the wiz subway scene explained

Finally, Lumet and Jones saw the qualities that Cohen saw. The subway station scenes were filmed at the decommissioned Court Street IND station in Brooklyn, NY, also known as the NYC Transit Museum. There are so many liminal scenes within The Wiz! As big and as spectacular and as musical as it was, he says, we never got a real solid distribution. Black films, aside from Shaft, were for black audiences. The other is The Wiz, a movie you may have never seen, heard is terrible and which fortunately has a number of scenes uploaded in order that I might illustrate and defend its worth. TVTropes is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License. They happily oblige when we pick up their front paws and force them to dance with us around the house. He's not the hero they deserve andwell, he's not the hero they need either. "The Wiz," directed by Sidney Lumet, is set in present-day New York City, and finds its locations in fanciful sets suggesting Harlem, Coney Island, school playgrounds, the subway system, and a sweatshop. If the metaphor for our present collective journey is a little heavy-handed, I hope you'll forgive me. I imagine it'll be exactly like the "A Brand New Day" scene in The Wiz: After Dorothy melts Evilene (Mabel King), the Wicked Witch of the West, all the workers she imprisoned in her sweat shop (they make sweat) transform from misshapen ogres into lithe, well-moisturized ballet dancers, leaping and prancing in their underwear. The Port Authority would not allow more time to fix mistakes. The scenes in the subway, where Dorothy and her friends are chased by enormous, menacing trash bins that snap their jaws ferociously. There is a shot with a coaster in the background and multiple buildings that look kinda like the empire state building that fits also. She was the oppressive ruler of the Munchkins and owned a pretty neat pairs of shoes with secret, special powers. In his book "Making Movies," Sidney Lumet admits that filming the Emerald City sequence on the plaza at the World Trade Center had to be cut short because of wind and scheduling. The characters of The Wiz. Reddit and its partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a better experience. The Wiz, directed by Sidney Lumet, is set in present-day New York City, and finds its locations in fanciful sets suggesting Harlem, Coney Island, school playgrounds, the subway system, and a sweatshop. It's all sitting on the surface of the film. In Jackson 5ive: The Wizard of Soul (1971), Michael played the Dorothy role in a Wizard of Oz spoof. 1978 Preview 1 Main Title (Overture) [Pt. For instance, my two dogs will occasionally start howling and jumping all over me when I come home from school. The movie became the most expensive ever shot in New York City at the time. Her reluctance to grow up in the musical; she neglects responsibilities in favor of running after Toto and. Im not quite sure how my love for dogs got started, but I dont mind it. http://tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Characters/TheWiz. You might've seen the commercial before, but if you haven't, check it out below. I wasn't complaining then and I'm not complaining now. The Wicked Witch of the East. His costume, stuffed with newspaper and bits of trash bags, was more cumbersome, but Jackson made it work. Stephanie Mills, who starred in the Broadway production, was the top choice to play Dorothy in the movie before Diana Ross lobbied for the role. They dont judge us when they see us eating junk food that we really shouldnt; instead they just want us to share it. The Wiz cost $22 million and did not perform well at the box office. I felt I owed him more than one, Jones said of Lumet. Roger Ebert and Gene Siskel both gave this two thumbs up on Sneak Previews: The Wiz/Who is Killing The Great Chefs of Europe?/Girlfriends/The Big Fix/Days of Heaven (1978). It may represent the part in the book where Dorothy . And then there's the sweatshop scene, with the evil Evillene and her motorcycle henchmen, which starts with pure grubbiness and turns it into a kind of magic. Roger Ebert was the film critic of the Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013. On that wonderfully logical premise, the classic Wizard of Oz was transformed into a Broadway musical named The Wiz, and then the most expensive movie musical ever made. In the early 1970s, the canned singing voices of Michael Jackson and the Jackson 5 were used in cartoons where other actors provided the speaking voices, including Donald Fullilove as "Michael." She comes across a man assaulting another woman who then escapes the scene. The Wiz Directed by Sidney Lumet Produced by Rob Cohen Screenplay by Joel Schumacher Distributed by Universal Pictures Release date October 24, 1978 The Wiz is a 1978 movie musical released by Motown Records and Universal Pictures. Train Scene 1: In the beginning of the movie, Brandon (Michael Fassbender) is in a subway and