The Transformation of the Wizard of Oz Witch on Screen

By admin

The Wizard of Oz Witch is a prominent character in L. Frank Baum's classic novel "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" and its subsequent adaptations, including the iconic 1939 film adaptation. Often referred to as the Wicked Witch of the East or the Wicked Witch of the West, she is portrayed as a powerful and malevolent sorceress who seeks to hinder Dorothy and her companions on their journey to find the Wizard of Oz. In the story, the Wicked Witch of the East is crushed by Dorothy's house as it lands in the magical land of Oz. This event sets off a chain of events that ultimately leads to Dorothy's mission to defeat the Wicked Witch of the West and find a way back home to Kansas. The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her green skin, black hat, and flowing black robes.


Night Magic was originally entitled The Hall.I think it was Robert Lantos the producer of the film who gave it the name Night Magic. The Hall a classic Cohenism was too prosaic for Mr. Lantos. He went on to become along with Garth Drabinski Canada’s most successful producer and yet when I asked him years later how it felt to have succeeded he told me he felt like a loser. “Why?” I asked?

We had a nothing budget and Robert Lantos who had produced the movie ran out of money so we the principal players threw some of our salaries back in. And like the Spurs after Game 1 this year with Tony Parker saying it felt like a European gym and Tim Duncan saying it was like the Virgin Islands where he grew up Bird said after the game he was used to this.

Night magic 1984

The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her green skin, black hat, and flowing black robes. She is depicted as a terrifying figure who commands an army of flying monkeys and uses her magical powers to try to stop Dorothy and her friends. Throughout the story, the Wizard of Oz Witch serves as the main antagonist and obstacle for Dorothy, seeking to retrieve the magical silver slippers that Dorothy inadvertently obtained after the house landed on the Wicked Witch of the East.

When the Finals got hot before: Game 5, 1984, Bird vs. Magic in “heat game”

BOSTON - JUNE 8: Larry Bird #33 of the Boston Celtics passes against Magic Johnson #32 of the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Five of the 1984 NBA Finals played on June 8, 1984 at Boston Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. Boston defeated Los Angeles 121-103. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 1984 NBAE (Photo by Dick Raphael/NBAE via Getty Images)

SAN ANTONIO — It was hot, temperatures above 90 degrees, in the AT&T Center for Game 1 of the 2014 NBA Finals. LeBron James cramped up , the Heat players wilted and San Antonio went on a 26-9 run to end the game and win Game 1 .

It was wild — but it was not unprecedented.

Thirty years ago almost to the day, June 8, 1984, the Boston Celtics beat the Los Angeles Lakers in what became known as “the heat game.” It was reportedly 97 degrees in the old Boston Garden— a building that didn’t have air conditioning in it (why would you need that in an arena also used for hockey?). Boston was suffering through a heat wave and that made the building sweltering, more so that what the Heat and Spurs faced Thursday night.

The enduring image of 2014’s Game 1 is LeBron James being carried off the court with cramps. The enduring image out of 1984 comes at the 3:44 mark of the video above: a 37-year-old Kareem Abdul-Jabbar with the oxygen mask over his face, sucking in air as he tries to get rested and back on the court.

“I suggest,” Abdul-Jabbar said after the game ( via NBA.com ), “that you go to a local steam bath, do 100 pushups with all your clothes on, then try to run back and forth for 48 minutes. The game was in slow motion. It was like we were running in mud.”

It was so hot referee Hugh Evans had to stop at halftime due to dehydration, reported Bob Ryan of the Boston Globe .

The 1984 NBA Finals was the one everyone had been waiting for, finally Magic Johnson and Larry Bird were going to square off on the NBA’s biggest stage (it was David Stern’s first Finals as commissioner, he certainly lucked into a lot of things early in his tenure). The series didn’t disappoint, going seven games (with Bird and the Celtics ultimately prevailing, the first salvo in the great rivalry of the 1980s).

Bird owned Game 5 — 34 points on 15-of-20 shooting, plus grabbing 17 boards. And like the Spurs after Game 1 this year (with Tony Parker saying it felt like a European gym and Tim Duncan saying it was like the Virgin Islands where he grew up) Bird said after the game he was used to this.

“I play in this stuff all the time back home. It’s like this all summer.”

(As a side note pointed out by my boss Rick Cordella , maybe the most classic part of the above video is near the end, at the 6:15 mark, when a guy just lights up a cigarette in the building as the fans celebrate, Mad Men style. That was just a different era.)

Stuff happens in an NBA Finals. Unexpected stuff. What matters is who adapts, who adjusts, who just finds a way to play through that and win.

In 1984 that was Larry Bird and the Celtics.

Thirty years later round one goes to the Spurs.

Article By Nick Mancuso
Wizard of oz witch

The witch's primary goal is to gain control over the silver slippers and use their power to increase her own magical abilities. However, Dorothy and her companions manage to outsmart and ultimately defeat the Wicked Witch of the West. The Wicked Witch of the West is known for her iconic line, "I'll get you, my pretty, and your little dog too!", as well as her terrifying cackling laugh. Her character has become synonymous with evil witches in popular culture and is often depicted as the archetypal witch with a green complexion, pointed hat, and broomstick. Despite her villainous role, the Wizard of Oz Witch also serves as a symbol of the struggle between good and evil, and the importance of bravery, friendship, and the power of belief. Through her defeat, Dorothy learns valuable lessons about courage, self-confidence, and the strength to overcome adversity. In conclusion, the Wizard of Oz Witch is a memorable and iconic character in the world of literature and film. Her portrayal as the Wicked Witch of the East and the Wicked Witch of the West has left a lasting impact on popular culture, symbolizing the embodiment of evil and the protagonist's journey to conquer fear and achieve their goals..

Reviews for "The Wizard of Oz Witch: A Cultural Archetype"

1. Emma - 1/5 stars - I was really disappointed with "Wizard of oz witch". The plot was weak and the characters were underdeveloped. The story felt rushed and I couldn't connect with any of the characters. The dialogue was cliché and the acting was subpar. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and I wouldn't recommend it to anyone.
2. David - 2/5 stars - "Wizard of oz witch" didn't live up to the hype for me. While the visuals were stunning, the storyline was confusing and disjointed. I had a hard time following the plot and understanding the motivations of the characters. The acting was average at best, and I felt like the movie lacked depth. It had potential, but it fell short in execution.
3. Rachel - 2/5 stars - I expected more from "Wizard of oz witch" but unfortunately, it fell flat for me. The special effects were impressive, but they couldn't make up for the lack of a compelling story. The pacing was off, and I found myself losing interest halfway through. The performances were forgettable, and I didn't connect with any of the characters. Overall, it was a disappointing experience and I wouldn't recommend it.
4. John - 1/5 stars - I was extremely disappointed with "Wizard of oz witch". The plot was predictable and filled with clichés. The characters were one-dimensional and lacked depth. The dialogue was cheesy and the acting was over the top. I found myself cringing throughout the entire movie. It felt like a wasted opportunity to create something magical, but instead, it was a complete letdown.
5. Laura - 2/5 stars - "Wizard of oz witch" had a lot of potential, but it failed to deliver. The visuals were impressive, but the story was lacking. It felt like a rehash of similar fantasy films, without bringing anything new to the table. The pacing was slow, and the characters lacked development. Overall, it was a forgettable experience and I wouldn't recommend it.

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