You may just be looking at it through the eyes of someone born in another era.

Posted by Audiophilander (A) on September 19, 2003 at 08:27:29

In Reply to: Why is the Wizard of OZ so freaking strange? posted by Bolt_Snypr on September 19, 2003 at 07:15:02:

Movies have to be viewed in the context of the times in which they were made. Movies with caricaturized racial stereotypes from the 20's, 30's & 40's may seem shocking, weird or just plain offensive to someone viewing them today. An innocent movie made decades ago that portrays a boy with an adult male mentor may seem odd or disturbing in an era sensitive to concerns about child molestation. Acting techniques have also evolved. What appeared rousing and believeable to audiences in the 1940's may appear hammy and theatrical compared to the natural acting in today's films. IMHO, to fully appreciate movies from other periods one must be able to suspend disbelief and immerse one's self in the mind-sets of folks who lived in those times.

BTW, Bolt_Snypr, please disregard my comments if you're over the age of, let's say, 40 or happen to already an aficionado of early films, in which case I'm probably preachin' to the choir.

As for your quiry about the Wizard of Oz, and I'm assuming that we're discussing the more familiar musical with Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, etc., we have art deco decor, dwarves depicting Munchkins of various ages, and Dorothy, a teenage girl, who dreams of imaginary characters based on people she knows on the farm. It doesn't seem too weird to me, but perhaps I'm just missing something.

I'm not quite sure what you find creepy or strange about the Wizard of Oz, could you be more specific?

Cheers,
AuPh

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Follow Ups Full Thread

Topic - Why is the Wizard of OZ so freaking strange? - Bolt_Snypr 07:15:02 09/19/03 (9)

Talk about freaking strange - jk@home 13:30:36 09/21/03 (0)

If the Witch and the Flying Monkeys . . . - albee33 12:08:19 09/20/03 (0)

Well, it's a surreal movie! Meant to be somewhat "disquieting"... - seldomblu 11:33:15 09/20/03 (0)

Re: Why is the Wizard of OZ so freaking strange? - edta 20:35:00 09/19/03 (1)

CNN, New York Times, Washington Post... nt - clarkjohnsen 09:24:45 09/20/03 (0)

You may just be looking at it through the eyes of someone born in another era. - Audiophilander 08:27:29 09/19/03 (3)

Re: You may just be looking at it through the eyes of someone born in another era. - Bolt_Snypr 12:33:39 09/19/03 (2)

I have a suspicion that that is what you should be feeling..... - Mrs. Piggy 19:29:27 09/20/03 (0)

I'm 48, and I've always considered it to be a strange movie(nt) - olddude55 19:56:32 09/19/03 (0)

Follow Ups

You may just be looking at it through the eyes of someone born in another era. - Audiophilander 08:27:29 09/19/03 (3)

Re: You may just be looking at it through the eyes of someone born in another era. - Bolt_Snypr 12:33:39 09/19/03 (2)

I have a suspicion that that is what you should be feeling..... - Mrs. Piggy 19:29:27 09/20/03 (0)

I'm 48, and I've always considered it to be a strange movie(nt) - olddude55 19:56:32 09/19/03 (0)

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