The Wizard of Oz (1939)

Directed by: Victor Fleming

Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Jack Haley

While trying to escape a twister and enter her aunt and uncle’s storm cellar, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland)—a small town girl from Kansas—and her dog Toto are swept up by the tornado and land in Oz, a strange village.  It just so happens that they have landed on (and killed) the Wicked Witch of the East, a cruel woman who was feared by all of Oz.  Greeted by Glinda the Good Witch of the North (Billie Burke) and a herd of Munchkins, Dorothy learns of the death of the witch and of Oz.  Meanwhile, the Wicked Witch of the West (Margaret Hamilton) vows revenge on Dorothy for killing her sister.  Afterwards, Glinda advises Dorothy to make her way to the Emerald City by following the yellow brick road.  There she can find the Wizard of Oz (Frank Morgan) who can grant her wish to go back home to Kansas.  On her way to Emerald City, Dorothy meets a Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), a Tin Man (Jack Haley), and a Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr).  They accompany her on her journey, and she helps them to get their wishes as well.

Over the years, The Wizard of Oz has become a permanent fixture in pop culture and one of the most celebrated films of all time.  From groundbreaking visuals for its time to classic songs that can never be forgotten, it is truly an iconic musical that everyone young and old should see.  The Wizard of Oz is good old-fashioned storytelling at its best.  This magical fairytale will take you on a journey full of love, laughs, and great music.  At Sobriety Test, we do realize that The Wizard of Oz is a bit too old to typically qualify for a movie bucket list, but no musical bucket list would be complete without the most famous musical of all time.