May 3, 2008: Liza Minelli at Bass Hall
	March 25 - April 2, 2008: A Trip to Fort Lauderdale
	Return to Index for 2008

Introduction

Tonight is going to be a real treat- and it's a first for us at the Symphony. I obtained tickets for this performance last fall, knowing that it would be sold out. The Dallas Symphony is going to play the entire score for the movie "The Wizard of Oz," while the movie itself shows on a huge screen behind the orchestra. The movie itself has been edited so that the video track and the dialogue and sound effects tracks are intact. The musical tracks, however, have been removed and the Dallas Symphony will play all the music in synchronization with the film being shown. The Symphony has not done this before, to my knowledge.

We have invited Mario and Steve to join us; we actually invited them a month ago. In addition, two friends of theirs, one who works with Mario and one who does not, are also attending (although they have different seats from us). When we arrived at the Myerson Symphony Center, we found their friends, Nancy and Toni, already there, and already in line to have their programs autographed by two of the original cast members from the movie- two of the Munchkins. I did not record their names, but one of them, shown here played two different roles as a Munchkin- one "adult" role and one role as one of the "sleepyhead" children. The other one, shown here also played multiple roles- in two crowd scenes and as one of the marching soldier Munchkins. They were autographing programs and posing for pictures. I just stuck my camera up in the air to see over the crowd to get the best pictures I could.

I caught Nancy and Toni having just got their programs autographed and seemingly enjoying the experience of meeting the two Munchkin actors. The rest of us waited off to the side, and I got a good picture of Mario, Fred and Steve as we waited for the house lights to dim indicating it was time to head to our seats.

I also took a movie of the scene in the lobby of the Myerson.

Eventually the house lights were dimmed, and all six of us headed up to the Grand Tier and our seats.

The Performance

Regular photography was neither allowed nor possible during the performance. The hall is much too big for a flash to work, and we were sitting much too far away in any case. But I decided to try to take some relatively short films of selected pieces of the performance, and with few exceptions, these turned out well. You may notice that after the first few clips, each clip starts out dark and then the camera is raised to bring the screen and orchestra into view. I realized after the first few clips that when my camera starts taking a movie, there is a flash of red light at the front of the camera. I did not want to get anyone upset, so I began the practice of pointing the camera down at my seat when beginning the film, and then raising the camera. This practice made the flash of red light invisible to anyone but me.

I also want to so something a bit different in the way I show these films to you, although this is perhaps overkill. I have obtained a copy of the full script for the movie, and what I will do for each of my movie clips is to include the portion of that script that is shown visually in the movie. So, for each movie, there will first be a link that you can click on to watch the movie and then right after that the relevant portion of the script (including staging and camera directions, if any). None of the movies is more than a minute or two long, but right after each link that starts a movie I will give you a link that you can use to skip the script portion and go directly to the next movie. Don't forget to close (or minimize) your movie player window at the end of each movie.

(Incidentally, I found the movie script to be very interesting, what with the camera and staging directions and all. You might, also, and you can find it the same way I did- on the Internet. It is available at a number of sites.)

So, without any more introduction, the movies I took at "The Wizard of Oz," with music supplied by the Dallas Symphony:

Movie #1:
Opening title and credits; Introduction

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

FADE IN -- Title and Credits
FADE OUT:

FADE IN -- Title:
For nearly forty years this story has given faithful service to the Young in Heart; and Time has been powerless to put its kindly philosophy out of fashion.

To those of you who have been faithful to it in return

...and to the Young in Heart --- we dedicate this picture.
FADE OUT:

Movie #2:
"Over The Rainbow"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

DOROTHY
Do you suppose there is such a place, Toto? There must be. It's not a place you can get to by a boat or a train. It's far, far away -- behind the moon -- beyond the rain --

DOROTHY
(sings)
Somewhere, over the rainbow, way up high,
There's a land that I heard of once in a lullaby.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, skies are blue,
And the dreams that you dare to dream really do....

