Imagining [The Wizard of Oz] without Judy Garland is a bit like dancing on wet cement: you can do it, but why would you want to?
Interpretation
The quote emphasizes the integral role Judy Garland played in 'The Wizard of Oz' and suggests that her absence diminishes the work's value.
Pauline Kael's quote reflects on the significance of Judy Garland's performance in 'The Wizard of Oz', highlighting how her talent and presence made the film iconic. The comparison to dancing on wet cement suggests that while it is technically possible to imagine the film without her, doing so detracts from its essence and impact, much like attempting to dance on a surface that hinders movement. This reinforces the idea that certain artists are essential to masterpieces, and removing them alters the entire experience.
In practice
During a film class discussion about classic cinema.
I see little of more importance to the future of our country and of civilization than full recognition of the place of the artist. If art is to nourish the roots of our culture, society must set the artist free to follow his vision wherever it takes him.
The romance of movies is not just in those stories and those people on the screen but in the adolescent dream of meeting others who feel as you do about what youβve seen.
We read critics for the perceptions, for what they tell us that we didn't fully grasp when we saw the work. The judgments we can usually make for ourselves.
The worst thing about movie-making is that it's like life: nobody can go back to correct the mistakes.
It seems likely that many of the young who don't wait for others to call them artists, but simply announce that they are, don't have the patience to make art.
What this generation was bred to at television's knees was not wisdom, but cynicism.
A superhuman will is needed in order to write, and I am only a man.
I want to make people feel things when they hear my music I want to give a song to someone who is going through a break up, I want to give a song to someone who loves someone and can't tell them. A song for someone who has just fallen in love and a song for just people who are living their lives.
The poet complains or points out the discontent that lies at the heart of man, the individual man, and how can that be redeemed?
I'll keep on acting 'til they wipe the drool. I like the business. I like to do different parts and diverse characters. I haven't lost my enthusiasm yet!
I would hate to think I am not an amature. An amateur is one who loves what he is doing. Very often, I'm afraid, the professional hates what he is doing. So, I'd rather be an amateur.
Jazz stands for freedom. It's supposed to be the voice of freedom: Get out there and improvise, and take chances, and don't be a perfectionist - leave that to the classical musicians.
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