Why does the Wizard of Oz stand up so well against the passage of time?

Because it’s magic.

I think it would be difficult to find a movie with more quotes that have found their way into the popular vernacular.

Because it is a timeless story

I’m not sure, but I recall loving it when I was young. It seemed to be on tv every year, and it was an event in my house. For most of my early childhood, however, we only had a black-and-white tv, so I had no idea that it started off black and white and turned to color. :) “follow the grey brick road…”

Oh, @stanleybmanly. Met thinks t’would not be difficult at all.
Now bring me a shrubbery!

@DoNotKnowMuch It was a yearly event at our house too. That and Peter Pan with Mary Martin. And then along came Frosty and the Grinch and Rudolf at Christmas.

For my generation, it’s childhood nostalgia, like it was for my mother, and now for my niece. It began as magic and a good story, then became an institution. I think it’s different for everybody. I personally wait on the edge of my chair to call out with the wicked witch to “RELEASE THE FLYING MONKEYS!!!”

For others it may be the pathos and symbolism of a tin man in search of a heart or a lion in search of courage, a girl on the edge of womanhood in search of place in this world and the realization that after the passage, you really can never go home again. Or the realization that there really might be an allegorical wizard behind the curtain. Or for others, it may simply be the pretty red pumps.

Or maybe it’s just Judy, an amazingly talented kid with a startling voice who hadn’t even reached her prime yet.

Nostalgia.

Some years back I took a class from an expert on mythology and lore, a disciple of Joseph Campbell, who used the storyline of The Wizard of Oz to illustrate the Jungian archetypes: the orphan, the mentor, the shape-shifter, the call to adventure, the ordeal, etc. Campbell wrote about what he called the monomyth and how versions of it play out in the mythology of all cultures. It resonates with something deep in our species—something archetypal, in fact—in symbology that transmits wisdom from generation to generation.

Even though later scholars have discredited some of Campbell’s theories, I think there’s much understanding to be gained from his work.

The instructor in the class said that the 1939 film version of The Wizard of Oz is the most widely known movie on the planet. People everywhere are familiar with it. That’s something that goes far beyond nostalgia and 20th-century American culture.

Well it’s a classic and one of the first pieces of fantasy people of my generation were exposed to on film. It is also one of Judy Garland’s most iconic roles. Oh and has the iconic musical number “somewhere over the rainbow.”

And if you have ever taken the time to read the original novels the movie and other movies were based on, it’s simply outstanding.

I’m a huge fantasy nerd. Love fantasy :)

It’s an acid trip caught on film.

@Darth_Algar You should watch Return to Oz, now that’s an acid trip haha

A while back, I settled in with the popcorn to watch Oz the Great and Powerful, because frankly, I will grab at any excuse
to stare at Mila Kunis. The movie surprised me in that I actually brcame involved with the 3 witch plot.

I prefer Chitty Chitty Bang Bang, although I thrilled my mates at school with my adorable impression of the cowardly lion

@ucme I always did impressions of teachers in school haha

I had a varied repertoire, still do, I do accents particularly well

Some good responses here, but @stanleybmanly, I’m going to disagree with you on the “most popular quotes” claim.

I think Casablanca has WoO beat all hollow on quotable lines:
“Of all the gin joints, in all the towns, in all the world, she walks into mine.”
“We’ll always have Paris.”
“I’m shocked! – shocked, I tell you! – to learn that there’s gambling going on in this establishment!”
“Play it, Sam.”
“Who are you really, and what were you before?”
“If that plane leaves the ground and you’re not with him, you’ll regret it. Maybe not today. Maybe not tomorrow, but soon and for the rest of your life.”
“I’m no good at being noble, but it doesn’t take much to see that the problems of three little people don’t amount to a hill of beans in this crazy world.”
“Round up the usual suspects.”
“I think this is the start of a beautiful friendship.”
“Here’s looking at you, kid.”

Oz has some memorable quotes, but its quotes don’t have that kind of currency.

Nostalgia. It’s not my favorite as far as classic movies for children. Although, when you see Wicked on stage (which I love) and all the references and the set it makes having scene The Wizard of Oz totally worth it.

There are no real time stamps within it. No cell phones, television sets, radios, bell bottoms, etc. It is completely era free.

Well, that’s not quite right, @Here2_4. It does include at least one period automobile, as well as a bicycle. (I’ll admit that the bicycle is less period-specific than the motor vehicle, but bikes weren’t popular in this country until after the turn of the previous century.)

True, but hardly notable.

And don’t forget ankle socks with low-heeled pumps. Not sure when that was ever in style, but it sure isn’t now.

@CWOTUS you’re right about Casablanca. It’s a tough one to top.

In addition to many of the things stated above, I always enjoyed the synchronicity of the timing when Wizard of Oz was played silently while listening to Pink Floyd’s Dark Side of the Moon. According to pre-digital lore, when the lion stops roaring, you drop the needle.

Yeah, strictly synchronicity, but we were young, bored and stoned. Apparently, some other folks have wa-a-a-ay too much time on their hands.

@Yetanotheruser, that’s about as weird an answer as I’ve seen to anything around here lately. My compliments.

@Jeruba Actually, it was quite a big deal at one time. I think it was the weed.

Many in my social circles at that time were into Pink Floyd. Most of the same people (myself included) were pot smokers and occasionally acid droppers. It was presented to me something like this:

“Hey, Y, have you ever seen The Wizard of Oz?”
“Yes. A long time ago.”
“Well have you ever seen it stoned?”
“Noo…”
“Well, next time you see it,rent the VHS. Roll up a joint, put “Dark Side of the Moon” on the turntable. Light the joint, start the tape (volume all the way down). Wait for the MGM lion to roar, then place the needle on the turntable. Then kick back and enjoy.”

Thanks, @Jeruba!

Why wasn’t I clued in on The Dark Side of the Moon and the Wizard of Oz???

Probably because you weren’t hanging out with stoners in the seventies.

I’m assuming…

You assumeth wrong, @Yetanotheruser! I remember watching football and some movies with the TV off and the stereo on. It was funny. I think. But I don’t remember the Wizard of Oz…now I’m just dying to try it…..but I don’t smoke weed any more and I know it just wouldn’t be the same. :(

@Dutchess_III Sorry about the assumption. It can still be fun without the 420, of course.

No worries. .... What did you say? Giggle. I forget. HA HA HA HA HAHA HAHAHAA!!

I used to have several decorative, battery operated clocks that I didn’t change the batteries on. When my son moved out of the house, over the course of a several weeks I realized he’d set all my clocks to 4:20.

I don’t smoke anything but now I’m curious about the Dark Side of the Moon and the Wizard of Oz thing.