We're off to see the Wizard

Posted by Vicki on 16.05.05

The Judy Garland film version of 'The Wizard of Oz' shaped the world in much the same way as 'Alice's adventures in Wonderland' and through the Looking Glass did. Both took surreal environments and endeavoured to convey the importance of remembering good manner, retaining good humour and following directions closely.

Unless you believe that little girls should steal shoes from the dead or keep company with sarcastic hairy caterpillars with a drug habit who loath giving straight answers I wouldn't advise that either Alice or Dorothy be held up as role models.

However the other likely candidates at present are perhaps slightly flawed:

Avril might have cornered the niche market on parent-friendly faux-rebellion, but it is hardly feminism empowerment to state that "we all have choices, we all have voices" whilst punching through walls to access pink paint; it's also somehow less acceptable than melting senior citizens.

Crucified Barbara may produce enjoyable sleazy glam-tinged punk, but give the impression of being able to outdrink most male bands - with the lyric to 'Bad hangover' reading "I don't know who I am and I don't know where I've been, I woke up with my boots on in a bottle of gin", and then wetting themselves. Additionally their habit of cutting up band t-shirts could lead to some cold drafts - which wouldn't help if your house had been whisked away by freak winds.

The Muppet's version of 'The Wizard of Oz' will be interesting as Ms Piggy plays the roles of all the witches. However I can't help but feel the part of Alice's Red Queen would challenge her abilities more and Quentin Tarantino would make the perfect pig baby.