I saw something new in the Wizard of Oz.

The Tin Man releases the Wizard's balloon in The Wizard of Oz.

I noticed something peculiar while watching The Wizard of Oz for the umteenth time with Dee Dee and Mimi: near the end, when Toto jumps out of the Wizard's Omaha State Fair balloon, the Tin Man says "Get the dog," then loosens the final tie that secures the balloon, after which the Wizard ascends and leaves Dorothy in Oz with no way home.

Of course, Glinda shows up and Dorothy taps her heals and we are soon back in our sepia world (the one I like best).

I always assumed that Dorothy jumping out of the balloon simply jostled things loose, but it wasn't that at all, the Tin Man didn't want her to leave. I at first thought this odd, because Dorothy was closest to the Scarecrow, and it may have made more sense to have him in that role. But upon some more reflection, I think the Tin Man was motivated by his new heart.

Here is a <1min clip near the end of Dorothy's trip to Oz when we see the Tin Man loosen the Wizard's balloon:

[2014-08-17]

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