‘The Wizard of Oz’: Will it be a great theme?

This Homecoming, the junior class is tasked with incorporating their theme “The Wizard of Oz” into a successful quad-day.

Made  almost 80 years ago, “The Wizard of Oz” movie is still as magical as it was when it was released in 1939. This technicolor phenomenon is not just for children; high school students and adults enjoy it as well.

From the prevalence of Dorothy halloween costumes to the continuing popularity of classic songs like “Somewhere Over the Rainbow,” “The Wizard of Oz” remains culturally important.

After watching the film, we saw it succeeds most in depicting a fantasy world of good and evil. With a combination of an ecstatic cast, emotional music and a heartfelt story, the film, an adaptation of the children’s novel “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” by Frank Baum, remains one of the most well-known family productions in film history.

A young Judy Garland is a perfect fit for Dorothy, an extremely iconic female role as she pursues her hero’s journey. Garland was a skillful actress and a gifted singer whose voice was well suited to the emotional music of the production.

Additionally, Jack Haley's Tin Woodman, Bert Lahr's Cowardly Lion, Ray Bolger's Strawman and Frank Morgan's Wizard add perfect touches of humor that lighten the dark story line.

Intent on seeking out the aid of the mythical Wizard of Oz to get back to Kansas, Dorothy sets off on a light-hearted adventure along the yellow-brick road. Along the way, she meets the Cowardly Lion, Tin Woodman and Strawman who all agree to join Dorothy on her quest.

Although the characters may seem a little bit comical and unbelievable, we found that each one of Dorothy’s new friends possesses a critical flaw that is important and unique to each person, animal or tinman. Because of this, we were drawn in by the emotional value and connection with the characters on screen.

With its famous plot twist at the end of the film, we were left  with a satisfied and content feeling when we understood the small but powerful message the film delivers: You already have everything you need inside you. “The Wizard of Oz” unfolds to become a near unforgettable and classic tale for mature and younger viewers alike.

The junior class Homecoming skit will include many well-known aspects of the film, such as the comical violent apple-slinging trees. Additionally, the film provides many opportunities for creative decorating, such as the iconic yellow brick road and the Wizard of Oz’s majestic green castle. As a result of the  movie’s many well-known scenes and characters, it provides exceptional material for both script writers and dance choreographers.

The theme also gives students a lot of costume creativity in depicting the film’s famous characters, such as Tin Woodman and Cowardly Lion. With plenty of playful and comical imagery throughout the film, “The Wizard of Oz” is arguably one of the best choices of classic film themes for this year’s junior class Homecoming.