In the 1980s, there were only 63 Black films by, for, or about Black Americans. But in the 1990s, that number quadrupled, with 220 Black films making their way to cinema screens nationwide. What sparked this “Black New Wave?” Who blazed this path for contemporaries like Ava DuVernay, Kasi Lemmons and Jordan Peele? And how did these films transform American culture as a whole? Presenting The Class of 1989, a new limited-run series from pop culture critics Len Webb and Vincent Williams, hosts ...
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The Wiz (1978)
Manage episode 518984044 series 2944823
Content provided by Whatever Entertainment. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Whatever Entertainment or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
The Wiz (1978) was chosen by show supporter Maff, who’s got a talent for picking bold, imaginative movies that really stand out from the pack. This time, he’s gone for one of the most ambitious musical productions ever made. The Wiz was Universal’s lavish reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, retold through the lens of African American culture and late-1970s New York style. Directed by Sidney Lumet — more famous for his gritty urban dramas like Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon — the film brought together an all-star cast including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. With a staggering $24 million budget, it was one of the most expensive musicals of its era, aiming to blend Broadway magic with the spectacle of big-screen fantasy.
The production was a monumental undertaking. Filming took place across New York City landmarks like the World Trade Center, the New York State Pavilion, and the Cyclone rollercoaster in Coney Island, all transformed into surreal fantasy settings. Legendary producer Quincy Jones oversaw the music, infusing the original Broadway score with disco, funk, and gospel influences. Despite its breathtaking ambition, The Wiz was plagued by production challenges, critical skepticism, and financial losses on release. However, in the years since, it has earned cult classic status — celebrated for its stunning visuals, imaginative choreography, and Michael Jackson’s breakout film performance. It may not have conquered the box office, but The Wiz remains a vibrant, soulful experiment that dared to take Oz somewhere entirely new.
If you enjoy the show, we have a Patreon, so become a supporter here.
Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up:
Trailer Guy Plot Summary
She wanted something more… but she never imagined this.
When a storm sweeps a shy Harlem schoolteacher into a world unlike anything she’s ever known, she must follow the road, face her fears, and find her way home — with the help of some unforgettable friends.
Starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor — from the streets of New York to the land of Oz, it’s a journey of music, magic, and pure 1970s soul.
*The Wiz* — ease on down the road to where dreams, disco, and destiny collide.
Fun Facts
The Wiz began as a Broadway musical in 1975, which won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical — long before the movie version was made.
Motown Productions co-financed the film, marking one of the first major studio partnerships between Hollywood and a Black-owned entertainment company.
Michael Jackson was only 19 years old when he starred as the Scarecrow — and the experience led to his lifelong creative partnership with Quincy Jones.
The film’s costume designer, Tony Walton, created over 300 costumes, many of which were made from recycled materials to give the movie’s world a gritty, urban feel.
Sidney Lumet’s wife, Gail Jones, the daughter of Lena Horne, helped convince Lumet to take on the project despite his lack of musical experience.
The movie’s version of “Ease on Down the Road” became a chart-topping hit for Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, reaching #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The yellow brick road was constructed from real vinyl flooring, giving it that glossy, otherworldly shine seen in the film.
The production used over 650 dancers for the film’s large-scale musical sequences — one of the biggest ensembles ever assembled for a musical at the time.
[email protected]
339 episodes
Share
Manage episode 518984044 series 2944823
Content provided by Whatever Entertainment. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Whatever Entertainment or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://podcastplayer.com/legal.
The Wiz (1978) was chosen by show supporter Maff, who’s got a talent for picking bold, imaginative movies that really stand out from the pack. This time, he’s gone for one of the most ambitious musical productions ever made. The Wiz was Universal’s lavish reimagining of The Wizard of Oz, retold through the lens of African American culture and late-1970s New York style. Directed by Sidney Lumet — more famous for his gritty urban dramas like Serpico and Dog Day Afternoon — the film brought together an all-star cast including Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, Nipsey Russell, Lena Horne, and Richard Pryor. With a staggering $24 million budget, it was one of the most expensive musicals of its era, aiming to blend Broadway magic with the spectacle of big-screen fantasy.
