Although known for its use of black/white and Technicolor to establish two worlds, the Wizard of Oz also impressively uses sound to enhance its storytelling. There are three basic categories for sound within a film; dialogue, sound effects, and music.
Dialogue is spoken between two characters and works with what is visually happening on the screen to create the skeleton of the film and develop the plot. It is the dialog that creates the interaction between characters, and The Wizard of Oz contains dialog that transcends generations. “I don’t think that we’re in Kansas anymore” in modern vernacular is said when responding to a strange event.
While in Kansas, the dialog is more realistic. However, while in Oz, the dialog is more like a fairytale with each character’s dialog reflecting their established personality. For example, the Good Witch’s dialog is light and wise, and the Wicked Witch’s dialog cruel and sharp. Because it is a musical, The Wizard of Oz, uses dialog combined with song to establish the characters and their backstory. Because the film is a fantasy, dialog also helps to clue in the audience concerning important information relevant to the plot. Dialog is also critical for a smooth transition into a song. For example:
Dorothy (speaking to the Scarecrow): What would you do with a brain if you had one?
Scarecrow: Do? (Sings “If I Only Had a Brain”)
Sound effects are typically recorded separately and then added to the film. Sound effects can be as loud and large as a car explosion or as quiet and mundane as a faucet drip. These are the sound of everything outside of the dialog or music; they set the mood, and are critical to the storytelling. From the bright, fantastical sound of the Good Witch’s pink bubble to the sulfurous explosive cloud of the Wicked Witch, The Wizard of Oz is full of fanciful and terrifying sound effects that often take the audience by surprise.
The music of the Wizard of Oz is iconic. Its soundtrack, or the songs sung by its characters, are well-know and well loved; most notably “Over the Rainbow.” However, the score or background music, although not sung at cabaret night, is equally recognizable.
The Wizard of Oz is a great example of how a film layers, dialog, music and sounds. Whimsical background music accompanies the sounds of the tornado along with the sounds of each object as they fly by the window of Dorothy’s tornado captured house. The upbeat playful score transitions to iconic Wicked Witch of the West entrance music as Miss Gulch passes by the window on her bike. Even before the image of Miss Gulch dissolves into the Wicked Witch, the audience recognizes her entrance music as impending bad news. Without these sounds, Dorothy would be simply viewing things flying by her window without the audience having the context of why. However, just as important, there would be no power or energy in the scene and would create a surrealistic view of the fantastical from the perspective of someone who was deaf.
There are a number of themes in The Wizard of Oz, one of which is the importance of the journey, and learning from that journey. Each of the songs in The Wizard of Oz builds on each character’s journey toward self-discovery. Additionally, the background music enlightens the audience to each element of Dorothy and her friends journey; lighthearted music for skipping or ominous flapping of the flying monkey’s wings.
Goodykoontz, B., & Jacobs, C. P. (2014). FILM: FROM WATCHING TO SEEING. Bridgepoint Education, Inc.
IHEARTTHEWIZARDOFOZ. (2010, June 27). The Wizard of Oz: Cyclone Clip [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WhQySxqSANU
MOVIECLIPS. (2011, May 26). If I Only Had a Brain – The Wizard of Oz (4/8) Movie CLIP (1939) HD [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nauLgZISozs
WB Movies. (2010, April 19). Wicked Witch of the West – The Wizard Of Oz [Video file]. Retrieved from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Leb83bRkXDg
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