CS -- Toto by wheel of rake -- listening to song -- DOROTHY o.s.
(sings)
...come true....

MCS -- Dorothy singing -- swings on wheel of rake -- then walks forward around wheel -- Toto jumps up onto seat of rake -- Dorothy pets him -- sits on front of rake -- CAMERA PULLS back -- Dorothy finishes song --

DOROTHY
(sings)
...Someday I'll wish upon a star
And wake up where the clouds are far behind me.
Where troubles melt like lemon drops,
Away above the chimney tops,
That's where you'll find me.
Somewhere, over the rainbow, bluebirds fly.
Birds fly over the rainbow,
Why then -- oh, why can't I?
If happy little bluebirds fly
Beyond the rainbow
Why, oh, why can't I?

Movie #3:
"We're Not in Kansas Anymore"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

DOROTHY Now I -- I know we're not in Kansas. MLS -- Glinda -- CAMERA PANS her right to Dorothy and Toto -- CAMERA TRUCKS forward -- they speak --

GLINDA Are you a good witch, or a bad witch?

DOROTHY Who, me? Why, I'm not a witch at all. I'm Dorothy Gale from Kansas.

GLINDA Oh! Well....

CS -- Toto -- Dorothy's feet in b.g. --

GLINDA o.s. ...is that the Witch?

DOROTHY Who, Toto?

MCS -- Glinda and Dorothy -- they speak and look o.s. to l.f.g.--

DOROTHY Toto's my dog.

GLINDA Well, I'm a little muddled. The Munchkins called me because a new witch has just dropped a house on the Wicked Witch of the East. And there's the house, and here you are, and that's all...

MCS -- Wicked Witch of the East's feet protruding from under the farm house --

GLINDA o.s. ...that's left of the Wicked Witch of the East.

MCU -- Dorothy looks o.s. to l.f.g. -- reacts --

GLINDA o.s. And so what the Munchkins want to know...

MCU -- Glinda looks o.s. to Dorothy and speaks --

GLINDA ...is, are you a good witch, or a bad witch?

MCU -- Dorothy looks to l.f.g. -- speaks -- reacts to noise o.s. --

DOROTHY Oh, but I've already told you, I'm not a witch at all -- witches are old and ugly. What was that?

MCU -- Glinda looks to r.f.g. and speaks --

GLINDA The Munchkins. They're laughing because I am a witch. I'm Glinda, the Witch of the North.

MCU -- Dorothy looks to l.f.g. -- reacts -- speaks -- curtsies --

DOROTHY You are! Oh, I beg your pardon! But I've never heard of a beautiful....

MCU -- Glinda looks to r.f.g. and speaks --

DOROTHY o.s. ...witch before.

GLINDA Only bad witches are ugly.

MCS -- Glinda and Dorothy -- they speak -- Dorothy reacts to noise o.s. -- CAMERA TRUCKS back -- Munchkins enter from b.g. behind flowers -- Glinda sings --

GLINDA The Munchkins are happy because you have freed them from the Wicked Witch of the East.

DOROTHY Oh. But, if you please -- what are Munchkins?

GLINDA The little people who live in this land -- it's Munchkinland, and you are their national heroine, my dear. It's all right -- you may all come out and thank her. It's all right now - you may all come out.

GLINDA (sings)

Come out, come out, wherever you are And meet the young lady who fell from a star.

LS -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Toto with them -- Munchkins in f.g. -- others enter in b.g. -- Glinda leads Dorothy toward the b.g. as she sings -- CAMERA BOOMS up and forward --

GLINDA (sings)

She fell from the sky, she fell very far. And Kansas she says is the name of the star.

