Last night, the Richmond Film Festival presented the first night of the fest with the Wizard of Oz. There was plenty to cheer about as families with and without children showed up for a night of fun.

The Wizard of Oz on the big screen must seem like a dream to every child and child at heart who has only seen it on a relatively small television in the family room. But last night, the Wicked Witch was so much more menacing as I remembered as she towered on a full sized theater screen in the green...and I delighted at every evil grimace that evil woman mustered to terrify poor Dorothy.

My niece and two nephews tagged along and enjoyed an evening of burying their eyes in the armpit of my brother. Like a child on a roller coaster, they enjoyed the terror and safety of the evening.

Thanks folks for putting this one on. This was an enjoyable evening for all ages and the opening credits were also fun as they must have been geared with a family audience in mind. I think the age appeal of this opening film spells success for the rest of the fest.

So bring the family where appropriate and kick back and enjoy.

-Walter