The Wizard of Oz may be one of the most famous works of cinematic fantasy ever created, but it has taken nearly seven decades for the actors who played the Munchkins to get their own star on Hollywood’s Walk of Fame. Ted Bulthaup, a Chicago cinema owner, became friends with one of the former Munchkin actors several years ago and couldn’t believe they hadn’t been awarded their own star, so he started a campaign which attracted support from heavyweight showbiz figures like Steven Spielberg and George Lucas. Yesterday seven of the nine surviving Munchkins – now thought to be the only living actors left from the fabled film production – arrived on Hollywood Boulevard in a horse-drawn carriage to unveil the star which celebrates their contribution to a piece of cinematic history.
Last Christmas a restored version of the film was released in cinemas and I made a point of going along; I hadn’t watched it all the way through in so long, probably because we’re so used to seeing the film screened on TV during holidays we don’t really pay attention to it. But watching it in a cinema, from start to finish, properly, letting yourself be carried away in a glorious technicolour fantasy, you’re reminded why it has remained so popular all these decades. If you have a little one, too young to read L Frank Baum’s original enchanting novels I’d also recommend the utterly gorgeous Wonderful World of Oz, adapted by David Chauvel and Enrique Fernandez which re-interprets the tale in a beautifully colourful graphic novel form kids will love (and so will adults if they are honest).
Thu, Nov 22, 2007
Books, Film, TV and radio