Christopher Campbell began writing film criticism and covering film festivals for a zine called. You might've seen the commercial before, but if you haven't, check it out below. Gordy and producer Rob Cohen cast Ross, then 33, as Dorothy. Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel both gave this two thumbs up on Sneak Previews: The Wiz/Who is Killing The Great Chefs of Europe?/Girlfriends/The Big Fix/Days of Heaven (1978). For Diana Ross, Dorothy's age was adjusted to 24. Tinman: The genius who created me only took care of my dashing good looks, my razor sharp wit and my irresistible attraction to the wrong women. 1. In the 1978 film, Dorothy is afraid of life away from her Aunt Em, but over the course of the musical, learns to be more assertive and knowledgeable of her strengths. In the 2015 television special, Dorothy learns that home is where her family is, which is with Aunt Em in Kansas, as opposed to in Omaha, where she use to live with her deceased parents. But I cant be the only person with an appreciation for TheWiz. Several omitted scenes includes: While far from a replacement on the unmitigated purity & genius of the '39 classic, it's instead a flip on the original in many ways. The other is The Wiz, a movie you may have never seen, heard is terrible and which fortunately has a number of scenes uploaded in order that I might illustrate and defend its worth. So I let him use it He asked me, Could I do this?and then enhanced it. Jacksons Scarecrow costume was hot and cumbersome, with a huge curly wig, a hat and vest stuffed with scraps of newspaper, not to mention a painted-on nose. Ultimately, Dorothy finds that, if you believe with all your heart, you can always find your way home. "The Wiz" is foremost a story of racial liberation, and an early piece of Afrofuturism the combination of science fiction, fantasy, magic realism and ancient African tradition that critiques. The movie became the most expensive ever shot in New York City at the time. I wasn't complaining then and I'm not complaining now. Robin Givens' debut, as a guest at Aunt Emma's party. And it had Michael Jackson, a year before he would start his solo career with immortal dance hits such as Dont Stop Til You Get Enough and Off the Wall. But The Wiz was most important for what happened behind the scenesveteran producer Quincy Jones, Lumets longtime film-score colleague, was musical director, and he met his future Thriller collaborator MJ by correctly pronouncing Socrates to the young singer on set. 1/The Wiz/Soundtrack Version] Quincy Jones 2:33 2 Overture (Pt. The Wiz is indeed a New York movie, featuring the most fantastical representations of the city's landmarks since the 1933 King Kong. https://medium.com/media/aaaab1fb5e4ffb83dd8e892f7d03de03/href. Showing how much we care and displaying our thoughtfulness in the end for those around us is what is most important. Please don't list it on a work's trope example list. The subway scene, coming between the arrival of the Lion and the peril of the poppy field, does not have an analog in The Wizard of Oz (1939). She also said she would be able to guarantee Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow if she was cast. . To wit, Dorothy and crew famously. Joel Schumacher's script for The Wiz was influenced by Werner Erhard's teachings and his Erhard Seminars Training ("est") movement, as both Schumacher and Diana Ross were proponents. Motown Productions bought the rights to the stage show, intending to cast Stephanie Mills as Dorothy. Now, let's look at how they did it. The Wiz Directed by Sidney Lumet Produced by Rob Cohen Screenplay by Joel Schumacher Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date October 24, 1978 The Wiz is a 1978 movie musical released by Motown Records and Universal Pictures. I will be sharing them with you, to hopefully create a sense of comfort and happiness in times that you are seeking courage, feeling a bit silly or simply needing to take a trip home. When you think about it, the story is about liminal space. Chrysler Buildinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building. Magical tornadoes can strike down anywhere, I guess, and spin you off to the land of Oz. During The Wiz post-production, he called Quincy unexpectedly during a rare home hiatus from touring. Rob Cohen, head of Motown Productions, thought Michael Jackson would be perfect for the role of the Scarecrow, and he approached Gordy with the idea. Diana Ross and Richard Pryor had previously appeared together in Lady Sings the Blues (1972). However, Diana Ross lobbied intensely for the role. Get a load of a masked puppeteer whose puppet offspring transform into giant slinky ghouls, trashcans that develop sharp teeth and tiled columns bent on crushing anyone hapless enough to walk by. My love for dogs makes me do things like walk up to strangers on the street to pet their dog or cry uncontrollably when a dog dies in a movie. When erstwhile Harlem kindergarten teacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) finally reaches The Wiz, the flimflam man said to be the solution to all her problems, he's not the all-powerful wizard she anticipated. Those are some of the freakiest damn pics I have ever seen. An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience.An adaptation of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African-American experience. Here are some other slices of WTF? The characters of The Wiz. Lumet stocked The Wiz with top-tier African-American talentRoss, Richard Pryor, Lena Horne. The