The Wiz (1978)
| Release Date | 24 October 1978 |
| Budget | $24,000,000 |
| US Box Office | $13,000,000 |
| Tagline | From the book that's an American tradition...from the smash-hit Broadway show...the entertainment of the year! |
| Genre | Adventure, Fantasy, Musical, Family |
| Country | USA |
| Filming Locations | Astoria Studios, Astoria, Queens, New York City, New York, USA |
| Language | English |
| Sound Mix | Dolby, 70 mm 6-Track |
| Color | Color |
| Film Type | Feature |
| Film Class | Fantasy Adventure, Musical Fantasy |
| Mood | Other Dimensions |
| Themes | Fantasy Lands, Finding a Way Back Home, Fish Out of Water, Wizards and Magicians |
| Tones | Stylized, Whimsical, Fanciful, Humorous, Earnest, Atmospheric |
| Tags | Black [race], Fantasy, Fantasy World, Reality, Schoolteacher, Transformation |
The Wiz is a 1978 musical film produced by Motown Productions and Universal Pictures, and released by Universal on October 24, 1978. An urbanized retelling of L. Frank Baum's The Wonderful Wizard of Oz featuring an entirely African-American cast, The Wiz was adapted from the 1975 Broadway musical of the same name. The film follows the adventures of Dorothy, a shy Harlem, New York schoolteacher who finds herself magically transported to the Land of Oz, which resembles a fantasy version of New York City. Befriended by a Scarecrow, a Tin Man, and a Cowardly Lion, she travels through the land to seek an audience with the mysterious "Wiz", who they say has the power to take her home.
Cast and Crew
Cast
Theresa Merritt
Aunt Emma
Stanley Greene
Uncle Henry
Clyde J. Barrett
Subway Peddler
Derrick Bell
The Four Crows
Roderick-Spencer Sibert
The Four Crows
Kashka Banjoko
The Four Crows
Ronald 'Smokey' Stevens
The Four Crows
Tony Brealord
Gold Footman
Joe Lynn
Gold Footman
Clinton Jackson
Green Footman
Charles Rodriguez
Green Footman
Carlton Johnson
Head Winkie
Ted Williams
Munchkin #1
Mabel Robinson
Munchkin #2, The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Damon Pearce
Munchkin #3
Donna Patrice Ingram
Munchkin #4
Harry Madsen
Cheetah, Head of the Flying Monkeys
Glory Van Scott
Rolls Royce Lady
Vicki Baltimore
Green Lady
Carlos Cleveland
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Aaron Boddie
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Gay Faulkner
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Ted Butler
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
T.B. Skinner
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Jamie Perry
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Daphne McWilliams
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
H. Douglas Berring
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
James Shaw
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Dorothi Fox
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Frances Salisbury
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Beatrice Dunmore
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Traci Core
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Donald King
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Claude Brooks
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Billie Allen
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Denice Dejon
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Kevin Stockton
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Alvin Alexis
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Willie C. Carpenter
Guest at Aunt Emma's Party
Tom Bähler
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Adrienne Albert
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Alfa K. Anderson
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Joshie Armstead
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Clare Janice Bathe
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Claude Brooke
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Eric Butler
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Vivian Cherry
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir , The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Kacey Cisyk
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Steve Clayton
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Kay Coleman
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Charles Collins
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Jenny Cooke
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
T.J. Cooke
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Ron Dante
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Billy Davis
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Craig Davis
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Jules S. Davis
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Sharon Davis
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Christopher Dean
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
William Eaton
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Melvin W. Edmondson
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Camille Farrell
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Mike Farrell
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Steve Feldman
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Bobby Floyd
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir, The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Frank Floyd
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir , The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Antonia French
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Arthur French
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Bryon Gray
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Diva Gray
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Mike Gray
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Milt Grayson
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Gordon Grody
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Lani Groves
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Susan Hamilton
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Julio Herrara
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Jake Holmes
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Petra Johnson
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Martina Jones
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Kenny Karen
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Jerry Keller
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Christine Langner
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir , The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Yvonne Lewis
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Mary Lombardi
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir, The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Kim Magloire
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir , The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Tommy Malcolm
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Bill Marine
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Barbara Massey
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Ullanda McCullough
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir, The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Debbie McDuffie
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Chuck McGruder
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
June McGruder
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Helen Miles
