HOLLYWOOD -- Michelle Wil-
liams, just Oscar nominated for
her portrayal of Marilyn Monroe
in "My Week with Marilyn," is tak-
ing on another huge female legend
-- Glinda, the Good Witch of the
North, Disney's "Oz: The Great and
Powerful" is a prequel to the 1939
Judy Garland classic, "The Wizard of
Oz"; both are based on the 1900 L.
Frank Baum novel, "The Wonderful
Wizard of Oz." Billie Burke, who
created Glinda in the original film,
was actually 54 years old when she
played the beautiful good witch. It
also stars James Franco as Oscar
Diggs (who becomes the Wizard);
"The Good Gardener" Oscar winner
Rachel Weisz (recently wed to the
current James Bond, Daniel Craig);
Mila Kunis of "That '70s Show"
and "Friends With Benefits"; and
"Scrubs" star Zach Graff.
The budget for the film is $200 mil-
lion, afar cry from the $2.7 million
it cost MGM to make the original.
"The Wizard of Oz" was considered
a flop in its initial release, taking in
only $3 million at the box office. A
re-release shortly after brought in
$1.5 million, starting-it on its "Yel-
low Brick Road" to profit. In 1956,
CBS paid a whopping $225,000 for
its first TV airing, watched by 44
million people. CBS showed it once
a year for the next 20 years. In 1983,
a reissue of the film made $6 million
at the box office, prompting MGM
to demand $13 million from CBS to
air it that year.
Not everything Oz is golden.
The 1985 sequel "Return to Oz,"
based on two Baum books, "The
Marvelous Land of Oz" and "Ozma
of Oz," had a budget of $25 mil-
lion and only took in $11,137,801.
The charming 14-year-old Fairuza
Balk (later to star opposite Marion
Brando in the 1996 film "The Island
of Dr. Moreau"), was Dorothy. Piper
Laurie, Oscar nominated for "The
Hustler" ('61), "Carrie" ('76) and
"Children of a Lesser God" ('86),
was Auntie Em. Nicol Williamson of
"Excalibur" ('81), "The Exorcist III"
('89) and "Spawn" ('97); and "Up-
stairs, Downstairs" star Jean Marsh
rounded out the cast. Parents felt it
was too dark and scary for tots and
didn't take their children to see it.
Maybe Disney will get it right
THIS time. No one is left from the
Disney of 1985. We won't know how
it turns out until March 8, 2013. Mi-
che!le Williams has already filmed
"Take This Waltz" with Seth Rogan
about a woman struggling to choose
between two different types of love.
Maybe they could use the song ',Torn
Between Two Lovers" or the theme
from "A Man and a Woman!
sweef but heart-wrenching story VISION: --.,- v t,|rl|'/|'],, !
Send letters to Tony Rizzo's Holly-
wood, 8306 Wilshire Blvd., No. 362,
Beverly Hills, CA 90211.
(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.
What was
the theme
song of
"The Mary
Tyler Moore Show"?
2. MUSIC: What rock group was fea-
tured in the documentary '¢Fhe Kids Are
Alright"?
3. MYTHOLOGY: In Norse mythology,
who were the Norns?
4. MOVIES: Actress Shirley MacLaine
played a nun in which movie?
5. CARTOONS: What were the names of
Daisy Duck's hieces?
6. MEDICINE: Who discovered that
yellow fever was transmitted by mosqui-
toes?
7. LITERATURE: What was the first novel
written by Raymond Chandler?
8.AD SLOGANS: What company advised
motorists to "trust your car to the star"?
9. ANATOMY: What is a human being's
normal body temperature in Celsius?
10. GEOGRAPHY: The tiny principality
of Andorra borders which two European
countries?
Michelle Williams
ANSWERS
1. "Love Is All Around"
2. The Who
3. Norse goddesses of fate
4. "Two Mules for Sister Sara"
5. April, May and June
6. Dr. Walter Reed
7. "The Big Sleep"
8. Texaco
9. 37
10. Spain and France
(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.
./
ARIES (March 21 to April 19) Your
ideas are finally reaching those who can
appreciate them. But don't expect any im -:
mediate reactions. That will come later.
ship seems to be winding down from pas-
sionate to passive. It's up to you to decide
what the next step will be. But don't wait
too long to take the initiative. Delay could
create more problems.
CANCER (June 21 to July 22)A decision
looms. But be very sure that this is what
you really want before you sign or say any-
thing. Once you act, there'll be little or no
wiggle room for any adjustments.
Meanwhile, a personal matter needs your - LEO (July 23 to August 22)Money matters
attention. - : imlrove, but you still need to be cautious
TAURUS (April 20 to May 20) Your en':' with your spending. Also, set aside that
ergy levels are rising, and you're feeling ne pride for a bit and apologize for
restless and eager to get into some activity, ' contributing to that misunderstanding.
whether it's for profit or just for fun. In, VIRCJO (August 23 to September 22) A
either case, the aspects are highly favor- :tempting financial situation could make
able, so go for it. the usually unflappable Virgo rush in
GEMINI (May 21 to June 20) A relation- before checking things out. Be alert to
possible hidden problems. Get the facts
before you act.
LIBRA (September 23 to October 22) It's
nice to know that you're finally getting
due credit for your efforts. You also should
know that new opportunities will follow. A
family member brings important news.
SCORPIO (October 23 to November 21)
Any uncertainty that begins to cloud an
impending decision could signal a need
to re-examine your reasons for wanting
to take on this commitment.
SAGITTARIUS (November 22 to De-
cember 21) You benefit from taking time
out of your currently hectic schedule to do
more contemplation or meditation. This
will help re-energize you, both in body
and soul.
CAPRICORN (December 22 to January
jJ
Nursing hurt feelings can ze ener-
1
9)
gies of even the usually self-confident Sea
Goat. Best advice: Move forward. Success
isthe best balm for a painful ego.
AQUARIUS (January 20 to February 18)
A display of temperament surprises you,
as well as those around you. It could be all
that pressure you're under. Consider let-
ring someone help you see it through.
PISCES (February 19 to March 20) Some
things don't seem to be working out as
you'd hoped. Don't fret. Instead, take
some time out to reassess your plans and
see where changes could be made.
BORN THIS WEEK: You enjoy travel-
ing and meeting people. You are especially
good with children and would make an
excellent teacher.
(c) 2012 King Features Synd., Inc.
