Frequently Asked Questions
Oz Videos on VHS...
Q) HOW MANY OZ VIDEO RELEASES HAVE THEIR BEEN?
A) Regarding releases of MGM's "The Wizard of Oz" on video, the various packaging and release dates are as follows: Laser discs and DVD releases are not included.
1). 1980 Released by MGM/CBS in October, this is the first incarnation of the film on video. The earliest copies contained poor, poor quality color video (not from an IB Technicolor print source). Retailers sold the video at prices varying from $79.99 to $59.99.
2). 1983 CBS/MGM was now MGM/UA Home Video. The print was taken from a different color source, thus much improved over 1980's release. There was no packaging change except in the MGM/UA logo change on the front cover. Still priced at $59.99
3). 1985. This is the MGM "Vide-Oh! For Kids label. Complete outside packaging change, to the white clamshell version. No color/print change. Beautiful artwork. Price reduction to $29.95
4). 1988. MGM/UA re-issued "Oz" in 1988 in a new sleeve along with a new marketing campaign that included a new packaging design that highlighted the Wicked Witch.
5). The 1989 50th Anniversary edition. Price reduced to $24.95. This version is restored (somewhat) and repackaged in a nice sleeve with booklet, but the sepia tones are restored to the film for the first time in years. Rebate offered, lowering the price to $19.95
: 6). 1991 MGM/UA re-release the film yet again in new packaging. Press releases for this version included an ad slick for consumers who could send for the collectible "Oz" poster that was to be issued later with the "Ultimate Oz" video box set. Earliest copies still had the 50th extras at the end of the film. This was remedied in 1992. Priced at $19.95
7). 1993 "The Ultimate OZ". At $100.00, this was the most elaborate OZ release on video to date. With a beautiful restored print (THE BEST print source used, finally), lots of extras, stills, the continuity script and the 1990 'Making Of" video that had never been released on video (but TV saw it a few times ), this box set quickly became a bestseller. Priced at $100.00.
8). 1996 "For the last time this century!" was the herald for this release, the last one fron MGM/UA. With a new packaging design and the restored version from "Ultimate Oz". The campaign was huge, spawing a tour-bus with costumes and props, appearances by the Munchkins, huge billboards advertising the video, and, in the earliest copies, a cassette tape of "If I Only Had A Brain" shrink-wrapped onto the cassette itself. Shortly after, MGM transferred it's video rights to Warner Brothers.
9). 1999 Warner Brothers. Still available in their restored version.
(Not all versions listed are pictured here.)
Wicked Witch Related Questions
Q) I am familiar with the movie but not the books. Perhaps someone out there can tell me when the concept of the wicked witch melting was introduced - in the movie or prior to that in a book? In other words, was the melting of the witch invented for the movie?
A) Although the events leading up to the Wicked Witch's melting scene were different, the original 1900 book still had Dorothy throwing a bucket of water on the witch, melting her into a puddle on the floor.
It's interesting to note that the character of the Wicked Witch of the West in the book is so minor that
she was entirely left out of the original 1903 Broadway production of the Wizard of Oz! One element
from the original stage show that does resurface in the MGM film is the snowfall reversing the effects of
the poppies. In the book, the Tin Man and Scarecrow simply carry out Dorothy and Toto. Then the Tin
Man builds a wooden cart on which to tow out the Lion. All the field mice (whose queen is indebted to
the Tin Man) tie lengths of string to the cart and pull it out. Talk about hard to produce for the stage! No
wonder they dreamed up the snowfall.
Kurt Steinruck
Q) Why does the Wicked Witch Melt?
A) There was never a full explanation of what the Witch was made of or why the water itself caused her to be melted away. In the original book "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, the author simply stated that the Wicked Witch (who always carried an umbrella instead of a broomstick) melted away like brown sugar, which Dorothy promptly swept out the door.
The Baum book's illustrator, W.W. Denslow, portrays the Wicked Witch melting, clothes and all, onto the floor.
The following films of "The Wizard of Oz", however, each show the Witch's death differently, here are some examples:
The 1910 Selig "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" (not available on video, but the scene was included in a recent BBC documentary about Baum and the Oz phenomenon.) short film shows the Wicked Witch (looking exactly like the W.W. Denslow incarnation) evaporating (by double exposure), after being hit full in the face with a whole bucketful of water, leaving her hat, which Dorothy puts on her head.
