Retriever, November 6, 1978 9 ~~w~~w~======;:======'The Wiz' Dorothy in different time zone

Hv Paul Strohl The Wiz, ·a film version of the Broadway play based on the L. Frank Baum story The Wizard of Oz, has just opened in Baltimore. It stars Diana Ross (as Dorothy), Michael Jackson (as the Scarecro~), Nipsey Russell (as the Tinmanl. Ted Ross (as the Cowardly Linn). and Richard Pryor (as the Wiz). CtJmparisons between this version and the 1939 MGM version are bound to be made. hut The Wiz actually follows the tniginal story more closely. True, the special effects are better in the 1939 version. hut things were cheaper then. Each film reflects its time period, and The ·wiZ' is Without a doubt a product of the 1970's. The story follows the adventures of a young school teacher (Diana Ross) who gets lost in a snowstorm and ends up in the magical Land of Oz (which looks strangely like New York City). She meets the Scarecrow, Tinman. and the Lion and they go to see the Wiz inside the Em.erald City. He sends them to destroy the Wicked Witch, and although the obstacles are great, eventually. every­ thing turns out well. What do you expect with a "G" rating? Obviously, it isn't the complex plot that makes.this film worthwhile. It's the exotic costumes and fantastic sets. Of course. the songs and dances help too, hut the most amazing thing about the film is the way that they transform New York into a fantasy world, complete with killer-subways and carnivorous trash­ cans. The Wiz tries to capture the spirit of social satire which Baum aimed for in the original book (and was ignored in the 1939 version). Instead of poppyfields--a that they had to get actors who could also Nipsey Russell (as the Tinman) is doesn't have to sing. redlight district. Instead of flying sing. The result is better singing, but the superb. Too bad the character has so few Technically the film has major monkeys--a motorcycle gang. The Wiz acting suffers. It is uneven. lines. He is funny and lovable. His problems, in that the camera never (Richard Pryor) is a municipal politician Diana Ross definitely can sing, but costume is the best and he understands seems to move. But I guess that's the and the Wicked Witch runs a garment somehow doesn't capture the wide-eyed his character well. nature of chorus/ dance photography. It factory. Although these characters are :innocence of Dorothy. was put together by theater people and played for comedy. the deeper signific­ Michael Jackson and Ted Ross also Richard Pryor doesn't appear to lnoks it. Not that this is bad, just that it is ance is there if you look. It isn't just a don't have the right feel for their parts. understand anything and is the weakest very limited. Within its limits. The Wiz children's film. They sing and dance but leave much to actor in the film. He talks too fast and is good entertainment--and if you watch . The acting is limited by the problem he desired. reads his lines off cards. Fortunately, he closely it might make you think. Elton John is missing more than Taupin

.IJy Ellen Udell album. But it ends there, and again show. The song includes the harmonies The second side was a vast becomes too repetitious. of the Watford Football Team and the improvement on the first. "Part-Time Elton's back! He should have stayed Probably the best cut from the first Stmth Audley Street Girls Choir. This Love'' brought back memories of the old where he was. side is the fourth one, "Big Dipper. " blending of voices gives the song a Elton John. With his straight piano His new album. ''A Single Man,'' This tune is reminiscent of the old time unique difference from the rest of the opening. the listeners feel that they are shows that he never should have gospel. You can almost visualize John album. inviting an old friend home. His voice in "divorced" Bernie Tau$in. The lyrics, southern states. Again the voices from The final song on the first side, "It some parts sounds almost like Cat as a whole. lack unity. ary Osborne is the football team and the girl's choir add Ain't Gonna Be Easy." is a complete Stevens. It's a very upbeat song, and not up to par with Tau in. I will never to the melodic scheme of the selection. waste of time. It's one of the longest possibly one of the best on the disc along understand why some ;artists feel they . ''Shonting Star'' is a duplicate copy of stmgs on the album. but it has no reason with the next one. I must ruin a good thing. John and Taupin "Candle In The Wind," and since the to be. I am not against long songs, but "Genrgia" is probably the only/ cut were able to produce masterpieces. first was a masterpiece, no sequel can when they just keep going and never that shows a unity between the music Snmething between them seemed to come near it. The lyrics and beat are seem to say anything, there is no reason and the lyrics. In this relaxing click. But on this album it's as if John's shufflin' across the stage in a mmstret fnr it. movement, the comparison is q1ade music is fighting with Osborne's lyrics between progress and the easy life in the for attention. It reminds me of two kids hoth on the elementary side. · who won't share. "Madness" showed definite promise, The first side is definitely worse than until John opened his mouth. It's a fast the second side. "Shine One Through," moving rock song with a lot of potential. the first cut. has a very slow, but again. the lyrics leave a lot to be mnnotnnous beat. The lyrics are desired. ' iuvenile. and the song just doesn't seem The most moving song was "Song for ·tn flow. As the song says, "I've wasted Guy.'' This instrumental is dedicated to my time." a messenger boy the group had, who . ·The second song is a little better. died in a motorcycle accident. This is the "Return to Paradise" starts with a only thing on the album that shows Hawaiian melody: that in itself is nice. John's talents as a musiciaJ1. The But the lvrics co~trast ttJO much with the selection is almost symphonic in mell)dy to make it enjoyable. At one structure. It brings a nice end to a point . John is trying new styles for disappointing album. himself. he experiments with Beach Because Elton John went into Bovs tvpe harmony. It works well with prolonged retirement. his comeback .Tohn's voice. hut not with this song. album should have been close to a "I Dnn 't Care" starts with a very · spectacular event. Instead this album. promising uphl"at t)f "Your Sister Can't for the· most part. is a failure and an Twist. hut ShP \an Rock and Roll" from insult to his fans who waited-m5 patiently thP "Gqqdbve YPllow Brick Road" for his return.