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The Wiz (1978)
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Overview
User Rating:
Your Rating:
Director:
Writers:
Release Date:
24 October 1978 (USA)
See more »
Tagline:
From the book that's an American tradition...from the smash-hit Broadway show...the entertainment of the year! See more »
Plot:
An adaption of "The Wizard of Oz" that tries to capture the essence of the African American experience. Full summary » | Full synopsis »
Plot Keywords:
Wizard
|
Teacher
|
Dog
|
Melancholy
|
New York City
See more »
Awards:
Nominated for 4 Oscars.
Another 1 win
&
7 nominations
See more »
NewsDesk:
(147 articles)
Phil Ramone obituary
(From The Guardian - TV News. 1 April 2013, 9:05 AM, PDT)
Phil Ramone obituary
(From The Guardian - Film News. 1 April 2013, 9:05 AM, PDT)
10 Best Diana Ross Tracks
(From Obsessed with Film. 28 March 2013, 1:42 AM, PDT)
(From The Guardian - TV News. 1 April 2013, 9:05 AM, PDT)
Phil Ramone obituary
(From The Guardian - Film News. 1 April 2013, 9:05 AM, PDT)
10 Best Diana Ross Tracks
(From Obsessed with Film. 28 March 2013, 1:42 AM, PDT)
User Reviews:
Just Like a Broadway Show--from the Cheap Seats
See more (136 total) »
Cast
(in credits order) (verified as complete) | Diana Ross | ... | Dorothy |
 | Michael Jackson | ... | Scarecrow |
 | Nipsey Russell | ... | Tinman |
 | Ted Ross | ... | Lion / Fleetwood Coupe de Ville |
 | Mabel King | ... | Evillene |
 | Theresa Merritt | ... | Aunt Em |
| Thelma Carpenter | ... | Miss One |
 | Lena Horne | ... | Glinda the Good |
 | Richard Pryor | ... | The Wiz (Herman Smith) |
| Stanley Greene | ... | Uncle Henry |
| Clyde J. Barrett | ... | Subway Peddler |
| Derrick Bell | ... | The Four Crows |
| Roderick-Spencer Sibert | ... | The Four Crows |
| Kashka Banjoko | ... | The Four Crows |
| Ronald 'Smokey' Stevens | ... | The Four Crows |
| Tony Brealord | ... | Gold Footman (as Tony Brealond) |
| Joe Lynn | ... | Gold Footman |
 | Clinton Jackson | ... | Green Footman |
| Charles Rodriguez | ... | Green Footman |
| Carlton Johnson | ... | Head Winkie |
| Ted Williams | ... | Munchkin #1 |
| Mabel Robinson | ... | Munchkin #2 / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir |
| Damon Pearce | ... | Munchkin #3 |
| Donna Patrice Ingram | ... | Munchkin #4 |
| Harry Madsen | ... | Cheetah, Head of the Flying Monkeys |
| Glory Van Scott | ... | Rolls Royce Lady |
| Vicki Baltimore | ... | Green Lady |
| Carlos Cleveland | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
 | Mariann Aalda | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Aaron Boddie | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Gay Faulkner | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party |
| Ted Butler | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| T.B. Skinner | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Jamie Perry | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Daphne McWilliams | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| H. Douglas Berring | ... | Aunt Em's Party (as Douglas Berring) |
| James Shaw | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
 | Johnny Brown | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Gyle Waddy | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Dorothi Fox | ... | Aunt Em's Party (as Dorothy Fox) |
| Frances Salisbury | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Beatrice Dunmore | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Traci Core | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Donald King | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Claude Brooks | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Billie Allen | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
 | Willie C. Carpenter | ... | Aunt Em's Party (as Willie Carpenter) |
| Denice Dejon | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Kevin Stockton | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| Alvin Alexis | ... | Aunt Em's Party |
| rest of cast listed alphabetically: | |||
| Adrienne Albert | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Alfa K. Anderson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Joshie Armstead | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Patti Austin | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Clare Janice Bathe | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Claude Brooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Eric Butler | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Tom Bähler | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Vivian Cherry | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kacey Cisyk | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Steve Clayton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kay Coleman | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Charles Collins | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jenny Cooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| T.J. Cooke | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Ron Dante | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Billy Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Darrell Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jules S. Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Sharon Davis | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Christopher Dean | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| William Eaton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Melvin W. Edmondson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Camille Farrell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mike Farrell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Steve Feldman | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Roberta Flack | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bobby Floyd | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Frank Floyd | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Antonia French | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Arthur French | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Nancy Gilliam | ... | Vocalist (uncredited) |