MLS -- Munchkins -- one rises from manhole in street -- they sing and move toward the r.f.g. --

Movie #4:
"I'll Get You, My Pretty...and Your Little Dog, Too!"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

CS -- Witch -- looks o.s. to Munchkins -- Munchkins in b.g. -- react and run -- CAMERA BOOMS left with Witch to farm house -- she looks at Witch of the East's feet protruding from under the farm house --

Ext. Civic Center of Munchkin Village -- MCS -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Dorothy holding Toto as she looks o.s. to left f.g. -- is frightened -- speaks with Glinda --

DOROTHY
I thought you said she was dead.

GLINDA
That was her sister -- the Wicked Witch of the East. This is the Wicked Witch of the West. And she's worse than the other one was.

MS -- The Wicked Witch turns away from the farm house -- CAMERA PANS, TRUCKS right with her as she goes to Dorothy and Glinda -- the Munchkins are prostrate on the ground in b.g. -- The Witch speaks with Glinda and Dorothy --

WITCH
Who killed my sister? Who killed the Witch of the East? Was it you? Answer me!

GLINDA
Leave her alone!

WITCH
You stay out of this! I'm here for vengeance! So it was you, was it? You killed her,....

CS -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Dorothy speaks to the Witch o.s. in f.g. --

WITCH
...didn't you?

DOROTHY
No -- No! It was an accident! I didn't mean to kill anybody!....

MCU -- Witch -- speaks to Dorothy o.s. -- waves her broomstick about --

DOROTHY o.s.
...Really I didn't!

WITCH
Didn't mean it, eh? Accident, eh? Well, my little pretty, I can cause accidents, too -- and this is how I do it!

GLINDA o.s.
Aren't you forget-....

MS -- Witch, Dorothy and Glinda -- Munchkins on the ground in b.g. -- The Witch reacts as Glinda speaks - CAMERA TRUCKS left with her as she turns, goes back to the wrecked farm house --

GLINDA
...ting the ruby slippers?

WITCH
The slippers -- yes.....the slippers!

MS -- The Witch of the East's legs protruding from underneath the wrecked house -- the ruby slippers disappear and the stockings are drawn back

under the house -- CS -- The Witch reacts as she looks down -- then turns, looks back to o.s. f.g. -- speaks --

WITCH
They're gone!

MLS -- The Witch kneeling down by the house -- she rises, CAMERA TRUCKS her right to Dorothy and Glinda -- Glinda stops her, points down to Dorothy's feet --

WITCH
The ruby slippers! What have you done with them? Give them back to me, or I'll ---

GLINDA
It's too late! There they....

CU -- The ruby slippers on Dorothy's feet -- Glinda's wand points to them --

GLINDA o.s.
...are, and there they'll stay!

MCU -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Dorothy reacts as she looks down -- gasps as she looks at the Witch o.s., then up at Glinda --

DOROTHY
Oh!

WITCH o.s.
Give me back my slippers!

MCU -- Witch speaks to Dorothy o.s.--

WITCH
I'm the only one that knows how to use them. They're of no use to you! Give them back to me!

MCU -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Glinda advises Dorothy --

WITCH o.s.
Give them back!

GLINDA
Keep tight inside of them -- their magic must be very powerful, or she wouldn't want them so badly!

MS -- The Witch rises, threatens Dorothy -- Glinda laughs, speaks -- the Witch reacts, looks up o.s. -- then continues to threaten Dorothy --

WITCH
You stay out of this, Glinda, or I'll fix you as well!

GLINDA
(laughs)

Oh, rubbish! You have no power here. Be gone, before somebody drops a house on you, too.

WITCH
Very well -- I'll bide my time -- and as for you, my fine lady, it's true, I can't attend to you here and now as I'd like, but just try to stay out of my way....

MCU -- Witch threatens Dorothy o.s. in f.g. --

WITCH
... -- just try! I'll get you, my....

MCU -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Dorothy reacts as the Witch laughs o.s. --

WITCH o.s.
...pretty, and your little dog, too!
(laughs)

MLS -- The Witch backs away from Dorothy and Glinda as the CAMERA BOOMS back -- she laughs menacingly -- the Munchkins hug the ground with fear -- the Witch disappears in a cloud of fire and smoke --

MCS -- Glinda and Dorothy -- Glinda speaks to the Munchkins o.s.