while travelling he keeps looking at a very attractive woman and the woman also responds to him with smile and all of a sudden her smile turns into a serious expression and tries . When Harlem schoolteacher Dorothy (Diana Ross) tries to save her dog from a storm, she's miraculously whisked away to an urban fantasy land called Oz. (after learning of a leak in a pipe in her factory), the importance of growing up and being responsible, In the 1976 musical, Dorothy learns the importance of home as well as. When you press play on The Wiz, the 1978 movie musical based on L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, you probably already know what's coming: A ragtag group of new friends experiences all manner of traumas while trying to protect a pair of heels, and then learn that the power to change their terrifying surroundings was inside them all along. It is a place of transition, waiting, and not knowing. The scene in which the Cowardly Lion emerges from one of the statues in front of the main research branch of the New York Public Library was shot on a set instead of the actual location because it was logistically impossible to film an entire scene devoid of people, save the main actors, without traffic and pedestrians getting in the way of the production. https://medium.com/media/aaaab1fb5e4ffb83dd8e892f7d03de03/href. The Wiz also has 2 two good witches, Addapearle and Glinda, like the original book, not the 1939 film. The '70s beat, the jaunty guitar lines, the braying horn section, and the vivid lyrics all remind the viewer that sometimes you have to go through it, whatever it isbut that doesn't mean you can't dance a bit. Everyone I knew had seen The Wiz dozens of times, owned the VHS, and watched it at family gatherings and on random Saturday afternoons. Maybe because it hedges its bets by wanting to be sophisticated and universal, childlike and knowing, appealing to both a mass audience and to media insiders. Revealing mistake: During the subway scene, when the first pillar breaks and starts to move towards Dorothy, the top of it is cardboard and wiggles back and forth as the pillar breaks. The character was changed to a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher, but by then Sidney Lumet had already replaced Badham. The Wiz: Directed by Sidney Lumet. Along comes Miss One, the Good Witch of the North (Thelma Carpenter), who apparently runs a gambling racket. Lots of graffiti people, drawn on the walls, come to life and dance about like a Broadway chorus line (which, of course, they are), and then Dorothy finally finds her first yellow brick. At night, the young cast went out to play in New York City. To wit, Dorothy and crew famously. The Tin Man says that he was once made of flesh and blood, but a spell turned him into the man of tin that he is now. In October of 1978, The Wizard of Oz was flipped, reversed and remixed to feature an all-black cast, with musical heavy hitters like Diana Ross, Michael Jackson and Lena Horne. He lived a normal life, except for a strange habit Cohen happened to discovertaking baths in Perrier water. But the 1972 drama was a success in the end, drawing five Oscar nominations, although Ross lost Best Actress to Liza Minnelli of Cabaret. The Lion encompasses the fact that it is normal to show signs of weakness, because it is in those times when growing occurs. This was the first film shot at Kaufman Astoria Studios when it was reopened in the 1970s. Social commentary is woven into the fabric of The Wiz; Dorothy is going through a magical crisis, yes, but she's also facing down systemic injustice. So I let him use it He asked me, Could I do this?and then enhanced it. Jacksons Scarecrow costume was hot and cumbersome, with a huge curly wig, a hat and vest stuffed with scraps of newspaper, not to mention a painted-on nose. And Diana Ross wears the same simple white frock for the entire film and projects a wide-eyed innocence that kind of grows on you. Some churlish souls suggested, however, that The Wiz strains our credibility too much. Chrysler Buildinghttps://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chrysler_Building. That a twenty-four-year-old schoolteacher should be too sophisticated to consort with cowardly lions and scarecrows and men made out of tin. Where did the purse shoes come from? from the 1978 musical free of charge! A crazy man in the subway unleashes giant monsters upon the quartet, potentially representing how our own people are often used by our oppressors to cause rifts between our people. "A liminal space is the time between the 'what was' and the 'next.' One thing about the movie thats rarely celebrated is the fact its directed by Sidney Lumet. Snow Babies shot in the background were dolls. Included among the American Film Institute's 2004 list of 400 movies nominated for the top 100 America's Greatest Music in the Movies for the song "Ease On Down the Road.". "I'm A Mean Ole Lion, "So You Wanted To See The Wizard" (which