 | Robin Givens | ... | Guest at Aunt Emma's Party (uncredited) |
| Bryon Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Diva Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mike Gray | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Milt Grayson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gordon Grody | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Lani Groves | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gwen Guthrie | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Susan Hamilton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Julio Herrara | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jake Holmes | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Cissy Houston | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Rhetta Hughes | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Petra Johnson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Martina Jones | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Quincy Jones | ... | Emerald City Gold Pianist (uncredited) |
| Kenny Karen | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jerry Keller | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Christine Langner | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| David Lasley | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Yvonne Lewis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mary Lombardi | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kim Magloire | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Tommy Malcolm | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bill Marine | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Barbara Massey | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ullanda McCullough | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir / The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Debbie McDuffie | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Chuck McGruder | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| June McGruder | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Helen Miles | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Leslie Miller | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Melanie Moore | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Janice Papalos | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Janice Pendarvis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Leon Pendarvis | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Dennis Perren | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Randy Peyton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Neil Raber | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Gerrard Randall | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| David Reed | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Claudia Ricks | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ermundo Russell | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Annette Sanders | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Zachary Sanders | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Ray Simpson | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Raymond Simpson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Tamy Smith | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Renel Stafford | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Fred Stark | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Susan Stephenson | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Maeretha Stewart | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Grady Tate | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Jean Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mariama Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Mia Thomas | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Duke Thorbs | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Alfonzo Thornton | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Luther Vandross | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Bill Walker | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Dawn Walker | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Joey Ward | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Brenda White | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Beurice Whitehead | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Kenny Williams | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
 | Mollena Williams | ... | The Wiz Singers Children's Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
| Janet Wright | ... | The Wiz Singers Adult Choir (voice) (uncredited) |
Directed by | |||
| Sidney Lumet | |||
Writing credits | ||
| L. Frank Baum | (novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz") | |
| William F. Brown | (book of the musical "The Wiz") | |
| Joel Schumacher | (screenplay) | |
Produced by | |||
| Rob Cohen | .... | producer | |
| Kenneth Harper | .... | executive producer (as Ken Harper) | |
| Burtt Harris | .... | associate producer | |
| Berry Gordy | .... | executive producer (uncredited) | |
Original Music by | |||
| Charlie Smalls | |||
Cinematography by | |||
| Oswald Morris | |||
Film Editing by | |||
| Dede Allen | |||
Production Design by | |||
| Tony Walton | |||
Art Direction by | |||
| Philip Rosenberg | |||
Set Decoration by | |||
| Robert Drumheller | |||
| Edward Stewart | |||
Costume Design by | |||
| Tony Walton | |||
