To the Editor:

Kudos to Newtown’s Cultural Arts Commission for the launch of its “Greatest Year of Film” celebration of movies made in 1939. Although I had seen The Wizard of Oz many times on television as a child, and many more times on video when my own now 23-year-old went through her “Dorothy” stage, I had never before experienced it on a movie screen. What a joy it was to sit in the refurbished Edmond Town Hall Theatre on Sunday and share what many experienced when the movie debuted 75 years ago. When Dorothy stepped out of her black and white world into the Technicolor world of Oz, I got chills.

Before the advent of videos, DVDs and Internet streaming, I had been introduced to “old movies” through revival houses in New York City, and missed them when they disappeared. I welcome this opportunity to view old favorites and see movies I know only name and reputation on the big screen in the months ahead, and encourage others to come out for the experience. Yes, some of the special effects seem pretty lame by today’s CGI standards, but seeing “how they used to do it” is part of the pleasure.

I hope this year’s program is a big success and will become a part of regular offerings at Edmond Town Hall. Personally, I’d love to see some of those 1940s and 50s film noir classics and MGM musicals there in the future.

Janis Gibson

33 Old Lantern Road, Danbury                    May 28, 2014