That Old Guy with the Beard

Whilst watching “Lynch / Oz” three weeks ago, I realized that not only did I not own a copy of this, I hadn’t seen it since I was in Grade School. So I fixed that.

My goodness, the number of films this has influenced is nearly incalculable. The message of how you lack for nothing if you only look within yourself is excellent. If you haven’t seen it lately — or even if you have — do so.

Mandatory viewing, no matter your age or cinema viewing experience.

★★★★★

#review #CineMastodon #iOwnThis

Aug 4, 2024 at 6:18amWeb
Show threadThat Old Guy with the BeardAug 4, 2024
In 1955, probably in an attempt to get people away from their tee-vee sets, MGM thought it would be smart to release a ‘W-I-D-E S-C-R-E-E-N’ version of the film. Thus, the squarish ‘Academy Aspect’ of 1.37:1 had the top and bottom edges chopped to make it a 1.85:1 image. The result is below: “Professor Marvel talks to Dorothy / sees her future in a crystal ball” and “Dorothy talks to the Scarecrow / Toto joins her!” Bah!
Show threadGiflianAug 4, 2024
@IanAMartin NOBODY crops out Toto
Show threadThat Old Guy with the BeardAug 4, 2024

@giflian Terry (as Toto) got paid more each day than the human beings playing the Munchkins combined. It would be best to keep the dog in the shot to get all the worth of that pay-out.

Also, SHE’S AT A FORK IN THE ROAD!! IS THIS NOT IMPORTANT…‽

Show threadGiflianAug 4, 2024
@IanAMartin according to Robert Frost, not really
Show threadThat Old Guy with the BeardAug 4, 2024
@giflian Ah. I just got to the IMDb Trivia entry that says they each were paid $50/six-day-week, while Terry got $125/week. So, still an absurd inequity.
Show threadThat Old Guy with the BeardAug 4, 2024

@giflian Ignoring, obviously, the ‘two paths diverged in a wood’ reference, which I only just got.

I’m old and slow, what can I say?