I took a trip down memory lane yesterday afternoon and saw The Wiz with Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, and Richard Pryor. Watching it now: it seemed rather ahead of it's time.
There is one thing that hasn't changed since this movie was made in the 70s. Diana Ross was too old to play Dorothy. Sorry, it was confirmed in my mind when she was kicking her silver slippers in her attempt to get home. I like that the story takes place in New York City. My daughter didn't recognize Michael Jackson, but I still think the motorcycle monkeys were the bomb; Pryor was good as The Wiz (even though his role was slow), and Evilene's throne and her song, "No Bad News" were memorable scenes. I also loved Jackson's songs, "You Can't Win" and "Ease On Down The Road."
All I know is that when I was my daughter's age, seeing a black version of The Wizard of Oz, was very life-altering for me as an artist.. Making a movie for us was genius. It was a film most African Americans could relate to. My daughters loved it. For one afternoon, I felt I was a kid again. Thanks Motown and Q.For those of you under 30, if you haven't see it: go see it.
Posted By: Marsha Jones
Monday, January 10th 2011 at 1:50PM
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