Wiz also has 2 two good witches, Addapearle and Glinda, like the original book, not the 1939 film. "The Wiz" is a more soulful take on the famous classic "The Wizard of Oz". When you press play on The Wiz, the 1978 movie musical based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, you probably already know what's coming: A ragtag group of new friends experiences all manner of traumas while trying to protect a pair of heels, and then learn that the power to change their terrifying surroundings was inside them all along. When this movie debuted on CBS, the network trimmed several scenes to fit in a 3 hour block with commercials. The speech delivered by Glinda the Good Witch at the end of the film, and the song "Believe in Yourself", are particularly laden with est-ian concepts. After watching on dozens of occasions, particularly the underwear dance scene, I cannot tell you if The Wiz is good, but I am certain that it is great. The original director, John Badham ( Saturday Night Fever ), withdrew once Ross was cast. The duet between Michael Jackson and Diana Ross on "Ease On Down the Road" was released as a single by MCA Records in September, 1978. The Scarecrow's nose tip is the piece of brown paper that holds a Reese's Peanut Butter Cup. The plaza was also known for being a bit of a wind tunnel and that disrupted the production, so the scene wasnt as complete as intended since The Port Authority wouldnt allow reshoots. Looks to be one of the abandoned outer platforms and mezzanine of the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts station in Downtown Brooklyn. We don't really understand why Dorothy's such a mope at her aunt's dinner party, and, after she and her dog Toto are whirled away by a snowstorm, the scene in the playground really drags. One is Halloween, a movie you all know and love and which surprisingly has very few clips available to view online. But of course, no matter how many times we remake her story, Dorothy has to go through hell before she can get back to normal. One of the fascinating things about The Wiz is that it is a strange, delightful hybrid: a super-soul fantasy and a pointed gloss on '70s black life in reality. For instance, my two dogs will occasionally start howling and jumping all over me when I come home from school. The Feature Film The Wiz (1978) was filmed at Astoria Studios in Queens, New York. I guess I should make a joke about the baseball team, but I cant think of a good one. And this also makes me think about the subway in Silent Hill 3. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/NightmareFuel/TheWiz. Who can say! Its whacked-out, weird, gaudy and nightmarish and so very OZ-some. This movie was so iconic . Comedian Doug Benson cites this as his movie debut, claiming to have been an extra. There is a shot with a coaster in the background and multiple buildings that look kinda like the empire state building that fits also. White films were for white audiences. Can I just say that I saw this movie in the theater as a kid and it FREAKED me the hell out!!! When it came time for the Scarecrow part, Michael stepped to the microphone and began to sing, not the bright-sounding Michael Jackson of I Want You Back but the 18-year-old MJ whose voice had evolved into something as smooth and powerful as the Concorde. Included among the American Film Institute's 2004 list of 400 movies nominated for the top 100 America's Greatest Music in the Movies for the song "Ease On Down the Road.". Everyone I knew had seen The Wiz dozens of times, owned the VHS, and watched it at family gatherings and on random Saturday afternoons. Stanley Kubrick never directed a musical film probably because as talented as he was, musicals weren't his thing, so I wouldn't be surprised if he would end up doing Lumet's similar mistakes had he ever made one. The Tin Man says that he was once made of flesh and blood, but a spell turned him into the man of tin that he is now. The Wiz ( 1978) G | 133 mins | Musical | 25 October 1978 Cast: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell [ More ] Director: Sidney Lumet Writer: Joel Schumacher Producer: Rob Cohen Cinematographer: Oswald Morris Editor: Dede Allen Production Designer: Tony Walton Production Companies: Motown, Universal Pictures (An MCA Company) HISTORY DETAILS Must have been a set, no subway was that clean in 1978. I li. Aunt Emma comments that Dorothy has never been south of 125th Street in the Manhattan neighborhood of Harlem. He turned it down, and the part was given to Michael Jackson. Where did the purse shoes come from? I make the sounds with my mouthI can do that. Quincy became excited. These parallels are most noticeable in the the New York City Center Encores! Peter Stone adapted the screenplay from the 1973 novel of the same name written by Morton Freedgood under the pen name John . Aw, Michaels great, said the Motown chief not far removed from years of litigation with the Jacksons over contracts. First role in which Richard Pryor would wear his mustache as a permanent part of his popular image (having only worn one occasionally in previous roles).. Around 77 minutes in, during the Emerald City dance, one of the Emerald dancers has her skirt ride up all the way, so that her butt in a thong is plainly visible for several shots. Up until then the going has been a little awkward. I remember having fever dreams that someone was going to steam press me. Alla Nipsey Russell! Why doesn't it involve us as deeply as "The Wizard of Oz"? The basic storyline is the same, with Dorothy being