As a child, I can vividly remember the magic that unfolded each year during the holiday season, and one of the most enchanting moments was when The Wizard of Oz graced our television screens. This 1939 classic, with its timeless characters and captivating storyline, has become an integral part of my Christmas tradition.
As we bid farewell to Thanksgiving, we’re speeding towards the heart of Christmas – a time when the airwaves are filled with Christmas movies! From now until Christmas Eve, you’ll find an abundance of seasonal programming on TV networks and streaming services. Among these offerings are timeless classics, such as The Wizard of Oz. This 1939 film adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s 1900 novel, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, has been a beloved favorite for many, becoming almost synonymous with the Christmas season, much like Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer. However, unlike other holiday staples, The Wizard of Oz doesn’t have any direct links to the festive season. This raises questions about why it’s considered a holiday classic and whether or not it truly belongs there.
Discussing whether “The Wizard of Oz” qualifies as a Christmas movie requires considering several aspects. For instance, it’s important to understand how the film became a holiday staple on television and what characteristics define a Christmas movie while exploring why this film seems so fitting during the holidays. To make our judgment, let’s start from the beginning. Contrary to popular belief, “The Wizard of Oz” was never meant to be a holiday movie when it was first released in theaters. Directed by Victor Fleming and starring Judy Garland, the film premiered at the Orpheum Theatre in Green Bay, Wisconsin on August 10th, 1939, and opened nationwide on August 25th of that year—definitely not during the holiday season. So, it can’t be connected to “Christmas in July.” However, the film’s connection with fall began in 1956, specifically on November 3rd, when CBS first broadcast it. This marked the first time a Hollywood film was shown uncut in prime time on a television network across the country.
The Wizard of Oz Shifts to Fall Broadcast
Following the successful TV debut of The Wizard of Oz in 1956, it didn’t reappear on television until 1959 when it came back to CBS, but not in November. From 1959 to 1962, the movie was shown on the network during December. However, starting from a spring air date (which lasted until the 1990s) and occasional changes of networks, the groundwork for a holiday classic was laid. Since 1999, The Wizard of Oz has been broadcast around Thanksgiving and in the days leading up to Christmas when it appears on television. Being shown during the general seasonal period near Christmas and around the Thanksgiving holiday, where families often come together for entertainment, has solidified the film’s “Christmas movie” identity by association.
Watching “The Wizard of Oz” during the holiday season might not seem like a traditional choice due to its theme and plot. However, the comfort of routine can make even an unconventional film a welcome addition amidst the busy and sometimes stressful holidays. In this classic movie, Dorothy Gale from Kansas runs away when her dog Toto is threatened by the local sheriff. After being convinced to return home by a fortune teller, she is carried off by a tornado and ends up in Oz. Here, she embarks on a journey to reach the Emerald City to find help returning home. Despite encounters with witches and wizards, Dorothy eventually makes it back to Kansas, realizing that her power to return home was within her all along. The film concludes with Dorothy awakening in her own bed, grateful to be home among her loved ones.
Anything Can Be a Christmas Movie if You Believe
Even though The Wizard of Oz doesn’t explicitly revolve around Christmas, it holds an appealing charm during the holiday season. This is because Christmas is typically associated with family reunions, and many people travel “home” to be with relatives they don’t often see or live near throughout the year. Moreover, The Wizard of Oz incorporates a magical element that resembles Santa Claus in a way; although the Wizard is eventually revealed to be just a man from Kansas who was also transported to Oz, prior to this revelation, he grants wishes for Dorothy’s companions – the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion. This mirrors Santa Claus distributing gifts to well-behaved children. When combined with the annual broadcast of the film, these factors contribute to The Wizard of Oz being considered a holiday classic.
The main point is whether “The Wizard of Oz” should be considered a Christmas movie. Many films are debated as holiday movies, such as “Batman Returns” and “Die Hard,” but there isn’t a strict definition for a “Christmas movie.” Some movies are made specifically for the holidays, while others become associated with them over time due to their cultural impact. So, is “The Wizard of Oz” a Christmas movie? Not necessarily, but as people spend the holiday season sharing memories and embracing wonder, a film like “The Wizard of Oz” could certainly fit the bill.
The Wizard of Oz is available to stream on Max.
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2024-11-30 05:39