Makeup Department | |||
| Scott Cunningham | .... | makeup artist | |
| William A. Farley | .... | hair stylist (as William Farley) | |
| Carl Fullerton | .... | makeup artist | |
| Robert Laden | .... | makeup supervisor | |
| Ted Long | .... | hair stylist | |
| Michael R. Thomas | .... | makeup artist | |
| Allen Weisinger | .... | makeup artist | |
| Stan Winston | .... | special makeup designer | |
Production Management | |||
| Kenneth Utt | .... | production manager | |
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director | |||
| Burtt Harris | .... | first assistant director | |
| Alan Hopkins | .... | second assistant director | |
| Lewis Gould | .... | dga trainee (uncredited) | |
Art Department | |||
| Connie Brink | .... | property master | |
| Glen Engels | .... | construction grip | |
| Edward Garzero | .... | chief scenic artist | |
| John Jay Moore | .... | assistant art director | |
| Eugene Powell | .... | chief scenic artist | |
| Carlos Quiles | .... | carpenter | |
| Robert Shepherd | .... | sets and props | |
| Eoin Sprott | .... | fantasy props | |
| Richard Tautkus | .... | fantasy props | |
| Walter Way | .... | construction chief | |
| John Alvin | .... | poster artist (uncredited) | |
| Jacques Godbout | .... | carpenter (uncredited) | |
| Robert Hart | .... | construction coordinator (uncredited) | |
| John Kasarda | .... | assistant art director (uncredited) | |
| Lawrence Miller | .... | assistant art director (uncredited) | |
| Dave Weinman | .... | lead man (uncredited) | |
Sound Department | |||
| Stan Bochner | .... | sound editor | |
| Guy Costa | .... | special sound consultant | |
| Jack Fitzstephens | .... | supervising sound editor | |
| Marc Laub | .... | sound editor (as Mark M. Laub) | |
| Hal Levinsohn | .... | sound editor | |
| Al Nahmias | .... | sound editor | |
| Ronald Roose | .... | sound editor | |
| James Sabat | .... | sound mixer (as James T. Sabat) | |
| Dick Vorisek | .... | sound re-recording supervisor | |
| Louis Cerborino | .... | sound editor (uncredited) | |
| Ollie Cotton | .... | assistant sound engineer (uncredited) | |
| Kevin Lee | .... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) | |
| Dennis C. Salcedo | .... | optical sound recordist (uncredited) | |
| Skip Saylor | .... | recording engineer: horns on "Ease on Down the Road" #1 (uncredited) | |
| William S. Scharf | .... | assistant sound editor (uncredited) | |
Special Effects by | |||
| Al Griswold | .... | special effects | |
Visual Effects by | |||
| Dennis Glouner | .... | matte photographer | |
| Bill Taylor | .... | matte photographer | |
| Albert Whitlock | .... | special visual effects | |
| Syd Dutton | .... | assistant matte painter (uncredited) | |
| Henry Schoessler | .... | matte crew (uncredited) | |
| Mark Whitlock | .... | matte camera loader (uncredited) | |
Stunts | |||
| Everett Creach | .... | stunt coordinator | |
| Steve James | .... | stunts (uncredited) | |
Camera and Electrical Department | |||
| James A. Contner | .... | camera operator (as J.A. Contner) | |
| Kenneth Goss | .... | key grip | |
| Norman Leigh | .... | gaffer | |
| Hank Muller | .... | first assistant camera | |
| Jack Priestley | .... | photographer: second unit | |
| Gary Muller | .... | co-first assistant camera (uncredited) | |
| Lance Shepherd | .... | electrician (uncredited) | |
Costume and Wardrobe Department | |||
| Dona Granata | .... | assistant costume designer | |
| Gloria Gresham | .... | costume coordinator | |
| Anna Hill Johnstone | .... | costume coordinator | |
| Barbara Matera | .... | principal costume execution | |
| George Newman | .... | wardrober | |
| Marilyn Putnam | .... | wardrober | |
Editorial Department | |||
| Angelo Corrao | .... | assistant film editor | |
| Marlayna Franklin | .... | assistant film editor | |
| Hal Levinsohn | .... | assistant editor (uncredited) | |
Music Department | |||
| Mendel Balitz | .... | orchestrator | |
| Chris Boardman | .... | orchestrator | |
| Tom Bähler | .... | choir arranger (as Tom Bahler) | |
| Ralph Ferraro | .... | orchestrator | |
| Jack Fitzstephens | .... | supervising music editor | |
| Bob Florence | .... | orchestrator | |
| Bob Freedman | .... | orchestrator | |
| Richard Hazard | .... | orchestrator (as Dick Hazard) | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | associate conductor | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | music arranger | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | music supervisor | |
| Quincy Jones | .... | orchestrator | |
| Greig McRitchie | .... | orchestrator | |
| Peter T. Myers | .... | orchestrator (as Pete Meyers) | |
| Frank Owens | .... | associate conductor | |
| Frank Owens | .... | music arranger: dance arrangements | |
| Wayne Robinson | .... | orchestrator | |
| Charlie Smalls | .... | music and lyrics by | |
| Bruce Swedien | .... | music recording engineer | |
| Robert N. Tucker Jr. | .... | conductor | |
| Patti Austin | .... | choral coordinator (uncredited) | |
| John Beal | .... | musician: bass (uncredited) | |
| David Foster | .... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Dave Grusin | .... | pre-record musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Jerry Hey | .... | orchestrator (uncredited) | |
| Dick Hyman | .... | musician: keyboards (uncredited) | |
| Anthony Jackson | .... | musician: bass (uncredited) | |
| Grady Tate | .... | musician: drums (uncredited) | |
| Toots Thielemans | .... | musician: harmonica (uncredited) | |
| Jeffrey Wolf | .... | assistant music editor (uncredited) | |
Transportation Department | |||
| Raymond Hartwick | .... | transportation chief (as Ray Hartwick) | |
Other crew | |||
| Grace Blake | .... | production office coordinator | |