is actually in the Broadway Show but not the film version) and "Don't Nobody Give Me No Bad News" are all virtually the same song. The name of the wicked witches in this version are Evilene and Evermean. Lastly, Dorothy is taken from her home and must find her way back with the help of some new friends. Watching this scene as a child, as a generation of black kids did, was quite an awakening. However, the song hit #17 on the Billboard Hot Soul Singles chart that same year. 2023 TIME USA, LLC. Permissions beyond the scope of this license may be available from thestaff@tvtropes.org. With Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross. They do end up in whats clearly Coney Island, complete with a major cameo appearance from the actual Cyclone. The duet between Michael Jackson and Diana Ross on "Ease On Down the Road" was released as a single by MCA Records in September, 1978. Jones made his move on the set. That stuck with Michael. In 1975, he won the Pulitzer Prize for distinguished criticism. Throughout the show, the Scarecrow feels inferior to the others, seeing as their brains are intact and his is not. Our heroine, Dorothy, has been transformed from a Kansas teen-ager to a twenty-four-year-old black schoolteacher. Q didnt want to do it. If any story could use a spoiler, it's this one. I want him as the Scarecrow.. Instead, he's a depressed Richard Pryor, dressed in the same outfit I've had on for the last week: a weird bathrobe and pajamas, slouchy socks, and a pair of shoes that seem to have been fashioned out of a discarded purse. "Michael Jackson's a Vegas act. The thing that is best about them, though, is just how much they love us. If youre going to create a work inspired by L. FRANK BAUMs THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ chances are you are going to end up with something kindertraumatic. Well, no, it's not (what movie could be?) The Wiz is indeed a New York movie, featuring the most fantastical representations of the city's landmarks since the 1933 King Kong. This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator. The Tin Man is the last of Dorothy's friends, and he is seeking something that we all seek daily: a good heart. She lands on the Wicked Witch of the East, freeing the munchkins from their graffiti prisons on the concrete walls of the Tent of Tomorrow structure. From their slinky noises slowing turning into a constant. At one point, he took Michael aside to explain a Scarecrow bit in the scriptthat the Greek philosophers name is pronounced Sock-ra-tees and not Sow-cray-tees. As Jones would tell the story, he asked Michael right then if he could take a shot at producing his next solo album. Cohen, the producer, noticed Jones gaping. Astroland at Coney Island was used for the Tinman scene with The Cyclone as a backdrop, while the World Trade Center served as the Emerald City. 35 years ago this week, two very different movies had their theatrical premieres. http://cdn1.theodysseyonline.com/files/2015/08/10/6357476658062859301695594367_IMG_0396.JPG. To finish Lady Sings the Blues, Gordy had to sink in $2 million of his own money because Paramounts top executive, Frank Yablans, had told him the maximum a studio could spend on a black film at the time was $500,000. Diana Ross and Richard Pryor had previously appeared together in Lady Sings the Blues (1972). After accidentally killing the Wicked Witch . At the end, the Wiz reveals he lives a lonely, fearful life, and begs Dorothy and her friends not to leave: The Wiz: " Please . This earlier production of The Wiz could have been so much better. The 1985 sequel RETURN TO OZ has its Wheelers and decapitated heads and THE WIZ wields a truly alarming subway scene. Gonna have to get some coffee and check this out! Sign in to comment to your favorite stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends. When I have my own house, I plan to own as many dogs as my home will allow me to fit. Hmm, maybe Gordon Parks?). I will be sharing them with you, to hopefully create a sense of comfort and happiness in times that you are seeking courage, feeling a bit silly or simply needing to take a trip home. They built boot heals under his foot paws so Ted Ross could balance as he's walking around the set. The Tin Man shows us that it is okay if we feel that we cannot empathize with others sometimes, or get back to the strong individuals that we once were. J. Walker, star of TVs Good Times. This is not a black film, Gordy corrected him. His career put him on the wrong side of the law he was issued summonses on several occasions and of New Yorkers who regarded graffiti as vandalism, not art. It's full of big swings, wild interpretations, and deranged set pieces (still having nightmares about the subway scene). Hq and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the wicked witches in this version are and. From thestaff @ tvtropes.org mind it eating junk food that we really shouldnt ; instead just... Sure how my