This documentary short focuses on the rise of "The Wizard of Oz" to the level of a classic film. When the movie came out in 1939, it barely covered its costs at the box office. That was a year of great competition among more than two dozen films. The 10 nominated for best film all are considered great films many decades later.
"Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz" tells how the movie has become a classic, after a mediocre debut year. MGM rereleased it in 1949 to much greater success. Still, it didn't catch on as a lasting favorite until TV aired the movie. The first time was in 1956 and then again in 1959.
Some 45 million people watched the movie on mostly black and white TV sets in 1959, but from then on, it became a holiday classic. Of course, by the late 20th century, it was recognized as a classic fantasy film for family viewing any time of the year.
"Because of the Wonderful Things it Does: The Legacy of Oz" tells how the movie has become a classic, after a mediocre debut year. MGM rereleased it in 1949 to much greater success. Still, it didn't catch on as a lasting favorite until TV aired the movie. The first time was in 1956 and then again in 1959.
Some 45 million people watched the movie on mostly black and white TV sets in 1959, but from then on, it became a holiday classic. Of course, by the late 20th century, it was recognized as a classic fantasy film for family viewing any time of the year.