The production was a monumental undertaking. Filming took place across New York City landmarks like the World Trade Center, the New York State Pavilion, and the Cyclone rollercoaster in Coney Island, all transformed into surreal fantasy settings. Legendary producer Quincy Jones oversaw the music, infusing the original Broadway score with disco, funk, and gospel influences. Despite its breathtaking ambition, The Wiz was plagued by production challenges, critical skepticism, and financial losses on release. However, in the years since, it has earned cult classic status — celebrated for its stunning visuals, imaginative choreography, and Michael Jackson’s breakout film performance. It may not have conquered the box office, but The Wiz remains a vibrant, soulful experiment that dared to take Oz somewhere entirely new.
If you enjoy the show, we have a Patreon, so become a supporter here.
Referral links also help out the show if you were going to sign up:
Trailer Guy Plot Summary
She wanted something more… but she never imagined this.
When a storm sweeps a shy Harlem schoolteacher into a world unlike anything she’s ever known, she must follow the road, face her fears, and find her way home — with the help of some unforgettable friends.
Starring Diana Ross, Michael Jackson, and Richard Pryor — from the streets of New York to the land of Oz, it’s a journey of music, magic, and pure 1970s soul.
*The Wiz* — ease on down the road to where dreams, disco, and destiny collide.
Fun Facts
The Wiz began as a Broadway musical in 1975, which won seven Tony Awards, including Best Musical — long before the movie version was made.
Motown Productions co-financed the film, marking one of the first major studio partnerships between Hollywood and a Black-owned entertainment company.
Michael Jackson was only 19 years old when he starred as the Scarecrow — and the experience led to his lifelong creative partnership with Quincy Jones.
The film’s costume designer, Tony Walton, created over 300 costumes, many of which were made from recycled materials to give the movie’s world a gritty, urban feel.
Sidney Lumet’s wife, Gail Jones, the daughter of Lena Horne, helped convince Lumet to take on the project despite his lack of musical experience.
The movie’s version of “Ease on Down the Road” became a chart-topping hit for Diana Ross and Michael Jackson, reaching #41 on the Billboard Hot 100.
The yellow brick road was constructed from real vinyl flooring, giving it that glossy, otherworldly shine seen in the film.
The production used over 650 dancers for the film’s large-scale musical sequences — one of the biggest ensembles ever assembled for a musical at the time.
[email protected]
339 episodes
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Similar to The VHS Strikes Back
In the 1980s, there were only 63 Black films by, for, or about Black Americans. But in the 1990s, that number quadrupled, with 220 Black films making their way to cinema screens nationwide. What sparked this “Black New Wave?” Who blazed this path for contemporaries like Ava DuVernay, Kasi Lemmons and Jordan Peele? And how did these films transform American culture as a whole? Presenting The Class of 1989, a new limited-run series from pop culture critics Len Webb and Vincent Williams, hosts ...
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continue reading
Jim and A.Ron review each week's episode of HBO's House of the Dragon and your feedback.
…
continue reading
The Bechdel Cast is a podcast about the portrayal of women in movies hosted by Caitlin Durante and Jamie Loftus.
…
continue reading
Bald Move Pulp is where you can get your fix of robots, aliens, action space adventures, and everything in between; on television or on the big screen. Pulp was not made for serious drama, if that’s your thing, you might be looking for Bald Move Prestige.
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continue reading
DumTeeDum is a weekly podcast about The Archers featuring fans of Ambridge. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
…
continue reading
Each week actor & comedian Paul Scheer (Black Monday, The League) and film critic Amy Nicholson (LA Times Chief Film Critic ) watch and discuss the best movies out there. From the classics to new releases and every indie film in-between. Along the way, they’ll dissect iconic scenes, spotlight their favorite characters, and decide if these movies still stand the test of time.
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continue reading
Otaku Spirit Animecast is a series of podcast episodes that focus on Anime culture. Reviews, News, and tons of discussion. Stuff for all anime fans, from anime fans.
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continue reading
We see The Sci-Fi Christian, in all its iterations, as being about the collision between faith and nerdom. We believe that good genre fiction is about more than just entertainment. We seek to engage with the themes and philosophies behind our favorite stories, wrestling with the big ideas within speculative fiction. We’re unabashedly nerdy and unabashedly Christian. Even if your faith background differs from ours, we look forward to interacting with you at The Sci-Fi Christian!
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continue reading
The Ringer’s Mallory Rubin and Jason Concepcion return to take their signature deep dives into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, covering all 23 films!
…
continue reading
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Go offline with the Player FM app!
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