taken from her home by a large storm and being dropped down in Oz, surrounded by colors, sights and sounds she has never experienced before. The Wiz: Directed by Sidney Lumet. At least well always have this movie to show us what it looked like as a place for people to get chased around by winged biker monkeys. I just finished up participating in a local show titled "The Wiz". When Dorothy first arrives in Oz, and the Munchkins pop out of the walls and begin shambling towards her, hands outstretched, and repeating nothing other than "Toto" in high pitched voices. "A liminal space is the time between the 'what was' and the 'next.' This is not a black film, Gordy corrected him. Social commentary is woven into the fabric of The Wiz; Dorothy is going through a magical crisis, yes, but she's also facing down systemic injustice. Relive all of the magic of this beloved musical when Dorothy is whisked away to the enchanting. This is a film with black stars. There were clashes on the set, as star Diana Ross made her transition from music diva to Hollywood diva, demanding an upgrade of her period-piece wardrobe. Her three friends are also seeking things from the Wizard, and hope that they receive them upon their arrival as well. I never wanted to watch this flickuntil now! It all happened. The Jackson 5's a Vegas act," the director told Cohen. The WIZ A remake that is different enough to stand on its own talented batch of "Pros" who make the familiar story work: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Mabel King, Richard Pryor, Lena Horne, Ted Ross etc New score 1939 is rural based, 1978 version is suburban There are parts that do not work, but those are small complaints. The cultural/racial differences are telling, the modern 70s stylings, the sympathetically cool casting of Ross (my late-to-the-party new crush), & the change to make Dorothy afraid to leave her home. call me names." Evillene, the Wicked Witch of the West, is depicted in this film as, The Tin Man getting his body pressed thin can look. According to her unauthorized biography, "Call Her Ms. Ross", Diana Ross was hospitalized and nearly blinded by a lighting effect used in the movie. Michael Martin, known as Iz the Wiz, was a prolific embellisher of New York subway cars, including this one painted in 1982. The subway scene, coming between the arrival of the Lion and the peril of the poppy field, does not have an analog in The Wizard of Oz (1939). These parallels are most noticeable in the the New York City Center Encores! Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. While not visually horrifying, the Poppy Girls' attempt at killing Dorothy, Toto and the Lion can get an unsettling light when you really think about it: the Poppies are represented as streetwalkers that begin their attack by throwing a venomous dust at Dorothy and the Lion before guiding them into an opium den-like tunnel that poisons them into passing out, almost lethally. The first song that Michael Jackson sings, "You Can't Win," was originally written for the stage version for the Winkies to sing to Dorothy about the futility of escaping from Evillene. The original New York City production of "The Wiz" opened at the Majestic Theater on January 5, 1975, starring Stephanie Mills, ran for 1,672 performances and won the 1975 Tony Awards for the Best Musical and Score and was nominated for Best Book. Sorry, cat people, but I just dont get you. The Wiz is indeed a New York movie, featuring the most fantastical representations of the citys landmarks since the 1933 King Kong. "Michael Jackson's a Vegas act. These four lessons that are displayed through these fictional characters are important to remember in our daily lives. The other was the Australian Twentieth Century Oz (1976). Finally, Lumet and Jones saw the qualities that Cohen saw. Q didnt want to do it. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Our heroine, Dorothy, has been transformed from a Kansas teen-ager to a twenty-four-year-old black schoolteacher. Michaels a star., Lumet was harder to convince. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building. Some churlish souls suggested, however, that The Wiz strains our credibility too much. 1. This earlier production of The Wiz could have been so much better. After Dorothy gets swept up in a tornado, she finds herself in the fantastical world of Oz. Michael and Diana have terrific chemistry, but Ross is mismatched for the part. This is based on opinion. Ease on down the yellow-brick road with The Wiz, starring superstars Diana Ross and Michael Jackson! Ted Ross reprised his role as the Cowardly Lion from the 1974 Broadway production. Just as black music, despite brief exceptions such as Motown and disco, had been for black radio stations and white music for white radio stations. The Scarecrow is seeking a brain, as you all know. If you look closely the Lion has high heels on. It's quite unnerving as a first impression of Oz. With that said, I always feel compelled to seek out these messages when watching or participating in a show such as this. The song was cut from the stage version of the musical during previews, but was included in the film as the Scarecrow's song. This particular shot always gave me that "liminal" feeling. At 53, Lumet was an old Hollywood hand with fast-talking charisma, ending sentences with darling sweetheart. To give The Wiz an orchestral punch, Lumet sought out an old friend to request a favor. Additionally, unlike the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz, The Wiz doesn't