GLINDA
It's all right. You can get up -- she's gone.

Movie #5:
"Follow the Yellow Brick Road!"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

CS -- Dorothy turns, starts to speak to Glinda o.s. in f.g. --

DOROTHY
But -- what happens if I ---

CS -- Glinda speaks to Dorothy o.s. in f.g. --

GLINDA
Just follow the Yellow Brick Road.

CS -- Dorothy look up o.s., open-mouthed with astonishment -- she speaks -- CAMERA PANS down to her feet as she starts to follow the Yellow Brick Road -- CAMERA PULLS back slightly as she walks around it -- the Mayor steps in, speaks to her -- other Munchkins speak -- CAMERA PANS left with Dorothy as she progresses along the road -- other Munchkins give her advice --

DOROTHY
My -- ! People come and go so quickly here! Follow the Yellow Brick Road. Follow the Yellow Brick Road?

MAYOR
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

1ST MUNCHKIN
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

WOMAN
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

BARRISTER
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

ELS -- Shooting down from high set-up to Dorothy on the Yellow Brick Road -- the Munchkins all grouped along the border of the road -- CAMERA BOOMS up as they sing while Dorothy walks around the road --

FIDDLERS
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.
Follow, follow, follow, follow,
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

Follow the Yellow Brick
Follow the...

LS -- Dorothy comes forward down the Munchkin-lined Yellow Brick Road -- she dances, skips along -- CAMERA BOOMS rapidly back along the road ahead of her -- Munchkins entered lined up along the road -- all greet her, then follow her down the road -- the Five Fiddlers sing as they head the procession -- Dorothy passes through the gates of Munchkinland and exits to f.g. -- the Munchkins stop at the gates --

FIDDLERS
(sing)
...Yellow Brick
Follow the Yellow Brick Road.

You're off to see the Wizard
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
You'll find he is a whiz of a Wiz
If ever a Wiz there was.
If ever oh ever a Wiz there was
The Wizard of Oz
Is one because
Because, because, because, because, because...
Because of the wonderful things he does....

ELS -- Dorothy dances down the Yellow Brick Road to the b.g. -- camera shooting over the heads of the Munchkins in the f.g. as they sing to her -- she turns, waves to them -- they wave back and Dorothy continues on down the road as the Munchkins cheer --

FIDDLERS
(sing)
You're off to see the Wizard
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz!

Intermission

There was an intermission just after Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion reached the gates of the Emerald City, and we all went down to the lobby as we usually do. Nancy and Toni went down to look at more of the movie memorabilia while the four of us stayed up on the balcony looking down on them. We just chatted for a while, and I made a movie of the scene, which begins with an image of the Emerald City that was projected on the front wall of the lobby. You can watch that movie using the player at left.

When the house lights dimmed again, we went back to our seats and the rest of the performance.

Movie #6:
"I'm Melting! I'm Melting!"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

CS -- Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow -- Lion hiding behind the Tin Man -- all tremble with fear --

WITCH o.s.
And the last to go will see the first three go before her! And your mangy little dog, too!

MCU -- Witch smiles as she looks up o.s. -- CAMERA PANS up as she holds her broom up to the torch on wall --

CS -- The Four react with fear --

MCU -- The broomstick catches fire -- CAMERA PANS down to the Witch as she lowers it -- speaks --

WITCH
How about a little fire, Scarecrow?

CS -- Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow -- all react as the broom is thrust into the scene and catches the Scarecrow's arm on fire -- he shouts, Dorothy screams -- Dorothy picks up a bucket as the CAMERA PULLS back, throws the water on Scarecrow --

SCARECROW
No -- No -- No -- No!

DOROTHY
Ohh! OHH! OHH!

