Now streaming on Peacock and available on VOD on June 12, “It’s Dorothy” is filmmaker Jeffrey McHale’s latest documentary. Arriving 126 years after L. Frank Baum’s book was published, 87 years after “The Wizard Of Oz” movie premiered in theaters, and 57 years after Judy Garland’s untimely passing, “It’s Dorothy” takes a deep dive into the lasting impact that the character of Dorothy Gale has left on our culture.
Even if you think you might be the ultimate aficionado of “The Wizard of Oz” phenomenon, you’ll likely be surprised at just how many “renditions” of Dorothy there are; something exemplified early in the movie by the montage of movie clips. From live action to animation, from silent, to singing and dancing, and from stage to big and little screens. Among the actresses inhabiting the role have been Ashanti, Danielle Hope, Fairuza Balk, Diana Ross, Nichelle Lewis, Stephanie Mills, Shanice Williams, and of course, Judy Garland.
The interview subjects that McHale gathered for the doc also cover a broad swath. There are several immediately recognizable names, including the aforementioned Ashanti and Balk, as well as queer authors Gregory Maguire (“Wicked”) and Roxanne Gay, along with John Waters, Rufus Wainwright, Lena Waithe, Amber Ruffin, and Margaret Cho. McHale also includes a variety of Oz experts, ranging from bloggers and writers to historians, in addition to Baum’s great granddaughter Gita Dorothy Morena, among others.
Aside from being extremely informative, there are several memorable moments, such as snippets from the audio recordings Garland made before she passed to chronicle her life. And the clips of the various musical artists who recorded or performed “Somewhere Over The Rainbow,” such as Eva Cassidy, Sarah Vaughan, Barbra Streisand, Israel Kamakawiwo’ole, Lady Gaga, Beyonce, Tori Amos, Celine Dion, and Patti LaBelle, are astounding. However, it was surprising that Jewel’s rendition, from 1995’s “The Wizard of Oz in Concert” on TBS, in which she co-starred with Nathan Lane, Roger Daltrey, and Jackson Browne, was excluded.
Furthermore, there are multiple occasions in which viewers might find themselves rethinking what they know about “The Wizard of Oz” and Dorothy. For example, there is an analysis of myths connected to Oz, such as the gay connection myth, the Judy Garland myth, the rainbow pride myth, and the friend of Dorothy myth, which is eye-opening. Moreover, Amber Ruffin’s observation about there never having been a more accurate depiction of a Black woman than Dorothy in “The Wiz” is revelatory. And Rufus Wainwright connecting the threats to the present-day LGBTQ community as being aligned with the dark forces that wanted to steal Dorothy’s ruby slippers is something to seriously consider.
Rating: B+
