Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer
Starring: Judy Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan
Directed by: Victor Fleming
Synopsis: The classic adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s story about a young girl from Kansas, Dorothy Gale (Judy Garland), who is whisked away in her farmhouse by a tornado to the magical land of Oz where she must overcome adversity to find her way back home. In her travels she is accompanied by her dog Toto (Terry) and aided by her newfound friends The Scarecrow (Ray Bolger), The Tin Man (Jack Haley) and The Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr).
Kitty Cameo: Of course everyone remembers Toto the terrier in this classic film. But it’s the Siamese cat that’s being held by a female resident of the Emerald City which brings about one of the most dramatic moments. Toto spots the cat and breaks free of Dorothy’s grasp, leaping from the basket of the balloon which is going to take her and Professor Marvel home. Dorothy climbs out of the basket and the balloon takes off without her, leaving her seemingly stranded in Oz. Sadly until there is an adaptation of some of the other Oz stories including the character of The Glass Cat, this brief appearance will have to suffice for cat lovers who are also Oz fans.
Final Mewsings: If you miss your balloon, don’t blame the cat . . . blame the dog!
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