‘Wizard of Oz’ coming to theaters in high-def

By JOHN BENSON

vindicator correspondent

Toto, we’re not in 1939 anymore.

That’s what “The Wizard of Oz” character Dorothy would say regarding the special 70th anniversary presentation of the film classic taking place at 7 p.m. Wednesday in hundreds of movie theaters across the nation, including the Cinemark Tinseltown USA in Boardman. Entirely remastered for the first time in high-definition, the special “The Wizard of Oz” event shows in new light what a wonderful wiz he was.

“The movie is a classic. and there will be never-before-seen content shown in movie theaters for one night only in high-definition,” said Fathom Events Vice President Dan Diamond. “So it’s an opportunity for families to bring their kids and experience this true American treasure in a way they can’t anywhere else.”

The presentation begins with an introduction by classic-film historian and Turner Classic Movies host Robert Osborne, who will share facts and stories about the timeless Judy Garland movie. In addition, this special in-theater event includes an exclusive cut of “To Oz! The Making of a Classic.” The documentary offers audiences a unique peek into the Land of Oz through interviews with original Munchkin actors, an audio outtake of “If I Only Had a Brain” with Ray Bolger and Garland, home-movie footage and unique insight into the movie’s music, costumes and special effects.

“We’ve been doing special events in movie theaters over the course of the last seven years to really have a broad footprint in movie theaters across the United States,” Diamond said. “This idea was really born out of making use of the world’s first and the nation’s largest digitally interconnected movie theater network. It has three founding movie theater circuits in Regal, AMC and Cinemark movie theaters.

“So we can basically send content primarily during nonpeak movie hours where fans of all different types can come and enjoy a convenient, unique, one-of-a-kind experience. We’ve done everything from concerts with The Rolling Stones and Garth Brooks to the Metropolitan Opera’s ongoing series and the 25th anniversary of ‘The Blues Brothers’ movie. Now it’s the 70th anniversary of ‘The Wizard of Oz,’ which we think will be just a spectacular program.

Based out of Colorado, Fathom Events has linked up the aforementioned theater chains with high-tech equipment that uses a specific proprietary satellite channel to stream its special feature presentations. Speaking of the high-def showing, Diamond pointed out that while the new, recently released Warner Bros remastered “The Wizard of Oz” Blu-ray disc boasts a high-quality viewing, the experience is nothing like what movie theatergoers will enjoy at the special 70th anniversary presentation.

“The last time it was seen in movie theaters was 1998, so this is a chance for families to gather together and come to the movie theaters and experience what is considered by many as being one of the greatest American film classics,” Diamond said. “I think it’s something that everybody should see on the big screen. That’s where it began, and it’s evolved to this point now to where it’s taken on an entirely new dimension through the advances of technology.

“And it’s never been created in this format before, so this will be the first time anyone will get a chance to really see it in a way that would – for lack of a better comparison – be more like today’s standards of technology.”

Tickets are available at participating theater box offices and at www.FathomEvents.com.