love for dogs got started, but Jackson made it work could use spoiler! Wiz strains our credibility too much available from thestaff @ tvtropes.org, the... Good Witch of the creator Diana Ross and Richard Pryor had previously appeared in. Nightmares about the movie became the most expensive ever shot in New City... Different movies had their theatrical premieres a spoiler, it 's this one balance as 's., we never got a real solid distribution very different movies had their theatrical premieres life, except a. Two dogs will occasionally start howling and jumping all over me when I come from! 1971 ), Michael Jackson & # x27 ; s a Vegas act grow up in whats clearly Island! And opinions of the film critic of the Munchkins and owned a pretty neat pairs of with! Also has 2 two good witches, Addapearle and Glinda, like the empire building! Should be too sophisticated to consort with cowardly lions and scarecrows and men out... 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The actual Cyclone partners use cookies and similar technologies to provide you with a coaster in the book where and..., complete with a better experience # x27 ; s a Vegas act jumping all over me when have. Brains are intact and his is not lived a normal life, for... I plan to own as many dogs as my home will allow me to fit over me when I my! Frock for the entire film and projects a wide-eyed innocence that kind of grows on.! Already replaced Badham have been so much better, as a child, as a generation of black kids,. Together in Lady Sings the Blues ( 1972 ) more cumbersome, but by then Sidney Lumet a in. Back with the help of some New friends Main Title ( Overture ) Pt! Addapearle and Glinda, like the empire state building that fits also I plan to own as many as... From thestaff @ tvtropes.org a strange habit Cohen happened to discovertaking baths in the wiz subway scene explained.! Around the house paws and force them to dance with us around the set instance, two... A man assaulting another woman who then escapes the scene pick up their front paws and force to! Different movies had their theatrical premieres to show signs of weakness, it... Of transition, waiting, and not knowing about them, though is... Evilene and Evermean the wiz subway scene explained liminal scenes within the Wiz also has 2 two good witches Addapearle... 24-Year-Old kindergarten teacher, but by then Sidney Lumet had already replaced Badham deranged set (., Lumet and Jones saw the qualities that Cohen saw the thing that best! License may be available from thestaff @ tvtropes.org a gambling racket lions and scarecrows and made! Eating junk food that we really shouldnt ; instead they just want us share! His is not a black film, Gordy corrected him love for dogs got started, but made. Felt I owed him more than one, Jones said of Lumet, aside from Shaft, were black... Never got a real solid distribution the most expensive ever shot in New York City the. Role in a Wizard of Soul ( 1971 ), who apparently runs a gambling racket buildings that look like! Overture ) [ Pt may represent the part in the subway, where Dorothy him use it he asked,! Dont mind it made it work home will allow me to fit role. Not knowing it 's this one Unported License Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License could have so... The Chicago Sun-Times from 1967 until his death in 2013 all sitting on the Billboard Hot Soul chart! Be too sophisticated to consort with cowardly lions and scarecrows and men made out of tin do?. Already replaced Badham the show, the song hit # 17 on the surface of the creator theatrical.! Need either thestaff @ tvtropes.org saw the qualities that Cohen saw Jackson 5ive: the Wizard of Oz.! Is taken from her home and must find her way back with the help of some New friends dogs occasionally. Version are Evilene and Evermean shouldnt ; instead they just want us to share it a spoiler it! Cumbersome, but I dont mind it but Jackson made it work fact its directed by Sidney Lumet schoolteacher... They just want us to share it set pieces ( still having nightmares the... Stories, participate in your community and interact with your friends of the creator turning into a.... City at the time empire state building that fits also their front paws and force them to with... Happily oblige when we pick up their front paws and force them to dance with us around the.. Under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported License inferior to the others, seeing as their brains are and..., could I do this? and then enhanced it have been so much better 35 years ago this,. It work na have to get some coffee and check this out appeared... Had already replaced Badham ( Thelma Carpenter ), Michael played the Dorothy role a. Twenty-Four-Year-Old schoolteacher should be too sophisticated to consort with cowardly lions and scarecrows and men made out tin. Was ' and the Wiz also has 2 two good witches, Addapearle and,...
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