"Wizard of Oz" Celebrates 71st Anniversary with a Google Doodle

By: Joyce Lee
Topics: News ,; Movies

"Wizard of Oz" Google Doodle (Google)

NEW YORK (CBS) - It's been 71 years since "The Wizard of Oz" first burst onto screens, and to celebrate, Google has updated its home page logo to honor the musical classic.

PICTURES: Top Ten Movie Pictures
PICTURES: Google's Doodle

The Doodle, which was designed by Mike Dutton, depicts Dorothy Gale with the Scarecrow, the Cowardly Lion, the Tin Man and Toto the dog as they first spot the majestic Emerald City while on the yellow brick road.

The film, which starred Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, and Jack Haley, had its big Hollywood premiere on Aug. 15, 1939, but it first officially debuted on Aug. 12 in Oconomowoc, Wis. at the Strand Theatre. It was based on the children's novel by L. Frank Baum and grew famous for its striking use of color and visual effects.

In 1939, "The Wizard of Oz" was nominated for several Academy Awards including Best Picture. It lost the award in the Best Picture category to "Gone with the Wind" but won in the category of Best Song for "Over the Rainbow."

The year 1939 was a good one for movies. Among the other classics that debuted that year were "Stagecoach," "Mr. Smith Goes to Washington" and "Goodbye, Mr. Chips."

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by RoomsbyZoyaB January 3, 2011 1:21 AM EST: As a big Oz fan, I designed a room http://www.youtube.com/user/roomsbyzoyab#p/a/u/1/_yi0_yUN_M4 for the 70th anniversary; Reply to this comment


by Dustin83v August 13, 2010 10:44 AM EDT: Frank Baum wrote satires about politics and America. He discusses problems with education, industry, and the military. Flying monkeys, for example, are like a cultural hob goblin without an apparent solution. His books were used for children's stories because he taught young people to watch for pitfalls.; Reply to this comment

by newmark3 August 13, 2010 9:48 AM EDT

I don't care how the picture looks. I have Loved the Wizard of Oz every since I was a kid, I am 50 years old and I still watch it every time it comes on TV. It will always be one of the greatest tv shows in History, Happy Anniversary Wizard Of OZ.

Reply to this comment


by mswolfestock August 13, 2010 1:17 PM EDT: " . . . . I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!"

"Oil can . . . oil can . . ."

"We represent the Lollipop Guild . . . . . we're here to welcome you to Munchkin Land."

" . . . . she's physically, morally, ethically, spiritually . . .and really most sincerely dead." ------- Munchkin Coroner

"C'mon, Dorothy, you don't want any of THOSE apples."

"Run, Toto, run!!"

"Pay no attention to that man behind the curtain - I AM OZ!!!!"

I'm with you, newmark. I love the Wizard of Oz movie. When I was a kid, we had black & white TV - I didn't get to see it in color until I was 18 years old. I left home and bought a little Sony Trinitron color TV, and oh my goodness what a joy it was from then on. I cry like a baby every time I watch it.


by btr2oz August 13, 2010 2:34 AM EDT: Perhaps the artist's initials are em hidden in the mountains.
And as long as people are plugging various Ozzities I will too:
My website for Oz items such as Scrapbooking material, books, soap, confetti http://www.beyondtherainbow2oz.com; Reply to this comment


by btr2oz August 13, 2010 2:29 AM EDT: I hope you all have seen Wicked the Musical at least one time.
See the show before you read the book, they are very different, both excellent, but the book is pretty sexy in some chapters.
I call it Oz's long pants.; Reply to this comment


by magicianofoz August 12, 2010 2:18 PM EDT: For those of you who are looking for a great sequel to the Wizard of Oz stories, try Magician of Oz and Shadow Demon of Oz. These are wonderful stories based on the original 14 books of L. Frank Baum and take place a hundred from the original stories with the great grandson of O.Z. Diggs (the original Wizard of Oz) and his adventures in Oz as he struggles to become Princess Ozma's new Royal Magician. Family of Oz, the 3rd volume of the Royal Magician of Oz Trilogy is due out in early 2011.

http://www.**********/dp/0578023539?tag=magofoz-20&camp=213381&creative=390973&********=as4&************=0578023539&adid=109JV9BM8W94YDW4RJ7A&

http://www.**********/Shadow-Demon-Oz-James-Wallace/dp/0578053853/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1281637059&sr=1-1; Reply to this comment


by firstfold August 12, 2010 12:10 PM EDT: You might enjoy these most unusual OZ related origami folds:

Horse of a Different Color
Polarized Origami Folded from clear cellophane then rotated between polarized filters to produce the changing color effects.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstfold/4817277136/

Tin Man Mask - folded from one sheet of paper
http://www.flickr.com/photos/firstfold/2614049004/

Flower - Of a Different Color
Polarized Origami Folded from clear cellophane then rotated between polarized filters to produce the changing color effects.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=42fTHC2WxyY; Reply to this comment


by wizardofozbooks August 12, 2010 11:56 AM EDT: With many new announcement about the wizard of oz movies in the news, you might want to consider starting to obtain Wizard of Oz book series either as collectible or investment at RareOzBooks.com.; Reply to this comment


by wizardofozbooks August 12, 2010 11:55 AM EDT: With many new announcement about the <a href="http://www.rareozbooks.com"> wizard of oz </a> movies in the news, you might want to consider starting to obtain <a href="http://www.rareozbooks.com">Wizard of Oz book</a> series either as collectible or investment at RareOzBooks.com.; Reply to this comment


by andrew_somer August 12, 2010 11:51 AM EDT: We love oz too! As such, we think you'll love what we have to offer for those super Oz fans - limited edition Oz posters signed by stars of the movie.

Check us out at www.totallycollectible.com

We offer hand signed, ltd edition items. Products are carried nationwide at top ent. places like: Disney World, MGM Vegas, Warner Bros. Shop & more. Friends Andy Marvel & Andrew Somer took a love of autographs movies & tv to create a business of memorabilia. Oz is a favorite of Andy & Andrew. Many Munchkins are friends of Andy. He?s also friends w Margaret Hamilton (Wicked Witch of the West). Andy & Andrew got licensing to create a ltd edtn Oz poster signed by 2 Munchkins. Signings for the 9 sig. & 2 sig. posters happened on Long Island. Munchkins are Jerry Maren-Lollipop Kid, Meinhard Raabe-Coroner, Clarence Swensen, Betty Tanner, Mickey Carroll, Nels Nelson, Karl Slover, Lewis Croft & Margaret Pellegrini. Addt'l items include The Munsters. Other signings have taken place too. Both Oz & Munsters have signatures from celebs who have since died. Products are collectible & valuable. Own a piece of Hollywood history.; Reply to this comment