The Wizard of Oz

The Cape Cinema presents a special screening of The Wizard of Oz to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the film’s world premiere in Dennis. The now-classic film premiered at the Cape Cinema on August 11, 1939, four days before its openings in New York and Los Angeles, continuing for a one-week run on Cape Cod. The event was advertised in local newspapers and featured an after-party at the Playhouse Restaurant which was attended by many Broadway and Hollywood notables.

Notable for its use of Technicolor, fantasy storytelling, musical score and unusual characters, over the years it has become one of the best known of all films and part of American popular culture. It also featured what may be the most elaborate use of character make-ups and special effects in a film up to that time. At the Cape Cinema, the anniversary screening will be show in the film’s original 35mm format with a special aspect ratio lens used for the opening Kansas Sequence. (PG, 102 mins.)