In 1978, Diana Ross starred in the musical film “The Wiz,” an all-Black adaptation of “The Wizard of Oz.” Ross played Dorothy, a young woman who is swept away to the magical land of Oz by a tornado. There, she meets a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion, and together they journey to meet the Wiz, who can send Dorothy back home.
The film was a critical and commercial failure, but it has since gained a cult following. Ross’s performance was nominated for a Golden Globe Award for Best Actress – Motion Picture Musical or Comedy, and the film’s soundtrack was a hit, spawning the disco classic “Ease on Down the Road.”
Here are some other interesting facts about “The Wiz”:
- The film was directed by Sidney Lumet, who is best known for his gritty dramas like “Dog Day Afternoon” and “Serpico.”
- The screenplay was written by Joel Schumacher, who went on to direct films like “The Lost Boys” and “Falling Down.”
- The film’s score was composed by Quincy Jones, who has won 8 Grammy Awards and an Oscar.
- The film’s costumes were designed by Theoni Vachlioti, who won an Academy Award for her work on “Cabaret.”
- The film’s special effects were created by Industrial Light & Magic, the company that created the special effects for the “Star Wars” films.
Despite its mixed reception, “The Wiz” remains an important film in African-American cinema. It was one of the first Hollywood films to feature an all-Black cast and crew, and it helped to pave the way for other films like “Do the Right Thing” and “Boyz n the Hood.”