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Leslie Miller
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Melanie Moore
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Janice Papalos
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Janice Pendarvis
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Leon Pendarvis
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Dennis Perren
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Randy Peyton
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Neil Raber
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Gerrard Randall
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
David Reed
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Claudia Ricks
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Ermundo Russell
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Annette Sanders
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Zachary Sanders
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Ray Simpson
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Raymond Simpson
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Tamy Smith
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Renel Stafford
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Fred Stark
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Susan Stephenson
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Maeretha Stewart
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Grady Tate
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Jean Thomas
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Mariama Thomas
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Mia Thomas
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Duke Thorbs
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Alfonzo Thornton
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Bill Walker
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Dawn Walker
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Joey Ward
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Brenda White
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Beurice Whitehead
The Wiz Singers Adult Choir
Mollena Williams
The Wiz Singers Children's Choir
Director
Writer
William F. Brown
Producer
Kenneth Harper
executive producer
Burtt Harris
associate producer
Original Music
Charlie Smalls
-
Cinematographer
Oswald Morris
Editor
Dede Allen
-
Production Designer
Art Director
Philip Rosenberg
-
Set Decorator
Robert Drumheller
-
Edward Stewart
-
Costume Designer
Miles White
-
Makeup Department
Scott Cunningham
makeup artist
William A. Farley
hair stylist
Carl Fullerton
makeup artist
Robert Laden
makeup supervisor
Ted Long
hair stylist
Michael R. Thomas
makeup artist
Allen Weisinger
makeup artist
Production Manager
Kenneth Utt
production manager
Second Unit Director or Assistant Director
Burtt Harris
first assistant director
Alan Hopkins
second assistant director
Art Department
Connie Brink
property master
Glen Engels
construction grip
Edward Garzero
chief scenic artist
John Jay Moore
assistant art director
Eugene Powell
chief scenic artist
Carlos Quiles
carpenter
Robert Shepherd
sets and props
Eoin Sprott
fantasy props
Richard Tautkus
fantasy props
Walter Way
construction chief
Jacques Godbout
carpenter
John Kasarda
assistant art director
Lawrence Miller
assistant art director
Dave Weinman
lead man
Sound Department
Stan Bochner
sound editor
Guy Costa
special sound consultant
Jack Fitzstephens
supervising sound editor
Marc Laub
sound editor
Hal Levinsohn
sound editor
Al Nahmias
sound editor
Ronald Roose
sound editor
James Sabat
sound mixer
Dick Vorisek
sound re-recording supervisor
Louis Cerborino
sound editor
Ollie Cotton
assistant sound engineer
Kevin Lee
assistant sound editor
Skip Saylor
recording engineer: horns on "Ease on Down the Road" #1
William S. Scharf
assistant sound editor
Special Effects
Al Griswold
special effects
Visual Effects
Dennis Glouner
matte photographer
Bill Taylor
matte photographer
Syd Dutton
assistant matte painter
Henry Schoessler
visual effects
Mark Whitlock
matte camera loader
Stunts
Everett Creach
stunt coordinator
Camera and Electrical Department
James A. Contner
camera operator
Norman Leigh
gaffer
Hank Muller
first assistant camera
Jack Priestley
photographer: second unit
Gary Muller
co-first assistant camera
Costume and Wardrobe Department
Dona Granata
assistant costume designer
Gloria Gresham
costume coordinator
Anna Hill Johnstone
costume coordinator
Barbara Matera
principal costume execution
George Newman
wardrober
Marilyn Putnam
wardrober
Editorial Department
Angelo Corrao
assistant film editor
Marlayna Franklin
assistant film editor
Hal Levinsohn
assistant editor
Music Department
Tom Bähler
choir arranger
Mendel Balitz
orchestrator
Chris Boardman
orchestrator
Ralph Ferraro
orchestrator
Jack Fitzstephens
supervising music editor
Bob Florence
orchestrator
Bob Freedman
orchestrator
Richard Hazard
orchestrator
Greig McRitchie
orchestrator
Pete Meyers
orchestrator
Frank Owens
music arranger: dance arrangements, associate conductor
Wayne Robinson
orchestrator
Bruce Swedien
music recording engineer
Robert N. Tucker Jr.
conductor
John Beal
musician: bass
Jerry Hey
orchestrator
Dick Hyman
musician: keyboards
Anthony Jackson
musician: bass
Grady Tate
musician: drums
Jeffrey Wolf
assistant music editor
Transportation Department
Raymond Hartwick
transportation chief
Other Crew
Grace Blake
production office coordinator
Robert F. Colesberry
assistant production coordinator
Peter Foy
flying rigs
Sam Goldrich
auditor
Kenneth Harper
stage producer: New York
Carlton Johnson
assistant choreographer
Louis Johnson
choreographer
Mabel Robinson
assistant choreographer
Lynn Twentyman
script supervisor
Aaron J. Baron
technical coordinator
P. Larry Dahlstrom
technical engineer
Bernie Grundman
original mastering
Peter Maiorino
technician
Mitchell Plotkin
technician
Tom Razzano
location manager
Lynda Van Damm
assistant production accountant
George Walker
technician
Production Company
Universal Pictures
Motown Productions
-
Distributor
Universal Pictures
Universal Home Entertainment
Argentina Video Home
CIC Vídeo
CBS Television
DiscoVision
MCA/Universal Home Video
Special Effects
Stan Winston Studio
-
Miscellaneous
Scott Barrie
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Bill Blass
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Stephen Burrows' World
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Oscar de la Renta
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Halston
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Kamali
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Zoran
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Kolodzie
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Ralph Lauren
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Mary McFadden
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Alixandre Furs
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
Renaldo Sanchez Furs
thanks: Emerald City Fashions
The Louis Johnson Dance Theatre
dancers
Dawn Animal Agency
Toto owned and trained by
Suzuki
motorcycle furnished by
Vajra Incorporated
Lightflex equipment
Congoleum
The Yellow Brick Road created by
Kaufman Astoria Studios
filmed at
Astroland Park, Coney Island
filmed at: Amusement park sequence
Cherokee Studios
music recorded at
MCA Records
soundtrack
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The Wiz
