the wizard of oz never gets old

Children's television in the 60s and 70s was not even almost the same creature it is today. We had very limited options, and quite frankly, watched whatever was available because we were simply happy that something was on.  Around my house, one of our perennial favorites was The Wizard of Oz.  It came on once a year and it was a really big deal.  (Meaning, my parents let us stay up late to watch it.)  I don't think any of my siblings or I ever considered it an "old movie", but the truth is, it was.  (It shares the same birth year as my father, so there's no way it wasn't old.)  I'd love to say the movie is timeless, but it isn't.  Maybe the story is, but there's no comparing the movie to what we've become accustomed.  (If you don't believe me, watch the tornado/spinning house scene again.) That's okay.  A lot of things from my childhood have gotten old... I think that's part of life.  The movie will always have a place in my heart, no matter how old it or I get.

Though L. Frank Baum's novel was published in 1900 (now, that's old), most of us became acquainted with Dorothy and the Follow the Yellow Brick Road Gang through the motion picture (and it's subsequent television broadcasts starting in the late 50s), which today, celebrates it's 71 birthday.  


The film has seen it's share of the spotlight over the years and has been called "the most watched film in history" by The Library of Congress.  I love all the different movie posters produced to advertise the film and thought sharing them would be a fun way to celebrate the movie's birthday.

(Probably my favorite.)

And I would be remiss not to mention one other important birthday that happens today... My own Pups 4 and 5 turn 15 today.  These are my babies, who too soon will be men.  It's a bittersweet day, but we celebrated with ice cream birthday cake for breakfast, so that's not too shabby!  (Oh and it's the first day of school here too.  Talk about bittersweet... this time for them, not for me!!)

Happy birthday Ethan and Andrew!