On Judy Garland’s Birthday, Lorna Luft Explains Why ‘The Wizard Of Oz’ Still Matters

The birthday of Judy Garland, which is June 10, is being remembered alongside the lasting magic of The Wizard of Oz. More than eight decades after the 1939 film first reached audiences, Garland’s performance as Dorothy Gale continues to speak to families, fans, and new generations discovering the story.

According to PEOPLE, Garland’s daughter Lorna Luft believes the film’s enduring appeal comes down to themes that never grow old. She said The Wizard of Oz is about home, heart, courage, and knowledge, emotions that almost everyone feels at some point in life.

In Honor Of Judy Garland On Her Birthday, Lorna Luft Says The Movie Endures Because Of Home

Garland was born on June 10, 1922, and died on June 22, 1969, at age 47. Though her life was short, her work left a deep mark on entertainment history. The Wizard of Oz remains one of the strongest examples of that legacy, with Dorothy’s journey still touching viewers nearly 87 years later.

Luft said the movie also works because it shows good against evil in a way people understand. She compared L. Frank Baum’s original book to the Harry Potter of its time, noting how large and beloved the story already was before the movie arrived. For her, the film still connects because it turns big ideas into something personal and emotional.

‘The Wizard Of Oz’ Still Reaches New Generations

The film was also groundbreaking for its time. Audiences watched Dorothy’s sepia-toned Kansas transform into the bright colors of Oz, creating a visual shift that felt unforgettable. Luft said that change was a huge moment for viewers, especially because they had never seen anything quite like it. Still, she believes the movie’s power comes from more than effects. She praised the performances of Garland, Ray Bolger, Jack Haley, Bert Lahr, Frank Morgan, Margaret Hamilton, and Billie Burke. Luft said viewers believed those characters, and that belief helped turn the movie into one of the most perfect films ever made.

Judy Garland’s birthday also comes as The Wizard of Oz finds new life through an immersive Sphere experience in Las Vegas. The production uses modern technology to place audiences inside the story, giving longtime fans and younger viewers a new way to experience Dorothy’s journey. For Luft, the film’s meaning has always reached beyond spectacle. She said people around the world still tell her what the movie meant to their families. Those memories now pass from one generation to another. That is why Judy Garland’s birthday feels like more than a tribute to a classic Hollywood star. It is also a reminder of a performance, a song, and a story that continue to lead audiences back home.