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