SCARECROW
Help! I'm burning! I'm burning! I'm burning! Help! Help! Help!

MS -- Dorothy throwing water at Scarecrow -- some of it hits the Witch in the face -- Tin Man standing at left with the Lion --

SCARECROW
Help!

MCU -- The water hits the Witch in the face --

MS -- The Witch screams as the water hits her -- Tin Man, Lion, Dorothy and Scarecrow look at her --

MLS -- The Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow watch the Witch as she screams and melts away -- camera shooting past Winkies in the f.g. -- the Witch curses as she disappears, finally only her cloak and hat remain on the floor -- her voice fades away --

WITCH
Ohhh -- you cursed brat! Look what you've done! I'm melting! Melting! Oh -- what a world -- what a world! Who would have thought a good little girl like you could destroy my beautiful wickedness!? Ohhh! Look out! Look out! I'm going. Ohhhh! Ohhhhhh....

CS -- Lion, Tin Man, Dorothy and Scarecrow looking down o.s. amazed --

CS -- Shooting down to the Witch's cloak and hat smoldering on the floor -- Toto enters from left and sniffs at them -- CAMERA PULLS back slightly as Nikko enters, growls --

Movie #7:
"We'd Like You to Keep Your Promise to Us!"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

Int. Throne room -- LS -- Throne -- Oz's voice booms out as the CAMERA PULLS back to reveal the Scarecrow, Dorothy, Lion and Tin Man standing in front of it --

OZ'S VOICE
Can I believe my eyes? Why....

MLS -- The Four trembling with fear -- CAMERA PULLS back as Dorothy comes forward with the broomstick and places it on the steps to throne -- she speaks --

OZ'S VOICE
...have you come back?

DOROTHY
Please, sir. We've done what you told us. We've brought you the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West. We melted her.

OZ'S VOICE
Oh ....

MLS -- Throne --

OZ'S VOICE
...you liquidated her, eh? Very....

MS -- Dorothy smiling, with the Tin Man, Lion and the Scarecrow in back of her also looking pleased -- she speaks -- they react as Oz speaks --

OZ'S VOICE
...resourceful!

DOROTHY
Yes, sir. So we'd like you to keep your promise to us, if you please, sir.

OZ'S VOICE
Not so fast! Not....

MLS -- Throne --

OZ'S VOICE
...so fast! I'll have to give the matter a little thought. Go away and come back tomorrow!

Movie #8:
"There's No Place Like Home; There's No Place Like Home!"

Use the movie player at left to watch the portion of the film covered by the following script section (or skip directly to the next movie clip by clicking here)

MS -- A group of Oz men react as they look up o.s. -- they bow out of the scene -- suddenly Glinda appears in the scene -- CAMERA TRUCKS back to left over heads of the bowing Oz people as she moves down the steps and up onto the platform to Dorothy, Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow --

CS -- Dorothy, Glinda and Scarecrow on the platform -- Dorothy speaks with Glinda -- CAMERA PULLS back to enter Tin Man and Lion -- Tin Man speaks --

DOROTHY
Oh, will you help me? Can you help me?

GLINDA
You don't need to be helped any longer. You've always had the power to go back to Kansas.

DOROTHY
I have?

SCARECROW
Then why didn't you tell her before?

GLINDA
Because she wouldn't have believed me. She had to learn it for herself.

TIN MAN
What have you learned, Dorothy?

MCU -- Dorothy -- Lion behind her -- she speaks --

DOROTHY
Well, I -- I think that it -- that it wasn't enough just to want to see Uncle Henry and Auntie Em -- and it's that -- if I ever go looking for my heart's desire again, I won't look any further than my own backyard. Because if it isn't there, I never really lost it to begin with! Is that right?

MCS -- Tin Man, Dorothy, Glinda, Scarecrow and Lion on platform -- they speak -- Glinda points down to Dorothy's slippers --

GLINDA
That's all it is!

SCARECROW
But that's so easy! I should have thought of it for you.

