Female film heroes: Dorothy Gale from The Wizard of Oz

Katie Button takes the female film heroes series on a journey somewhere over the rainbow

For some poor folks, the last time they heard timeless classic ‘Somewhere Over the Rainbow’ was from gap-toothed rug-rat Connie on Britain’s Got Talent. Such a song is deserving of more than a tot in pursuit of TV glory, and it received the royal treatment when sung by Judy Garland in the 1939 musical. Originally a book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz by L. Frank Baum in 1900, the film has surpassed its literary roots to become a masterpiece of cinema, with a never-better Garland in the central role of Dorothy. Now considered a byword for being gay, Dorothy is our heroine, a small-town girl who wishes to experience life away from her family’s farm in Kansas.

Now, I’m not going to patronise any Dollymixers by further explaining the plot – this is The Wizard of Oz after all. Who doesn’t know about the yellow brick road, the munchkins and the Wicked Witch of the West? But where this Bank Holiday favourite truly excels is through Garland and the genuine emotion of her performance. Dorothy learns to appreciate her family, her home and all that she has, and all the while remaining loyal to her newfound friends. She refuses to be intimidated by the Wizard and is committed to her journey home, whatever the cost (and we all know those flying monkey things are scary.)

The Wizard of Oz might be a soppy family film, with heavy-handed morals and a narrow worldview, and though Dorothy might not be the fashionable vote for a celluloid heroine – who can dispute her credentials when she can warble like this? Enjoy some heart-warming nostalgia and slice of elegant Americana.

Katie Button writes for TV Scoop, Liverpool Pies and Star Trip. She doesn't have a dog called Toto but really fancies some ruby slippers.

Comments

The comments to this entry are closed.