The 1939 MGM film "The Wizard of Oz" on (Warner Home Video, 1999) shows the Wicked Witch (Margaret Hamilton), not necessarily "melting away", but evaporating into steam, leaving no greenish physical remains, only her clothing on the floor (I assume the Witch bought her clothes from a human tailor, and weren't "meltable").
The 1978 musical "The Wiz" (Fox) film showed Evillene, the equivalent of the WWW, "flushed" violently down her toilet bowl shaped throne, a result of a sprinkler system triggered by Dorothy, played by Diana Ross. You might say that Evilene was so horrible she was "waste matter", and deserved to be flushed down the toilet. Ahhhh, variations.
The 1982 Japanese animated version of "The Wizard of Oz" (Paramount Home Video, 1982), shows a fairly violent death of the Wicked Witch after a large jug of water is pushed (by Dorothy) down a narrow flight of stairs at her, this act causes her to tumble down the steps to her death. As the water runs over her body, she shrinks into nothingness.
The 1987 "Wonderful Wizard of Oz" animated series narrated by Margo Kidder (RCA/Columbia Home Video, not available on video now, check eBAY), shows the Witch dissolving after a huge jug of water (this "jug" idea is prevalent in most japanese book and animated "Oz" adaptations)is pushed towards her.
The Russian "Volshebnik Izumrudnovo Goroda" (The recent live-action version of "Wizard of Oz" (various foreign distributors)shows the Witch also dissolving into steam,(but not before it shows her facial skin melt disgustingly of her face) leaving her crown, umbrella and mink coat (it's cold in the West?) on the floor. The castle itself then explodes and crumbles to the ground.
The beautifully animated 1999 Russian "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" animated cartoon movie series(Pyramid Home Video Russia, HTB-1999) released in that country last year portrays the Baumian version of the meltdown very similar to the book. The Witch, clothes and all, melt into a chocolate-like puddle on the ground, leaving only the silver shoe.
However, even with these varied visuals, many Oz historians, authors and Oz scholars have come up with their own theories to explain this death.
You may want to check out author Phillip Jose Farmers "A Barnstormer in Oz", (Used bookstores and or eBAY) it gives quite an interesting if non-Baum way of how the Wicked Witches were made to keep themselves alive by artificial means called "firefoxes", and gives an explanation of why the water does what it does to the Witches.
Many "Wizard of Oz" books over the years simply state the Wicked Witch WAS made of brown sugar, and that's why she melted. including the 1963 Wonderland/Golden Record and Book set of "Wizard of Oz" read by Art Carney.
But, on page 226 of the newly re-released "The Annotated Wizard of Oz", (Norton, 2000), Michael Patrick Hearn includes this anecdote in his annotation of the subject of melting the Wicked Witch.
Many students of Oz believe that the magic in Baum's books may be rationally explained, that it is based on certain scientific principles and is no more than an extension of natural laws. Dr. Douglas A. Rossman argued on the "Liquidation of Witches" (Baum Bugle, Spring 1969), that the melting of the Witch was due to hydrolysis.
Adhesion, the sticking together of molecules in contact with each other, may be broken down either by water or by some other powerful force, like that of a house falling from the sky.
Like the Wicked Witch of the East, The Wicked Witch of the West is so old and dried up that she cannot bleed, she has no bodily liquids to combat strong outside influences. Little is keeping the molecules together. Only her black arts have kept her from literally falling apart.
Water breaks down the weak adhesion of her body, and she melts into a brown, melted, shapeless mass".
You can buy "The Annotated Wizard of Oz" at your local bookstore. The book gives tons of annotation and anecdotes like these about all the major and minor characters of "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz".
Kurt Steinruck
Q) When the Witch's guards chase Dorothy and her friends around the castle, they trap them in a corner tower with two entrances. However, it appears that the guards come from three directions. Am I looking at this right?
A) After examining this capture scene many times over the years with existing stills and a very light video print, it is safe to say that there are THREE open entrances to the witch's tower, and another one that leads nowhere. MANY angles of these doorways were shown during the "cornering" scenes to give the effect there were many more entrance/doorways than really existed.
ENTRANCE ONE:
The entrance that the Winkies use to corner the friends from the left (just as the four are cornered and being backed into the "bucket" shelf and before the Witch's entrance) is also the same entrance that the famous four used to ENTER the tower (shot from an opposite angle) moments earlier when the Lion says, "Where do we go now", and the Scarecrow says, "This way, come on." The same entrance is shown (from a nearly direct front view, showing the torches burning from across the way) during the scene when Dorothy receives the broomstick from the Winkie General at the end of the entire scene.
