The Wizard Of Oz

It seems slightly unfair to review this film as just about everyone is acquainted with the 1939 classic version of 'Oz' which had colour, songs and a fabulous cast, including Judy Garland in her defining role. As a result, it was extremely hard to avoid making comparisons - obviously this is a silent version (therefore, no songs) and was made more than a decade before (more primitive special effects).

Having said the above, this is unfortunately not an easy film to watch. The plot has been changed from the original story to something which never seems to quite make its mind up what it wants to be: something you want to avoid, particularly in a children's film, as this can easily result in boredom/confusion on the part of the viewer. There are too many scenes which seem forced and others underexploited, so we never really feel involved in the plot - unlike the Garland version.

In the same way, although certain members of the cast have charm, there are no really standout performances from the main characters. Larry Semon was a big name in his day, but the character of the good-natured loser was handled with far greater pathos by Chaplin. Semon does have a couple of fairly enjoyable moments, but these cannot compare with Chaplin even on an average day.

Turning to the look of the film, the special effects do look cheap (although the film apparently cost a great deal to make). There are fantasy films of the time which achieved a great deal of artistry - the Fairbanks version of 'The Thief of Baghdad' for instance - and it is a pity for the film that they did not make a greater effort on the artistic side for their version of the country of Oz.

A few asides...

This is packaged as a Laurel and Hardy vehicle, but Stan Laurel does not appear in it. Oliver Hardy is in fact the love interest, which is certainly intriguing casting!

Talking of which .... there is one cast member who does get my vote. Early in the film is a sequence featuring a beautiful exotic woman who appears out of a box - only it turns out to be a man (Frederick Ko Vert), who was a successful female impersonator of the time. He looks absolutely magnificent: I wish we could have seen more of him. A female impersonator in a children's film - now THAT really is intriguing casting!

This is bad! Before ordering I knew this wasn't laurel n hardy. I am a big fan of the boys, so the addition of oliver hardy was a bonus, but I was keen to see the original performance having just recently re-read the original L Frank Baum novel. Oh did I want this one to work. I had high hopes of this version, as early films are often very faithful to the book... uh-uh... not this one! This is NOTHING like the book or the more famous version of the film. It is very long and very boring! No witches, no tornadoes, no munchkins and no yellow brick road. It doesnt really make any sense but the idea seems to be that Dorothy is the long lost queen of Oz (by way of being dropped far far away from Oz as a baby), and she quite by accident arrives in Oz by way of flying house (no tornado though!). Her companions who travel with hwe in the house for some reason (still no idea!) turn into the lion, the tin man and a scarecrow (really... don't ask!). Dorothy seems to like the position she is given in Oz and starts ignoring all that were dear and true to her. Avoid like the plague and spare yourself the time and agony.

Got this film as i wanted to show my two children a laural and hardy film. It was dreadful, silent film for start off and not even a laural and hardy film. Yes they were in it, but as bit part actors long before they formed the clasic double act. SHOULD NOT BE ADVERTISED AS LAURAL AND HARDY!!!

This film is one for aficionados of Laurel and Hardy who want to see everything they ever did, together or individually. This silent film has a moustache-free Hardy and NO Laurel. That's right, it is NOT Laurel and Hardy, just something that Hardy did before the timeless team took shape. (The makers of the DVD bill it as Laurel and Hardy, shame on them, so don't blame ScreenSelect.) The acting is dire; the slapstick very tired and see-through. I didn't laugh once.

Pile of crap. Thought I was getting the Judy Garland version for my son who has never seen it, and instead ended up with a bizarre (to say the least)silent movie with Laurel and Hardy.

I have ordered the proper version and look forward to seeing that instead!