Happy Birthday, Great & Powerful Oz!

It's hard to believe that Dorothy, Toto, and the gang made their big-screen debut in August, 1939—70 years ago! To celebrate seven decades of munchkins and merriment, a digitally remastered DVD collection and a hi-def Blu-Ray edition will be released next month, and movie theaters across the country will host one-night screenings throughout the fall.

Serious Oz fans can attend OZtoberFEST (www.oztoberfest.com) in Wamego, Kansas, a town that has apparently embraced all things Oz more than any other in the state. Taking place October 3-4, the festival will feature appearances by four of the original munchkins, autographs with Roger and Robert Baum, great-grandsons of L. Frank Baum, hot air balloon rides, a display of dresses worn by Judy Garland in the movie, and special presentations.

I don't think I'll make it to Kansas, unfortunately, but I do plan to attend the one-night screening in my area on September 23. And I'll celebrate again in May, with the release of Ruby's Slippers!

(FYI, Ruby loves The Wizard of Oz. LOVES it. It's her favorite movie of all time—and for very good reason!)