Am I the only one who finds it really racist?

You're right. Race shouldn't matter in society, and we're all very much the same. Our differences are miniscule to the point of non-existence compared to that which we share.

But you have to look at "The Wiz" in a historical context...as a product of the 1970s.

In 1975, this was pretty much the first lavishly produced STAGE musical on Broadway that was primarily CREATED BY African-Americans: The composer/lyricist, producer, director, choreographer, costume designer, orchestrator, musical director, etc. There had been a number of Broadway musicals with all-black casts, but none this opulent or successful, for which the principal creative team were African-American.

In a way, this was what made "The Wiz" particulary significant in 1975, especially when it became the season's biggest hit, won all the major awards, ran successfully in New York for four years, on national tour even longer, and was patronized by BOTH black and white audiences.

The original stage production (which I was lucky enough to see four times...once in N.Y. and three times in L.A.) CELEBRATED African-American contributions to the larger American culture: musically, visually, and linguistically. It was a "translation" of Baum's story; not a spoof or satire.

When "The Wiz" was made into a film in '78 it was never intended to appeal ONLY to African-Americans. That is not how film studio executives operate. They want to attract the young, the old, families, seniors, blacks, whites, one-legged dyslexic Martians, and anyone else who can afford the price of a ticket.

Predictably, the principal talent BEHIND THE CAMERA of the film version were all white, with the exception of Quincy Jones and choreographer Louis Johnson. I contend that THIS MAY HAVE BEEN A MISTAKE, artistically. There were not very many African-American film directors in the '70s, and those who HAD made successful motion pictures (Gordon Parks and Michael Schultz, notably), never helmed anything nearly this large or expensive. They probably should have picked Geoffrey Holder or Gilbert Moses to direct the film (the directors of the original stage production) but studio executives are not widely noted for their records of risking HUGE sums on first-time filmmakers. [In '78, only "Superman" had a bigger budget.]

Compared to the stage production (and for lack of better words) my personal feeling is that the film somewhat lost the "warmth" and "love" and "electricity" that made the show a big enough hit to warrant a movie adaptation in the first place. Some will disagree. I think you just had to have seen both in their original forms to understand what I'm talking about.

I think your quote stating, "I dont think people would be happy if I decided to make films where the one rule is that EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the film HAD to be white" is not valid in a historic context. This was the rule for MANY DECADES. Thankfully this "all-white" rule doesn't hold up very well with contemporary-themed productions in 2008, but 30 years ago, and long before, this was STANDARD OPERATING PROCEDURE. If one saw an African-American in a starring role, or even a significant supporting role, it was notable.

When the MGM/Judy Garland production of "The Wizard Of Oz" was made in the late-30s, NOBODY considered casting Bill "Bojangles" Robinson, certainly one of the most revered dancers of his generation (and a much bigger star than Jack Haley or Ray Bolger, largely from his previous work in Shirley Temple vehicles), in the role of the Tinman or the Scarecrow. It was absolutely out of the question! Inconceivable! They would have been unable to exhibit this film anywhere in the South! There probably would have been picket lines, cross-burnings, and possibly worse!

There's American history involved here. Thirty years ago when "The Wiz" was first released, few would have believed that an African-American could be elected to the U.S. Presidency in the forseeable future. It's as interesting to view "The Wiz" in a historical context of popular culture in the 1970s as it is to view D.W. Griffith's "The Birth Of A Nation" in the context of 1914, Eugene O'Neill's play "The Emperor Jones" in the context of the 1920s, George Gershwin's opera "Porgy And Bess" in the context of the 1930s, Lorraine Hansbury's "A Rasin In The Sun" in the context of the 1950s, Stanley Kramer's "Guess Who's Coming To Dinner" in the context of the 1960s, and other selected successful works throughout the decades, that have examined American attitudes as they relate to African-Americans.

But are you as offended when you see thousands of films with only white performers? Are the makers saying that white people can only enjoy films with a white cast?

A very long time ago I was working at a hotel; I was young, and to think about it today, what I said was real dumb. But I was earnest. I told this young gay white gentleman, that although I am black I don't read Ebony or Jet magazines because I thought seeking materials out that appeal to one group is racist. He opened my eyes when he deadpan-ed with, then how do you keep up with things unique to you?
I will always thank him for telling me that.

A bunch of red roses are beautiful, and a bunch of mixed wild flowers are beautiful too. It's all art. The colors are used to tell the story. the meaning would have changed had the film maker changed the cast to all white or mixed cast. Dorothy's 'over the rainbow' is Harlem of the 1970s, but In particular it is Dorothy's world. Even in Oz her intimates are from her neighborhood.

your retarded! the wizard of oz was all white so was most of the movies for the 30s jeez

Well, in most movies every single character is white. Especially those from the 70's.

I think you're *beep* mental.

"I dont think people would be happy if I decided to make films where the one rule is that EVERY SINGLE PERSON in the film HAD to be white! "

Have you ever seen an American film made between the years 1915 and 1960? I'll make this easier - have you ever seen the original Wizard of Oz?

What's the Spanish for drunken bum?

Yeah Im sure some ppl would be angry, but any musical or movie itself reflects the time it was made. I'm actually glad The Wiz had a all black cast! It wouldn't have been the same if a white person was in it! The same goes for Purple Rain or The Color Purple. They were all great movies, I think its just ppl being stupid and prejudice. They love to live in the past, when all races werent suppose to be equal. Time to move on!! LOL.




And yes by the way Im white!

First of all great post denbeez.

Though I think some people on here are confusing the idea that films which have an all white aren't necessarily done so with that intention, with films like this one which has obviously made a conscious decision to do so.

However in this film I think it is entirely plausable for this to be done from a none-racist stand point. As the main character as is mentioned in the film has never ventured very far from home at all, and lives no doubt in a predominantly black neighbourhood, and since we know that the whole series of events are cunjured up from the main characters imagination, it makes sense that the characters in it would be composed of people from her neighbourhood.

So no, I don't think this film is racist.