ΤΗΕ WIZ

The Wiz


Motown / Universal, 1978, Color, 133 minutes, ***

Released October, 1978



The fabulous land of Oz rocks and dazzles in this glittering film version of the Broadway hit, a modernized, urban rendition of the Hollywood classic, with Diana Ross as a Manhattan schoolteacher easin' on down the road with the Scarecrow (Michael Jackson), the Tinman (Nipsey Russell) and the Lion (Ted Ross). With Mabel King, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor as the Wiz.



Many people have asked "What is the point of this film?". Of course a film doesn't have to have any point at all to be entertaining, and this film definitely is that! It's an all-black cast sorta funky and humorous version of "The Wizard of Oz". It's quite stylish, colorful (no pun intended), and enjoyable, but leaves one wondering just why it was made. Is this the way ordinary Black folks would interpret the story? I don't really think so. Is it a spoof? It doesn't seem to be. But, here it is. It's fun, it sparkles... so just watch it and try not to analyze it too much. Think of it as sort of a Motown Gavotte.



Seen today, it is even more fun than it was when it first came out. It's fun to see these super-talented people again!


Producer: Rob Cohen

Associate Producer: Burtt Harris

Executive Producer: Ken Harper

Director: Sidney Lumet

Screenplay: Joel Schumacher (based on the stage musical by William F. Brown and Charlie Smalls, based on "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum)

Musical Score: Quincy Jones

Song Score: Quincy Jones, Ashford and Simpson, Charlie Smalls, Luther Vandross

Choreography: Louis Johnson

Production Design: Tony Walton

Art Direction: Philip Rosenberg

Set Decoration: Robert Drumheller, Edward Stewart

Costume Design: Tony Walton, Miles White

Special Effects: Albert Whitlock, Al Griswold and Stan Winston

Cinematography: Oswald Morris

Film Editing: Dede Allen



Awards: Academy Award nominations for Best Cinematography, Best Song Score, Best Art Direction and Best Costume Design



Cast: Diana Ross [Dorothy], Michael Jackson [Scarecrow], Nipsey Russell [Tinman], Ted Ross [Lion], Richard Pryor [The Wiz], Lena Horne [Glinda the Good], Mabel King [Evilene], Thelma Carpenter [Miss One], Theresa Merritt [Aunt Em], Stanley Greene [Uncle Henry], Clyde Barrett [Subway Peddler], Carlton Johnson [Head Winkie], Harry Madsen [Cheetah], Glory Van Scott [Rolls Royce Lady], Vicki Baltimore [Green Lady], Derrick Bell, Roderick Spencer Sibert, Kashka Banjoko, Ronald Smokey Stevens [Crows], Tony Brealond, Joe Lynn [Gold Footmen], Clinton Jackson, Charles Rodriguez [Green Footmen]



Musical Numbers: Main Title (Overture, Part One); Overture (Part Two); The Feeling That We Have (Theresa Merritt and Family Choir); Can I Go On? (Diana Ross); Glinda's Theme (Snow Babies); He's the Wizard (Thelma Carpenter and The Munchkins); Soon as I Get Home / Home (Diana Ross and Toots Thielemans on harmonica); You Can't Win (Michael Jackson and Crows); Ease on Down the Road #1 (Michael Jackson and Diana Ross); What Would I Do If I Could Feel? (Nipsey Russell and Carousel Girls); Slide Some Oil to Me (Nipsey Russell and The Dixieland Band); Ease on Down the Road #2 (Nipsey Russell, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross); (I'm A) Mean Ole Lion (Ted Ross); Ease on Down the Road #3 (Ted Ross, Nipsey Russell, Michael Jackson, Diana Ross); Poppy Girls (Anthony Jackson, Bass); Be a Lion (Diana Ross, Ted Ross, Nipsey Russell, Michael Jackson); End of the Yellow Brick Road (Toots Thielemans on harmonica); Emerald City Sequence (Richard Tee on piano, Emerald City Citizens, Richard Pryor); So You Wanted to See the Wizard (dialogue by Richard Pryor); Is This What Feeling Gets (Dorothy's Theme) (Diana Ross); Don't Nobody Bring Me No Bad News (Mabel King and The Winkies); A Brand New Day (Everybody Rejoice) (Cast); Believe in Yourself (Dorothy) (Diana Ross); The Good Witch Glinda (dialogue by Richard Pryor and Lena Horne); Believe in Yourself (Glinda) (Lena Horne); Home (Diana Ross)