A classic film and former mainstay on television is returning to the small screen after a long absence. According to The Hollywood Reporter, the original The Wizard of Oz will fly onto broadcast TV for the first time in 30 years via MeTV. The iconic musical starring Judy Garland (A Star is Born, Easter Parade) as Dorothy inspired countless other properties, including the film adaptation Wicked.
The last time the movie aired for free on TV was in May of 1998 on CBS. The Hollywood Reporter details the film had aired annually since 1956, especially during the holiday season. This time around, the movie is set to air in October as part of MeTV’s “Halloween BOO-Nanza.” It is being described as a celebration of classic genre and family-friendly films.
“The Wizard of Oz is more than a movie, it is a shared American experience that was defined by the annual tradition of gathering around the television set,” said Neal Sabin, vice chairman of Weigel Broadcasting via The Hollywood Reporter. “We are thrilled to bring the film back to broadcast television this October on MeTV. It will be presented without any edits and will be surrounded by surprises we will announce later, making the film the centerpiece of our expanded annual MeTV Halloween BOO-Nanza programming event, which has become hugely popular with our audience. We know they are going to love this incredible addition to the schedule.”
Based on the novel series from Frank Baum (Queen Zixi of Ix, Sky Island) the 1939 film was directed by Victor Fleming (Gone with the Wind, Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde) and featured the ultimate fish-out-of-water story. A young Kansas girl, Garland’s Dorothy, dreams of a place beyond her rural life. Her wildest dream comes true when a tornado whisks her to the foreign land of Oz. Here, she befriends a colorful cast of characters on her way to ask the all powerful wizard to send her back home. He promises he can, but only if she brings him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West.
The film has inspired countless book, TV series, and films over the many years, including NBC’s canceled Emerald City in 2016.