My wife and kids are watching The Wiz while i'm working or at least trying to work. I've been thinking about world-building for some random reason or another. Reading The Lord of the Rings for example, can give you a very clear sense of how the different languages develop across time....but there is absolutely no discussion about either economy or state formation.
(What the hell does this have to do with The Wiz?)
The only part I caught was the introduction of the Wicked Witch. Don't go bringing me NO BAD NEWS.
We have a very clear idea of WHY homegirl is the Wicked Witch. Remember, the world of Oz (in the Wiz) is decidedly urban. Homegirl is feared because she's got them damn munchkins WORKING. Ain't had no lunchbreak in MONTHS.
I am not sure I recall why the Wicked Witch (in the traditional movie) had juice.
On the other hand, the Wiz? He's got them mugs so caught up, they're engaging in widespread fashion changes every two minutes!
An overlooked classic.
I'm not talking about The Wizard of Oz...I'm talking about The Wiz.
But the link you set out made the tie even deeper. Where The Wizard of Oz was about painting this gleeming portrait of urban industrial society, and perhaps here the Wicked Witch becomes the rural enemy of urban progress.
The Wiz was about taking that chrome cover off.
Posted by: Lester Spence at August 13, 2005 11:27 AMIt's been about 20-25 years since i saw the wiz...i saw it on broadway as a young fella and don't really remember much except for stephanie mills bringin' the vocals from DEEEEEEP...a wooooooooorrrrrrld fulllll of looooooove, like your's, like mine. to my recollection, the story was the same.
Posted by: Temple3 at August 13, 2005 02:17 PMThe Wiz is one of the first movies I remember my mother taking me to while she was in college. the flying monkies had me going for a minute there.
the Emerald City Sequence, as it's known on the album, is actually kinda hot. i listen to that joint on the regular. i was never a really big fan of the wiz, although i suppose i may try to jump on the dvd when i get a chance. it's been at least 20 years
Posted by: avery at August 14, 2005 10:37 PM
Actually, this is not such an overlooked classic...it's one of the most reviewed pieces of cultural literature in the history of the modern US...http://www.halcyon.com/piglet/Populism.htm
The Wizard of Oz is a revealing look into several aspects of Americana. Not unlike Walt Disney's cartoons and Dr. Seuss, these cats usually had a larger social agenda that was only palatable to larger audiences as parables.
Funny parables get television and movies, not-so-funny parables get you time on the cross and a crown of thorns.
Posted by: Temple3 at August 13, 2005 10:23 AM