'The Wiz' revisited: Lena Horne's death makes Diana Ross...

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'The Wiz' revisited: Lena Horne's death makes Diana Ross the only living cast member - By Aaron Foley


Much has been made over the years about the last living cast members of legendary films. Now, it seems, a Motown film has finally joined those ranks.

The death of jazz singer and actress Lena Horne this weekend leaves Diana
Ross as the sole surviving principal cast member of "The Wiz," Motown's film version of the Broadway production -- itself a re-telling of the L. Frank Baum novel, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz." (Though not a main cast member, Stanley Greene, who played Uncle Henry, is still living.)

"The Wiz" -- almost like its 1939 counterpart, "The Wizard of Oz" -- grew to be a family favorite years after its 1978 release despite not being a box-office success. It was a flop for Motown Productions, which had seen earlier success with the Oscar-nominated Ross starring in the film house's first flick, "Lady Sings the Blues."

Casting for the film was notable in more ways than one. It was the first screen appearance for Michael Jackson, and the last for Horne. Raunchy comic Richard Pryor took a softer tone as the film's namesake Wiz. Ross' casting is still a sticking point for fans, as she was 33 years old playing the role of a much younger Dorothy.

[BrianB]

I still find myself hummming "Ease On Down The Road" when I'm out for a walk sometimes.