FILM

Every Friday and Saturday night at 11:55pm, it's another Midnight Movie Classic at the Landmark River Oaks Theatre.

Friday-Saturday, September 4-5:  Return to Oz

The second thrilling live-action adventure based on L. Frank Baum's Oz books finds Dorothy (Fairuza Balk) back in the land of her dreams, where she makes new friends (like Tik Tok, Jack Pumpkinhead and the Gump) and dangerous new enemies (like the ultra-creepy Wheelers, the head-hunting Princess Mombi and the evil Nome King). The yellow brick road isn't the only thing that's twisted in this seldom-shown, under-appreciated gem. Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh and Piper Laurie co-star.

Return to Oz is a 1985 film which is the semi-sequel to The Wizard of Oz. It was made by Walt Disney Pictures without the involvement of MGM, the studio that made the 1939 film. However, no approval was necessary, because by 1985, all of the Oz books on which the film was based were in the public domain. A large fee was paid, however, to use the ruby slippers, which were still the intellectual property of MGM at the time (the rights to the 1939 film and all elements now rest with Time Warner). The film was directed by Walter Murch, and although it did not fare well at the box office and received mixed reviews from critics, it has attracted a cult following.

Director: Walter Murch

Cast: Fairuza Balk, Nicol Williamson, Jean Marsh, Piper Laurie, Matt Clark, Michael Sundin, Tim Rose, Sean Barrett (voice), Mak Wilson, Denise Bryer (voice), Brian Henson (voice), Stewart Larange, Lyle Conway (voice), Steve Norrington, Justin Case

MPAA Rating: PG

Run Time: 1hr 53mins

Release Year: 1985

Country Of Origin: USA