ENTRANCE TWO:
This entrance is the one that the famous four EXIT through directly after the Scarecrow says This way, come on thus on their way to the other tower across the bridge. The Winkies are then seen cornering the four from the far right as the scene moves back indoors, entering through this doorway while the four are being backed up against the shelf containing the bucket.
ENTRANCE THREE:
This is the BLOCKED doorway that doesn't lead anywhere. Located directly behind the Wicked Witch as she is melting, this "doorway" features a thin, vertical window highlighted by several large, black metal ring designs. Looking through this "window", one can see the bluish night sky and clouds. There is only a large shelf with a dish setting on top it directly below the window, and to the
Scarecrows right on the floor is a busted chair peeking out of the corner of the doorway seemingly leading to a hallway that doesn't exist.
ENTRANCE FOUR:
The Wicked Witch uses this entrance as she cackles "Well, ring around the Rosy, a pocket full of spears." It's interesting to note that in the brief few seconds preceding this scene, this doorway is shown in full view while the famous four are being backed into the bucket shelf, and the Witch is nowhere to be found. The next instant, THERE she is, already in the doorway sliding down the stairs, through the magic of bad editing.
There is some clever editing during the scene where Dorothy screams with her hand to her face, and the four turn and run back inside the tower, because immediately before that, the Winkies have already followed them back into the room, which should have FOLLOWED Dorothy screaming. This is seemingly to confuse the viewer into thinking that Winkies are coming from every possible
hidden entrance, when in reality, they're not.
Kurt Steinruck
Q) Has anyone heard or read a detailed description of how the Witches trap door in Munchkinland worked? When I saw the movie on the big screen in 1998 I noticed something: sweep across the floor in a circular motion to the right of where Margaret Hamilton went down. I've always hoped that behind-the-scenes photos taken of this contraption underneath Munchkinland would turn up someday. I do remember Margaret Hamilton discussing it: briefly in an interview with David Hartman on "Good Morning America" in 1979.
A) Having been involved in many 'Wizard of Oz stage productions, and NONE of them have featured a trap device like the one used in the MGM film. The 1939 'Oz' elevator/trap version was VERY primitive for it's time.
There is a large piece of square flooring that moves around in a circular motion over the elevator trap (and a bit over the 'red brick road') just AFTER Miss Hamilton goes down the trap. It can be seen 'circulating' to the right just as Miss Hamilton's black cape disappears down the trap and is obvious to the eye if you are LOOKING for it.
For Oz stage shows nowadays it's a simple hand-cranked or hydraulic lifting device with ONE hole (and little holes drilled around it for smoke effects, those who have been involved with Oz productions, know what I am talking about) and in this day and age, you never see an Oz stage Wicked Witch in the middle of fire (sparks maybe, but not true fire. The Theatre company could be sued if anything went wrong, though you occasionally do see Oz stage Witches go down a trap with true smoke (in addition to stage fog for the meltdown), if the theatre is large enough and has the technical capability to rig a trap effect for the Munchkinland scene. I've played the Wicked Witch many times, and I ALWAYS ask if there is a trap and what the director plans to do for this scene BEFORE I sign the contract, just in case. In reality, the 1939 trapdoor/elevator was two pits.
One hole was for the red smoke bombs to open a bit to let the smoke out. This smoke hole is located directly in FRONT of the Witchivator, as we call it for the stage (if you are looking at it from the angle we all see in the film), to hide Miss Hamilton as she goes down.
The second, larger hole (behind the smoke release hole) is the Witchivator, for Miss Hamilton to descend from. Directly off to the left side (and directly in front of the cowering Munchkins) is a square piece of light and dark gray square flooring (mentioned but not in great detail in Hamilton's recollection of the effect in Harmetz' 'Making of the Wizard of Oz' book).
This one piece, square gray flooring is 'raised' a bit off the rest of the floor (yes folks, it's there), and does not match the paint scheme of the flooring beneath it after Hamilton disappears. Look at the floor after Hamilton has gone, and compare it to when she begins to back away from Judy. It is noticeable on video.
