Has it been 30 years already? Yes, indeed, it has. Funny just a few years ago, I couldn't find the Wiz, had to bid for it on e-bay.

This priceless movie celebrates 30 years with Diana Ross as Dorothy, Michael Jackson as the Scare Crow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross, not related to Diana, as the Cowardly Lion. Supporting cast members were Mabel King, Lena Horne and Richard Pryor, the Wiz.

I can recall when this movie was released, and the haters were in full force. Everyone was upset with Diana because they felt that Stephanie Mills, who played it on Broadway, should have done the movie. Diana explained that when you read the book, "The Wizard of Oz", it did not define an age. I love Ms. Ross but wanted Stephanie to play it as well, I had seen it on Broadway and Ms. Mills was unbelievable.

Diana's Wiz was in the Harlem, NYC, and many felt that it was too afro-centric but Ms. Ross wanted something that all children of, perhaps, poor families and of color could related to. It wasn't that she was putting her people down as some believed, what she was trying to express is that you can always reach out of whatever situation, take a giant step.

Sid Lumet, director and, Lena Horne's, son in law, received bad reviews, probably because he was white and not because it was a bad film. Mr. Quincy Jones did the movie score and it made you want to jump out of your seat, especially when you arrived at the Emerald City, with each color change, green, red then gold, you wanted to visit this colorful place.

It's funny but now this movie is called a classic and is 30 years old.

Happy Birthday!