Take a trip to ‘Oz’ with the State Theatre
The State Theatre Center for the Arts in Uniontown will open the 2016-17 Classic Film Series with one of the most beloved films of all time — “The Wizard of Oz” will be back on the big screen 2 and 7 p.m. Sept. 23.
The 1939 film, based on the 1900 novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by L. Frank Baum, stars Judy Garland (Dorothy Gale), Ray Bolger (Scarecrow), Jack Haley (Tin Man), Bert Lahr (Cowardly Lion), Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch) and Terry the dog (Toto).
The well known film begins on a Kansas farm, depicted in sepia tone, where Dorothy lives with her Aunt Em and Uncle Henry. When Dorothy and her dog Toto get in dispute with Almira Gulch, Dorothy decides to run away fearing the wicked Gulch will take her Toto away. But Dorothy, Toto and her house are swept up in a tornado and dropped on the technicolor Munchkinland in the Land of Oz where they encounter Glinda the Good Witch, the munchkins, a pair of ruby red slippers and the Yellow Brick Road they must follow to meet the Great and Powerful Oz to find their way home.
“Oz” was nominated for six Academy Awards including Best Picture but lost to “Gone with the Wind.” It did win Best Original Song for “Over the Rainbow” and Best Original Score. Initially the film was a box office disappointment earning only $3 million for a $2.7 million film.
It was MGM’s most expensive production at the time and did not completely turn a profit until the theatrical re-release in 1949.
Always at the top of theater critic’s ‘Favorite’ lists, “The Wizard of Oz” is in the top 10 of the American Film Institute’s ‘Best’ lists for everything from fantasy film, musical film, 100 years-100 films, song, quotable quotes and villain.
The classic film series is supported by the Herald-Standard Be Local program and sponsored by 84 Lumber, Nemacolin Woodlands Resort and Spa and the Hardy and Magerko families, along with the State Theatre, to create an event around each of the two viewings of the monthly movie.
Admission is $5 for adults, $3 for seniors, students and children.
The 2016-17 Classic Film Series will also include “A Nighmare on Elm Street” (Oct. 7); “Mrs. Miniver” (Nov. 18); “A Christmas Story” (Dec. 16); “The Wild Bunch” (Jan. 27); “Barefoot in the Park” (Feb. 17); “Clue” (March 10); “Coal Miner’s Daughter” (April 7); “A Hard Day’s Night” (May 12; “Mr. Blandings Builds His Dream House” (June 23); “Ghostbusters” (July 21); and “Taxi Driver” (Aug. 18).