September 30, 2009 THE VILLADOM TIMES II & IV • Page 17 Dorothy and company never looked better by Dennis Seuling “The Wizard of Oz” opened in movie theaters on Aug. 25, 1939. This movie was M-G-M’s response to the enormous success of Walt Disney’s “Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs,” the first full-length animated film. Metro decided to make L. Frank Baum’s classic children’s tale as a liveaction picture with up-and-coming starlet Judy Garland in the role of Dorothy. The film was reasonably successful, but it was the frequent television airings beginning in 1956 that really endeared it to people of all ages. Warner Home Video is celebrating the film’s seventieth anniversary with a spectacular restored Blu-ray release including a wealth of bells and whistles. “The Wizard of Oz 70th Anniversary Ultimate Collector’s Edition” is a pleasure to behold. Like most people, I have seen “Wizard” many times over the years, on TV, in theaters, on VHS, DVD, and now Blu-ray -- but never like this. The Technicolor has never looked more brilliant and high definition has made the film all the more dazzling. Individual hair strands, details of the Munchkins’ costumes, corn stalks in the Scarecrow’s cornfield, the expansive backdrops, and the ruby slippers stand out in sharp definition. A re-mastered Dolby Digital 5.1 soundtrack provides added listening pleasure as the famous songs and great score accompany Dorothy’s journey through Oz. The Ultimate Blu-ray Edition collects all the bonus material from earlier DVD releases and offers over four hours worth of new material in the four-disc set. Among the new offerings is a sing-along track; featurettes on director Victor Fleming and the actors who portrayed the Munchkins; two 1914 L. Frank Baum-produced silent films, “The Jack Haley, Ray Bolger, Judy Garland, and Bert Lahr in ‘The Wizard of Oz.’ Magic Cloak of Oz” and “The Patchwork Girl of Oz;” the made-for-TV movie “The Dreamer of Oz,” starring John Ritter and Annettte O’Toole, which provides the story of (continued on Crossword page) �������� �������� ��������� �������� ������������ �������������� ������������� ��������������������������������������������� Sunday & Monday NFL Ticket on Direct TV ���������� ���������� � �������������� Football Menu & Bar Specials Regular Menu also available �������� ��������� ������������������������ �������������� ����������������� �������������� ������������������� � �� ����������������������������������������� �� �������������������� �������������������� ��������������������� �������������� ������������� � �� HAPPY HOU R �� ������� �������������������������������������������������������������������� ������������������������������������������������ 9-16-09 Ester/Janine