On the Cable RETRO channel tonight they aired the movie The Wiz, starring Diana Ross and Michael Jackson.  It first aired in 1978 and I remember when it first came out being upset that they were trying to mess with The Wizard of Oz, one of my all time favorite movies.  However, this version was entertaining (and by no means can be compared to the original). 

From IMBD here is the synopsis of The Wiz:  'In this version of the classic story - based on the smash Broadway musical - Dorothy is a shy 24-year-old Harlem kindergarten teacher who is brought by a snowstorm to the mysterious Land of Oz, a sprawling, decaying, nightmarish, and dangerous megalopolis that resembles the physical characteristics of New York City. The re-telling of the tale includes various urban settings, extreme sadness and melancholy, and features themes of rising above one's background and the expectations of others.'

The Wiz starred Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsey russell as the Tinman and Ted Ross as the Cowardly Lion.  With Lena Horne as Glinda the Good Witch and Richard Pryor as The Wiz.

They was great singing in The Wiz...I mean Ross and Jackson were/are fantastic singers.  And Russell and Pryor were great comedians.  So there was good entertainment value in The Wiz.

I do wonder what L. Frank Baum who wrote 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz', would have thought of The Wiz?  I'm not sure, but I think if you have never seen The Wiz, I think you should experience it. 

If given the choice though between The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz...well that's easy...The Wizard of Oz, hands down.

Have you seen The Wiz?  What did/do you think of The Wiz?  Let us know.  Hope to hear from you!