Tulsa World: Somewhere over the moon

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Somewhere over the moon

Photo illustration byDave Carmanfrom AP file photo

By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer
Published: 9/2/2008 2:06 AM
Last Modified: 9/2/2008 2:20 AM

Planetarium show to mix Oz, Pink Floyd

If you are thinking of heading to the Bertelsmeyer Planetarium in Tulsa for the "Dark Side of Oz" presentation this week, rest assured of one thing.

It will be worth the trip.

"It's really spectacular," Lee Hubby, a member of the board of directors of the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium said of the effect from combining the visuals from the 1939 film classic "The Wizard of Oz" with the audio from the 1973 Pink Floyd album "The Dark Side of the Moon."

At first glance, the movie — a box office disappointment that became beloved in the decades after its initial theatrical release — and the album, which stayed on the Billboard charts for almost 29 years, would appear to have nothing in common except for rainbows.

Judy Garland as Dorothy sang "Somewhere Over the Rainbow" in the movie. The Pink Floyd album features a prism breaking a ray of light into the colors of the spectrum.

However, somewhere along the line, someone decided that watching the movie at the same time as listening to the album creates an effect that Hubby calls "mind- blowing."

Wikipedia reports that while the "Dark Side of the Rainbow" effect (or "Wizard of Floyd" if you prefer) has become famous, its origin is unclear.

It goes on to say that Pink Floyd band members have repeatedly insisted that the reputed phenomenon is coincidence. In an interview for the 25th anniversary of the album, guitarist/vocalist David Gilmour denied that the album was intentionally written to be synchronized with the movie, saying "some guy with too much time on his hands" came up with the concept.

On an MTV special about Pink Floyd in 2002, the band dismissed any relationship between the album and the movie, saying there were no means of reproducing the film in the studio at the time they recorded the album.

In a 2003 interview with Rolling Stone, "Dark Side of the Moon" engineer Alan Parsons said of the supposed effect: "It was an American radio guy who pointed it out to me. It's such a nonstarter, a complete load of eyewash."

That isn't an expression we hear in Oklahoma very often, but it doesn't sound like a compliment.

It's still pretty cool, whether it's "eyewash" or not. Some say there are more than 100 moments of "synchronicity" between the film and the album. Rolling Stone's Web site reports that among them are Dorothy following Gilmour's musical cues as she "traipses around her farm," the cash register effects in the song "Money" lining up with the colors of Oz, and the Tin Man having his wish granted as the music fades out.

Planetarium Director Chris Pagan said that someone at KMOD 97.5 FM — which is promoting this week's event — came up with the idea to display "The Dark Side of Oz" at the planetarium, 3624 N. 74th East Ave.

Roxanne Cook, marketing and public relations coordinator for the Tulsa Air and Space Museum and Planetarium, said the concept behind the Wednesday through Saturday showings is to appeal to a different sort of audience than might normally go to the planetarium.

Hubby said that attendees should be advised that because of technical issues the movie will not be projected as a "full dome presentation." Still, he said it will be similar to an IMAX film in its scope.

David Harper 581-8359
david.harper@tulsaworld.com

Dark Side of Oz

Dates: Wednesday through Saturday (one show per night)

Time: Doors open at 6:30 p.m., show starts at 7:30

Where: Bertelsmeyer Planetarium , 3624 N. 74th East Ave.

Cost: Tickets are $12 They are not for sale at the museum. They can be purchased at The Land of Oz, 2629 E. 15th St.

Note: Organizers say sound levels in this show are very loud. Also, some content may not be suitable for young children. Parental discretion is advised. By DAVID HARPER World Staff Writer

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Eric, Tulsa (9/2/2008 10:29:26 AM)

Well...spend your money if you want to, but I seem to recall a VH1 interview with either Dave Gilmore or Roger Waters dismissed this connection.

However, the official Pink Floyd website for "Dark Side" mentions this:
"The band have denied that the classic film made an impression on them while recording the album, but if you want to judge for yourself be sure to start the CD at the third roar of the MGM lion at the start of the film!"

This is about as silly as the rumors that Paul was dead, or that Elvis is still alive.

As for me - the BEST quasi-stoned film is still Disneys' "Fantasia".
What a aural/visual trip!

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