Focus on Film: The Wiz

To celebrate Black History Month, this week’s film is The Wiz. In this funky rendition of L. Frank Baum’s ageless tale, an all-black cast stars Diana Ross as Dorothy, a Harlem schoolteacher. She and her dog, Toto, get caught in a blizzard and are transported to the magical land of Oz. Michael Jackson plays Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell is the Tin Man, and Ted Ross is Lion. Nominated for numerous Oscars, the musical score was by Quincy Jones with Sidney Lumet as director. Filmed in New York. 1978; 135 minutes.