| Robert F. Colesberry | .... | assistant production coordinator (as Robert Colesberry) | |
| Peter Foy | .... | flying rigs | |
| Sam Goldrich | .... | auditor | |
| Kenneth Harper | .... | stage producer: New York (as Ken Harper) | |
| Carlton Johnson | .... | assistant choreographer | |
| Louis Johnson | .... | choreographer | |
| Mabel Robinson | .... | assistant choreographer | |
| Lynne Twentyman | .... | script supervisor (as Lynn T. Ward) | |
| Aaron J. Baron | .... | technical coordinator (uncredited) | |
| P. Larry Dahlstrom | .... | technical engineer (uncredited) | |
| Bernie Grundman | .... | original mastering (uncredited) | |
| Peter Maiorino | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
| Mitchell Plotkin | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
| Tom Razzano | .... | location manager (uncredited) | |
| Lynda Van Damm | .... | assistant production accountant (uncredited) | |
| George Walker | .... | technician (uncredited) | |
Production Companies
- Universal Pictures (as Universal, An MCA Company)
- Motown Productions (as A Motown Production)
- Universal Pictures (1978) (USA) (theatrical)
- Universal Home Entertainment (1999) (USA) (DVD)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1980) (Finland) (theatrical)
- Cinema International Corporation (CIC) (1979) (Netherlands) (theatrical)
- Argentina Video Home (19??) (Argentina) (VHS)
- CIC Vídeo (Brazil) (VHS)
- Columbia Broadcasting System (CBS) (1980) (USA) (TV) (broadcast premiere)
- DiscoVision (1981) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
- MCA/Universal Home Video (1993) (USA) (video) (laserdisc)
- Universal Pictures Benelux (2007) (Netherlands) (DVD)
- Universal Studios Home Entertainment (2010) (USA) (DVD) (Blu-ray)
- Yleisradio (YLE) (1984) (Finland) (TV)
- Scott Barrie thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Bill Blass thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Stephen Burrows' World thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Oscar de la Renta thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Halston thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Kamali thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Zoran thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Kolodzie thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Ralph Lauren thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Mary McFadden thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Alixandre Furs thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- Renaldo Sanchez Furs thanks: Emerald City Fashions
- The Louis Johnson Dance Theatre dancers
- Dawn Animal Agency Toto owned and trained by (as Dawn Animal Agency of N.Y.)
- Suzuki motorcycle furnished by
- Vajra Incorporated Lightflex equipment
- Congoleum The Yellow Brick Road created by
- Kaufman Astoria Studios filmed at (as The Astoria Studios)
- Astroland Park, Coney Island filmed at: Amusement park sequence
- Cherokee Studios music recorded at (uncredited)
- MCA Records soundtrack (uncredited)
Additional Details
Also Known As:
See more »
Parents Guide:
Runtime:
134 min | Finland:136 min (uncut version) | Finland:118 min (cut version) | UK:128 min
Country:
Language:
Color:
Color (Technicolor)
Aspect Ratio:
1.85 : 1 See more »
Sound Mix:
Dolby (35 mm prints) | 70 mm 6-Track (70 mm prints)
Certification:
Argentina:Atp | Australia:G | Chile:TE | UK:U | USA:G | West Germany:6 | Singapore:PG | Netherlands:AL | Finland:K-12 (uncut) (1979) | Finland:S (heavily cut) (1980) | Netherlands:6 (new rating) | Peru:PT | Sweden:11
Filming Locations:
Company:
Did You Know?
Trivia:
Original director John Badham was fired when he objected to Diana Ross, then 33 years old, being cast as the 14-year-old Dorothy. Though in the movie her role was changed to a 24-year-old kindergarten school teacher.See more »
Goofs:
Continuity: After Dorothy is awakened by the Tin Man's tears, she sits up and wipes her face with both hands. In the next shot, however, when Toto awakens, Dorothy is still sleeping because her hands and arms are still down.See more »
Quotes:
Movie Connections:
Featured in "Ebert Presents: At the Movies: Episode #2.21" (2011)See more »
Soundtrack:
What Would I Do If I Could Feel?See more »
FAQ
Who is the choreographer?See more »
See more (136 total) »
Message Boards
Discuss this movie with other users on IMDb message board for The Wiz (1978) See more »Recommendations
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I just watched this for the first time, I've was expecting a true spectacle of "bad" cinema. I was surprised to find there is a decent movie here.
Some people have remarked Diana Ross was too old to play Dorothy, OK, well, so was Judy Garland. True. There's really nothing wrong with this musical--The songs are excellent, performed by some great talents. The production design is spectacular (maybe a little dated, but still something to look at). The sets are a little nightmarish looking, true, but I liked that. I reminded me of "Return of Oz", a favorite of mine too. The real problem with this movie is the damn direction and cinematography.
What were they thinking? The Munchkin scene is not only lit horribly (too dark!), but all the musical numbers seem like they're just comprised of master shots. Very few close ups of dancers, other singers, and even main characters. During the "Ease on Down the Road" number Lumet has us staring at Diana Ross and Michael Jackson's back from far away in the distance for two minutes. It felt like I was watching this movie from the cheap seats. Thus, I always felt distanced from the characters and situations, and just couldn't get into the movie.
I read Sidney Lumet's book "Making Movies" and I remember him writing in detail about shooting to get proper coverage. What happened here?