at how real the monkeys seemed. It was a classic production, done to perfection in so many ways.
Part of why we might not get excited over OZ is that it plays so often by several channels. There was far less programming and variety and so when a good movie came along on TV, we did not miss it. Now with video rentals and so many viewing options, nothing is as urgent or special. We can see Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer any time of the year.
But as an adult, I marvel at the quality and skill employed at that time. It is captivating, even now, even as an adult. It is timeless. And It was very much a part of the life of boomers since we did not have nearly as much to watch. We took what we could get.
Posted by Scott Irv | May 26, 2009 12:51 AM
Posted on May 26, 2009 00:51
The annual showing of The Wizard of Oz was a "big event" in our house. It was usually shown on Sunday nights, I remember--and we'd look forward to showtime with much anticipation. I wasn't so much scared of the flying monkeys, but I did find the wicked witch deliciously, well, wicked--and today, she's still the best Halloween witch I've ever seen, bar none. Mostly, it was the sentimentality that got me--and the great musical numbers. For months, we'd all be singing "Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead" at recess. There was also something infinitely sad about saying goodbye to the film...a year back then seemed to literally crawl by. Of course today, we can watch Wizard anytime, in HD, even!
Posted by Rod Labbe | September 18, 2009 8:59 PM
Posted on September 18, 2009 20:59
it was the witch that scared me. he face. i had nightmares about her.
Posted by vera | February 1, 2010 9:04 AM
Posted on February 1, 2010 09:04