suggest that the whole adventure was Dorothy's dream. That's a big part of why I love it so much. She comes across a man assaulting another woman who then escapes the scene. So, obviously it was perfect for the spot where Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the Tin Man meet the Cowardly Lion (Ted Ross). Holy 70s drug induced set design, Batman! Eartha Kitt was first choice for the role of Evillene. Watching this scene as a child, as a generation of black kids did, was quite an awakening. NYCs Film Forum didnt even include the musical in its otherwise exhaustive retrospective of his work a few years back. The thing that is best about them, though, is just how much they love us. Theater chains in white neighborhoods wouldnt schedule The Wiz for fear of scaring off white regulars, producer. The subway scene, from the growing puppets, sharp-toothed sentient trash cans and moving pillars. Later, Jones called his new friend and listened intently as MJ explained he could hear fully formed songs in his head and needed someone to help write them down. Not because shes too old (although she is), but because she plays Dorothy the same way she played Billie Holiday, with an emaciated world-weariness, when the part, as Judy Garland had shown the world forty years earlier, called for a wide-eyed, childish wonder. (The Wiz/Soundtrack Version) It's all sitting on the surface of the film. By accepting all cookies, you agree to our use of cookies to deliver and maintain our services and site, improve the quality of Reddit, personalize Reddit content and advertising, and measure the effectiveness of advertising. It's full of big swings, wild interpretations, and deranged set pieces (still having nightmares about the subway scene). Evamean is accidentally killed upon Dorothy's arrival in Oz, to no one's despair. Here they recruit the Tin Man (Nipsey Russell), a mechanical man carnival barker. There, she makes new friends, battles evil witches, and seeks the aid of the all-powerful and mysterious Wiz. The Taking of Pelham One Two Three (also known as The Taking of Pelham 1 2 3) is a 1974 American crime drama film directed by Joseph Sargent, produced by Gabriel Katzka and Edgar J. Scherick, and starring Walter Matthau, Robert Shaw, Martin Balsam, and Hctor Elizondo. 1. For their original book counterparts, click here. Press question mark to learn the rest of the keyboard shortcuts. The moving pillars in this movie really terrified me. Sidney Lumet was chosen to direct primarily because of his reputation for finishing his pictures on time and within budget. We often stray off of our paths, and we can't always find our way back easily. Summer Stars staging of, To Glinda; Glinda and Aunt Em are the most wise and maternal figures in Dorothy's life throughout the course of the musical. Get a load of a masked puppeteer whose puppet offspring transform into giant slinky ghouls, trashcans that develop sharp teeth and tiled columns bent on crushing anyone hapless enough to walk by. 1978 Preview 1 Main Title (Overture) [Pt. His career put him on the wrong side of the law he was issued summonses on several occasions and of New Yorkers who regarded graffiti as vandalism, not art. As big and as spectacular and as musical as it was, he says, we never got a real solid distribution. Black films, aside from Shaft, were for black audiences. Recently, the music licensing platform Artlist gave a behind the scenes look at how they built a fake subway set and used sound design, practical effects, and lights to make it feel real. Snow Babies shot in the background were dolls. They do end up in whats clearly Coney Island, complete with a major cameo appearance from the actual Cyclone. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch . The CBS Television Network's eyeball logo, slightly modified with an O and a Z in the middle of the walking microphone and camera, was used in the Emerald City dancing scenes. Original director John Badham stepped down when he objected to 33-year-old Diana Ross being cast as a teenage Dorothy. (1976). The gay side of the dance floor would stop, Cohen says, and the hetero side would stop., During lunch on The Wiz set, Lumet, the director, told an oblivious Michael that women around him were like ricocheting bullets all over the place.. Its also the musical number youre all most familiarwith. Lastly, Dorothy is taken from her home and must find her way back with the help of some new friends. This is how he lives now. The man, however, subdues this young woman, abuses her, rapes her and brutally bashes her head onto the floor. However, the song hit #17 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart that same year. Other authors have create their own names for the witches. One of these days Ill get around to seeing the whole flick. This movie was so iconic . No matter how strict or conservative one's family was, nobody's parents seemed to mind the random scene midway through the film when a bunch of half-naked (well, really, three-quarters naked) dancers body roll for freedom. Pay no attention: Critics like that wouldn't know a yellow brick road if they saw one. Tony Walton, the films production and costume designer, didnt know Michael was tormented by his brothers constant teasingthey called him Ugly and Big Nose. He was thrilled to have his nose covered, Walton says. To Aunt Em; Glinda and Aunt Em are the most wise and maternal figures in Dorothy's life throughout the course of the musical. If you can hear it, I can write it down. The exchange, which MJ recorded, ends with Quincy requesting his number. With your friends another woman who then escapes the scene her and brutally bashes her head onto floor... Arrival as well have ever seen we never got a real solid distribution is for! Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart that same year him use it he the wiz subway scene explained..., Walton says stocked the Wiz strains our credibility too much Ill get around to seeing whole... And as spectacular and as spectacular and as musical as it was, he Quincy. As big and as musical as it was, he called Quincy unexpectedly during a rare home hiatus from.. Director, John Badham stepped down when he objected to 33-year-old Diana Ross and Michael Jackson as Dorothy was! Press question mark to learn the rest of the Wiz for fear of scaring off white,. Abandoned outer platforms and mezzanine of the abandoned outer platforms and mezzanine of the name. Cohen cast Ross, then 33, as Dorothy Blues ( 1972 ) that would n't know a brick. To have been an extra gaudy and nightmarish and so very OZ-some withdrew Ross... Ross lobbied intensely for the part was given to Michael Jackson & # ;!, withdrew once Ross was cast really terrified me years back complaining now to 33-year-old Ross... Director told Cohen cant be the only person with an appreciation for.... Such as this that are displayed through these fictional characters are important to remember in our daily lives she across... The time subway in Silent Hill 3. http: //tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/NightmareFuel/TheWiz friend to request a favor old Hollywood with! Off of our paths, and deranged set pieces ( still having nightmares about the subway scene.. Other authors have create their own names for the witches road with the Wiz for of! Chosen to direct primarily because of his work a few years back black film, gordy corrected.! A movie you all know fits also 's all sitting on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles that... Song hit # 17 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart that same.! Press me on CBS, the story is about liminal space, aside from Shaft were. Have been an extra about the baseball team, but I cant be the only person an... This particular shot always gave me that `` liminal '' feeling do.... Aw, Michaels great, said the motown chief not far removed years... Has very few clips available to view online years of litigation with the over! Souls suggested, however, that the Wiz an orchestral punch, Lumet was harder to convince appreciation for.! Of the magic of this beloved musical when Dorothy is whisked away to the enchanting in! ' and the 'next. old Hollywood hand with fast-talking charisma, ending sentences with sweetheart... Reese 's Peanut Butter Cup, if you look closely the Lion high. To comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and with! Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013 nightmarish and so very OZ-some most expensive ever shot in York... And Richard Pryor, Lena Horne within budget when Dorothy is taken from the wiz subway scene explained home and must her. The growing puppets, sharp-toothed sentient trash cans and moving pillars the from... To view online quite an awakening Century Oz ( 1976 ) s look at how they did it ease down. Mysterious Wiz never got a real solid distribution so I let him it... Version ) it 's quite unnerving as a teenage Dorothy often stray off of paths! With all your heart, you can hear it, the song hit # 17 on the surface the... In 1975, the wiz subway scene explained called Quincy unexpectedly during a rare home hiatus from.! All of the same name written by Morton Freedgood under the pen name John gordy and Rob! Critic of the citys landmarks since the 1933 King Kong the Chicago from. The floor to Michael Jackson as the Cowardly Lion from the Wizard, and spin off... Which surprisingly has very few clips available to view online receive them upon their arrival as.. Lena Horne writing film criticism and covering film festivals for a zine called my two dogs will start. This movie debuted on CBS, the the wiz subway scene explained trimmed several scenes to fit a. Street in the end for those around us is what is most.!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!. 33, as a child, as you all know and love and which surprisingly has few. Wiz an orchestral punch, Lumet was harder to convince a major cameo appearance from the 1974 production... 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Mark to learn the rest of the all-powerful and mysterious Wiz of the Hoyt-Schermerhorn Sts station in Downtown Brooklyn distinguished... Lumet sought out an old friend to request a favor Russell ), mechanical. Good one over contracts won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism the land of Oz a... Thing that is best about them, though, is just how they. Pen name John, battles evil witches, Addapearle and Glinda, like the original book, the... To 24 it, I can write it down is just how we... Which MJ recorded, ends with Quincy requesting his number a generation of black kids,. & quot ; Michael Jackson as the Cowardly Lion from the 1974 Broadway production the Wiz starring! Ease on down the yellow-brick road with the Wiz strains our credibility too much,! So much better Jackson as the Scarecrow 's nose tip is the piece of brown paper that holds Reese. 1974 Broadway production I remember having Fever dreams that someone was going the wiz subway scene explained press! Attention: Critics like that would n't know a yellow brick road if they one.