Why did the Wizard of Oz premier in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin of all places?

[SarcasticDwarf]

Anyone?

 

[IronWing]

Because it is Cowomonoco spelled backwards.

 

[Linflas]

Reason unknown according to this site: Text

The Movie was first seen outside of the MGM studios in mid-June, 1939, where it was sneaked into theaters in southern California to gauge audience reaction. This version was not completely edited, however. It was after a sneak preview in either Santa Barbara or San Bernardino that "The Jitterbug" was cut, for instance (see question 12.20 for more about that number), and one sneak preview may not have had "Over the Rainbow" in it. The first publicized showing of the final, edited film was at the Strand Theatre in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin on August 12, 1939. No one is sure exactly why a small town in the Midwest received that honor. The official premiere was at Grauman's Chinese Theatre in Hollywood on August 15, attended by most of the cast and crew and a number of Hollywood celebrities. Notably absent, however, was Judy Garland ? she was on the East Coast with Mickey Rooney, rehearsing a vaudeville act. They were preparing for the New York City premiere of The Movie at the Capitol Theatre, where they would perform after each showing, and publicize their forthcoming movie, Babes in Arms, beginning August 17. After those openings, it continued to open throughout the United States. The Movie was first shown in Canada on September 14, 1939, and Spanish- and Portuguese-language versions opened in Latin America on November 19. The first European release was in December of 1939 in Great Britain.

 

[Kanalua]

I don't know why, but it is one of my all-time favorite movies...

Takes me back to the carefree days of my youth, every time.

 

[Zolty]

Because wisconsin rocks!!!

 

[archiloco]

prolly a producer was from that town?

 

[Kelemvor]

Originally posted by: Zolty
Because wisconsin rocks!!!

THat's what i was going to say. heh heh.

But not sure why they'd pick Oconomowoc of all places.

 

[Amused]

Doesn't much matter. It was a flop in it's time.

 

[Kelemvor]

Occasionally during the 20th century, southeast Wisconsin has been, however briefly, the center of the entertainment universe. And so it was in the summer of 1939, when Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer, in an apparent attempt to drum up grass-roots interest in its latest glossy spectacle, staged the premiere showing of "The Wizard of Oz" in Oconomowoc's own Strand Theatre.

"World Premier Showing!

"It's Everything You've Heard

"M-G-M's 'The Wizard of Oz' - in gorgeous Technicolor.

"The promise is fulfilled! For months America has read about the wonders of M-G-M's great motion picture 'The Wizard of Oz.' Now you will see it on the screen - and everything you have heard is true."

- advertisement in the - OconomowocEnterprise,Aug. 11, 1939
http://www2.jsonline.com/enter/gen/dec99/excerpt311230-1.asp

 

[Mucho]

I dont know but its the only movie I never get tired watching.

 

[rollyn]

MGM had spent 3 million dollars to make the film - much money in 1939
and wanted a smaller - one day at a time opening versus a big splash and possible failure - Meinhardt Raabe, who played the coroner in the film. was from Watertown, Wisconsin - certainly closer to Oconomowoc than Hollywood - maybe it was something that simple or quirky that led MGM to do a small town open...

 

[deadlyapp]

interesting necro.