INGLEWOOD TALKIES FEATURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 September 1940, Page 3

INGLEWOOD TALKIES FEATURE.

"WIZARD OF OZ" IN TECHNICOLOUR. Successfully combining for the first time adult and juvenile appeal in a motion picture fantasy, "The Wizard of Oz" comes to the Inglewood Talkies tonight and to-morrow night. Hollywood believes that "The Wizard of Oz" basically served as the ideal fantasy for such an opportunity. The hook has been read by eighty millions since it was written in 1900 and has always had as many grown-up readers as children. L. Frank Baum wrote to entertain children and to give grown-ups philosophy which would delight them. This has been transferred to the screen. Producer Mervyn LeRoy increased this all-family popularity by making the picture one hundred per cent. musical with catchy tunes and clever lyrics. He added technicolour and amazing "magic" which will intrigue audiences of all ages. He sought reality by keeping make-ups in character, but natural so that all stars could be recognised easily. Lastly, he awarded the direction to Victor Fleming. famed for "Captains Courageous" and "Test Pilot." Featured in the picture are Judy Garland as Dorothy, Frank Morgan as the Wizard. Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Jack Haley as the Tin Woodman, Bert Lahr as the Cowardly Lion, Billie Burke as Glinda the Good Witch, Margaret Hamilton as the Wicked Witch, Charley Grapewin as Uncle Henry, Pat Walshe as Nikko and Clara Blandick as Aunt Em.