For many reasons, the Wizard of Oz is one of the most recognized film in history. At the time, it’s drastic presentation in color was groundbreaking. However, it lives on with recent generations due to it’s incredible music (and likely the nostalgia that creates!). Take for instance Judy Garland singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow”. This song evokes only one memory when one hears it; The Wizard of Oz. In addition, it speaks to a young girl’s questions about her future and what it holds as well as her aspirations of what lies ahead for her. Listen for yourself:
It’s soon into the movie when the music accentuates the approaching twister. By increasing in magnitude, the score leaves no doubt that Dorothy is increasing danger. Without the score, the suspense would be much less. The viewer would simply see Dorothy struggling against a twister that may or may not endanger herself and Toto.
There were many prounounced themes woven into the movie. In some instances, like Dorothy singing “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” the sound is soft and contemplative. When Dorothy gets sucked up into the twister the score is dynamic and somewhat exciting. This particular piece of the score occurs throughout the movie in various scenes, connecting all of the wonderment of Dorothy’s experience together. The score is greatly responsible for setting the tone or attitude of particular themes. Whether the delight Dorothy experiences when first experiencing Munchkinland to the doom music played when the Wicked Witch arrives, the score leaves the viewer no doubt about what is happening in the movie.
When it comes to specific sounds, I would quickly defer to the evil laugh of the Wicked Witch of the West:
http://www.soundboard.com/sb/wicked_witch
Anyone remotely close to the movie will instantly recognize this as her cackle! There are other sounds like the singing of the witch’s castle guards, the high pitched voices of the munchkins and the sound of the wicked witch of the west flying on her broomstick that are clearly representative of the movie.
For the era in which it was produced, I think the staff did an excellent job with the sound. Technology was not so far advanced, yet the film staff were able to create sounds and dialougue, coupled with a great score, that was purely indivudualistic to the film.
References:
soundboard.com, (2015). Wicked witch of the west. Retrieved from: https://www.soundboard.com/sb/wicked_witch
caiolasthoughts 