The Wiz (1978)

Directed by: Sidney Lumet | 128 minutes | adventure, family, fantasy, musical | Actors: Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Ted Ross, Mabel King, Theresa Merritt, Thelma Carpenter, Lena Horne, Richard Pryor, Stanley Greene, Clyde J. Barrett, Derrick Bell, Roderick-Spencer Sibert, Kashka Banjoko, Ronald’ Smokey’ Stevens, Tony Brealord, Joe Lynn, Clinton Jackson, Charles Rodriguez, Carlton Johnson, Ted Williams, Mabel Robinson, Damon Pearce, Donna Patrice Ingram, Harry Madsen, Glory Van Scott, Vicki Baltimore, Patti Austin, Roberta Flack, Robin Givens , Quincy Jones, Luther Vandross

Broadway has been a cash cow for Hollywood for years. Especially during the 1940s and 1950s, musicals were a bottomless pit of source material for movie bosses eager to get a share of the big successes that were achieved on Broadway. At the end of the sixties the bottom seemed in sight and few dared to film a musical. So it’s not surprising that by the time ‘The Wiz’ dominated the annual Tony Awards, people didn’t immediately think of a film adaptation of the wildly popular musical. However, producer Rob Cohen saw dollar signs in the eye and embarked on a mission, which took shape after he received a phone call from Motown boss Berry Gordy. His protégé – and the mother of his daughter Rhonda – Diana Ross had an ear for the role of Dorothy and with people like Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones in her circle of friends, the music would in any case be fine. Ross was “hot” after starring in “Mahogany” (1975), a Paramount production, and Universal wanted to piggyback on her success as well.

The story can be considered well-known, although the necessary adjustments have been made compared to ‘The Wizard of Oz’ (1939). For example, the main character Dorothy is not a dreamy twelve-year-old girl, but a shy kindergarten teacher in her mid-twenties from New York, played by Diana Ross. For reasons that never become clear to the viewer, she is uncomfortable when her aunt Emma (Theresa Merritt) has invited a house full of friends and family for an atmospheric dinner. When her dog Toto slips out into the snow, she runs after him, only to find herself in a blizzard that takes her to Oz. In this wondrous realm, she successively encounters a scarecrow without sense (Michael Jackson), a tin man without heart (Nipsey Russell) and a lion without courage (Ted Ross). Together they search for the wizard (Richard Pryor) who may be able to help them fulfill their wishes. Before that, however, they have to deal with the evil witch Evilline (Mabel King), who tries to put their foot down.

Screenwriter Joel Schumacher was contracted for this mega production. The man who started out as a costume designer and wrote scripts shortly before “The Wiz” for poorly received films like “Sparkle” and “Car Wash” (both 1976) could take a look at L. Frank Baum’s classic bestseller. He put a modern spin on Baum’s story by moving it from rural Kansas to the metropolitan turmoil of New York City. And who knows that city better than Sidney Lumet, the man who gifted film buffs with fantastic films such as ‘Serpico’ (1973), ‘Dog Day Afternoon’ (1975) and ‘Network’ (1977) during the 1970s? Although Lumet had no experience directing musicals, he rose to the challenge. Not much can go wrong with a project involving such big names, you would think. But while the film took home four Oscar nominations (all in creative and musical categories), ‘The Wiz’ went down in the history books as a failure. The press slammed the musical and the audience stayed away.

Is the movie really that bad? Compared to the 1939 film, yes. And that has everything to do with the mediocre development of the story and the characters. The intimate character of Victor Fleming’s original has given way to bombastic scenes without genuine emotions, which are only held together by a minimum of character development. As a result, the story drifts aimlessly from Dorothy’s inexplicable isolation within her family to her equally incomprehensible adventures in Oz. In addition, the acting is mediocre. Diana Ross, in particular, leaves a lot to be desired. Not only is his 34-year-old simply too old for the role of Dorothy, she also gets on the nerves with her constant pouting. Even her exceptional voice cannot save her performance. Unfortunately, we see far too little of actors such as Richard Pryor and Lena Horne (as the good witch Glinda) that are interesting on paper. Ted Ross (who also played the lion on Broadway) and the still very young Michael Jackson also reach a decent level, but can’t help that the acting as a whole falls short.

Like so many musicals, this film has to rely mainly on its external splendor. The sets, costumes (by Tony Walton) and make-up (by the illustrious Stan Winston) are meticulously cared for in detail and a feast for the eyes. L. Frank Baum’s classic has been given an urban makeover and the way it’s done deserves a lot of praise, because it also shows the grim side of a metropolis like New York. The music is also well taken care of, although it must be said that the uptempo songs (including ‘Can’t You Feel A Brand New Day’ and ‘Ease on Down the Road’) come out a lot better than the ballads. Especially the solo by Lena Horne – a grande dame of yore after all – and the closing song by Ross painfully miss their mark. Art-direction and music are so prominent that you don’t get anything from the story itself. Evillene, the wicked witch of the west, is billed as the evil genius, but we get to see her twice and in both scenes it is hardly clear why she is so hated. However, the song that actress Mabel King performs is of a decent level. It is indicative of the entire film. And you don’t expect that from Sidney Lumet, who is usually known for not being led by appearances and usually knows how to bring out the best in his actors.

‘The Wiz’ is the proverbial oddball in Sidney Lumet’s oeuvre. It should be clear: he was not cut out for musicals. If you want to dream intensely about the adventures of Dorothy and her dog Toto in the land of Oz, you better watch Victor Fleming’s 1939 version. Lumet’s modern version ‘The Wiz’ with its imposing and talented cast may look smashing and swinging at times, but the final reckoning shows us that it is nothing more than a colorful hot air balloon. Pierce that candy pink layer of varnish and there is very little left…