TIN MAN
I should have felt it in my heart.

GLINDA
No. She had to find it out for herself. Now, those magic slippers will take you home in two seconds!

DOROTHY
Oh....

CS -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Scarecrow in b.g. -- Dorothy reacts, speaks -- turns about -- begins to cry as she realizes she will lose her three friends -- CAMERA PANS her left to Tin Man -- she wipes his tears away -- gives him his oil can and then kisses him -- then CAMERA TRUCKS forward slightly as she says goodbye to the Lion -- PANS right slightly as she turns to the Scarecrow -- hugs him -- then steps back to Glinda as CAMERA PANS slightly --

DOROTHY
...Toto, too?

GLINDA
Toto, too.

DOROTHY
Oh, now?

GLINDA
Whenever you wish.

DOROTHY
Oh, dear -- that's too wonderful to be true! Oh, it's -- it's going to be so hard to say goodbye. I love you all, too. Goodbye, Tin Man. Oh, don't cry. You'll rust so dreadfully. Here -- here's your oil-can. Goodbye.

TIN MAN
Now I know I've got a heart -- 'cause it's breaking.

DOROTHY
Oh -- Goodbye, Lion. You know, I know it isn't right, but I'm going to miss the way you used to holler for help before you found your courage.

LION
Well -- I would never've found it if it hadn't been for you.

DOROTHY
I think I'll miss you most of all.

GLINDA
Are you ready now?

DOROTHY
Yes. Say goodbye, Toto.

MS -- Dorothy waves Toto's paw at the Tin Man, Lion and Scarecrow -- then speaks to Glinda -- Glinda instructs her --

DOROTHY
Yes, I'm ready now.

GLINDA
Then close your eyes, and tap your heels together three times.

MCU -- Dorothy's heels as she clicks them together three times --

MCU -- Dorothy and Glinda -- Glinda instructs her -- waves her wand -- Dorothy closes her eyes -- CAMERA TRUCKS in to a big CU of Dorothy -- she speaks -- the scene darkens behind her --

GLINDA
And think to yourself -- "There's no place like home; there's no place like home; there's no place like home."

DOROTHY
There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home. There's no place like home.

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

ELS - The Munchkins waving goodbye from the gates of the Munchkin Village -

DOROTHY o.s.
There's no place like...

CS - The Witch laughing -

DOROTHY o.s.
...home. There's no place....

MCS - The Wizard at the control panel in the Throne Room - he turns, looks o.s. to f.g. - reacts - pulls the curtain -

DOROTHY o.s.
...like home. There's no place like home.

MS - Glinda leading the Munchkins in a dance - Munchkins in the b.g. -

DOROTHY o.s.
There's no place like home.

MCU - Lion growling -

MS - The Tin Man breaking in the door of the Witch's Tower Room -

DOROTHY o.s.
There's no place like home.

MS - Hickory's Wind Machine on the Gale farm -

DOROTHY o.s.
There's no place like home.

CS - Horse looking out from stall -

CS - Cow - CAMERA PANS slightly -

MCS - Chickens moving about -

CS - Auntie Em offers forward a plate of crullers -

LAP DISSOLVE TO:

CU -- Dorothy lying on pillow -- she mumbles -- Aunt Em's hands enter -- put cloth on Dorothy's head --

DOROTHY
(mumbling)
-- there's no place like home -- there's no place like home --

AUNT EM o.s.
Dorothy - Dorothy! It's me -- Aunt Em.

The Rest of the Evening

The performance was unique- really something special. I'm glad that I got tickets so early, and I think everyone enjoyed it.

After the performance, we all met for a late supper at Gloria's, where we had a chance to meet and talk with Nancy and Toni. Finally, it was coffee and cake at my house before the evening drew to a close.

	May 3, 2008: Liza Minelli at Bass Hall
	March 25 - April 2, 2008: A Trip to Fort Lauderdale
	Return to Index for 2008