`OZ' NOW LOOKS BETTER THAN EVER.

Byline: Rob Lowman Entertainment Editor

You say you've seen ``The Wizard of Oz''? No you haven't, unless you've caught the digitally remastered version of the classic 1939 film during its limited theatrical release last November.

The colors in this new version, which is being released on VHS and DVD today, are so bright and vivid, it's almost like seeing a different film.

Gone are the indistinct splotches, replaced by clarity that allows you to see the fur of the Cowardly Lion (Bert Lahr). Munchkinland and the Emerald City look absolutely spectacular and the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton) never so scary.

The VHS and DVD versions both contain plenty of extras, including a behind-the-scenes documentary hosted by Angela Lansbury that yields plenty of fascinating material about the making of one of the most beloved films of all time.

Did you know that the signature song of Judy Garland (Dorothy), ``Over the Rainbow,'' was cut after the second preview because studio executives felt it slowed down the movie, and filmmakers had to fight to have it put back? But it wasn't the only thing cut. In an effort to trim the film from a bit more than two hours to its current 101 minutes, a longer version of the Scarecrow's dance sequence during ``If I Only Had a Brain'' was also jettisoned. The sequence was choreographed by none other than Busby Berkeley himself and utilizes the terrific flexibility and dance talents of Ray Bolger. Fortunately, the scene was saved, and you can see it on both VHS and DVD. (The VHS version goes for $16.95, the DVD for $24.98, but both can probably be found cheaper.)

Unfortunately, another scene, ``Jitterbug Dance,'' is lost on film except for home movies of Harold Arlen (who wrote the music; E.Y. ``Yip'' Harburg penned the lyrics). The soundtrack remains, however, and is paired with the home movie to give you an idea how the scene might have looked.

There are also plenty of interesting tidbits, including contributions by famed directors George Cukor and King Vidor. Cukor, who spent some time around the set early on, helped change Dorothy's image from glitzy (Garland wore a blond wig) to a more wholesome farm-girl look. Ironically, ``Oz'' director Victor Fleming was brought in to replace Cukor on ``Gone With the Wind'' and Vidor, who shot the ``Over the Rainbow'' scene, was brought in to finish up for Fleming.

There are a number of other extras on the DVD, including interviews with Hamilton, Bolger and Jack Haley (the Tinman). But whether you get the VHS or DVD version, the main attraction is the film, which never looked or sounded better.

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PHOTO Improved color and added sequences are on both the new VHS and DVD versions of ``The Wizard of Oz.''