As Miss Hamilton backs away, the smoke comes up (from the first hole), she descends, and the gray painted, square shaped flooring is triggered (by unseen wires) to circulate over the Witchivator (and across the red brick road a bit, partially hidden by smoke) and covers not only the elevator trap, but the hole that the smoke/fire came from.
Miss Hamilton was still on the elevator trap when her accident occurred. The fire came up from the hole directly in front of her, and though not technically 'right in the middle of it' as she recalls, she was obviously close enough to get badly singed.
IF THE WITCHIVATOR AND THE SMOKE HOLE WERE ONE AND THE SAME, MISS HAMILTON WOULD HAVE BEEN KILLED INSTANTLY.
Kurt Steinruck
Jitterbug Related Questions
Q) Is it possible that the costly "Jitterbug" production number still exists in the hands of a private collector? Also how come there are no photographs of this number either. Surely something must survive somewhere, not just the rehearsal footage. If not why doesn't someone animate the sequence and restore it to the movie in a special edition package. Obviously it would have to be done really well ala Mary Poppins. But in this day and age it could be achieved brilliantly. Let me know what you think.
A) ONE 8 X 10 'Jitterbug' still remains, and I am sure you've seen it. Its located on page 116 of The 50th Anniversary Pictorial History' book by John Fricke, Jay Scarfone, and William Stillman.
This same, non-rare 'Jitterbug' photo has been featured in numerous ad campaigns in the 70's for both NBC and CBS TV showings, as well as appearances in several MGM related books (The back cover of the 1976 Grossett and Dunlap adaptation of the film by Horace J. Elias comes to mind).
This still is obviously taken from the number, and is proven in the foursome's same (but brief) exact stance/position if you view the Harold Arlen Home Movies with a critical eye.
Kurt Steinruck
Book Related Questions
Q) I would love to know if anyone has every created a list of the basic story differences between the book and the movie. I would also like to know what elements of the movie, if any, have entered the public domain. Can anyone out there guide me to a helpful resource?
A) No part of the MGM film is in public domain, not the songs, the names of the characters, etc. Turner owns the rights to every character's name (with the MGM likeness).
However, the story and ideas of 'The Wonderful Wizard of Oz' ARE in public domain and have been for many years. At this time, ANYONE could publish their own Oz book, as long as the MGM ideas and character likenesses (and songs) from the film are NOT used. For the stage, the MGM rights are owned by Tams Witmark Music Library in NY.
There have been small listings between some of the major changes between both book and film in many, many Oz film -related books, but not a thoroughly comprehensive one. If anyone knows of one, please let us know.
Kurt @ BTR is in the process of extracting every little detail and change from the 1900 book and the 1939 movie for a list of this kind. Anyone have any suggestions, please email us @ oznews@i1.net.
This list is by no means complete, these comparisons should give an IDEA of just exactly how many changes there were.
BELOW ARE A FEW OF THE DIFFERENCES FOR THOSE WHO MAY NOT KNOW TO THINK ABOUT UNTIL THE COMPREHENSIVE LIST IN CREATED. THERE ARE WELL OVER 100 CHANGES (IF YOU WANT EXTREME DETAILS) THAT WOULD BE
IMPOSSIBLE TO LIST TODAY
1). Almost NONE of L. Frank Baum's original 1900 'Wonderful Wizard of Oz' dialog made it into the 1939 film, although variations of it run rampant thru-out. In fact, ALL of the beloved catch phrases made famous in the 1939 film are interestingly, NOT 'Baum-isms' ('Ill Get You My Pretty', 'No Place Like Home', etc).
2). In the book, Kansas consists of Dorothy, Aunt Em, Toto, and Uncle Henry. There are no Kansas farmhands, nor a 'Miss Gulch' or 'Professor Marvel' character in Kansas. It seems Dorothy is even more lonely in the book than the 1939 film, having only Toto to talk to. Many of the MGM Kansas characters had Oz alter-egos, the better to have audience acceptance of fantasy characters as 'real' in the film.
3). The 'cyclone montage' of various characters flying past the sill are an MGM creation, they do not appear in the book, tho I'm sure it would have been interesting reading.
4). The Wicked Witch of the EAST is briefly seen in the MGM film, having transformed from Miss Gulch during the cyclone. NOTE: Miss Hamilton is undeniably wearing the ruby slippers.
5). Glinda the Witch of the North is a combo of the two 'Good' Witches from the book. This made it confusing for 1939 movie-goers used to the 'plump little old lady' type of Witch from the Munchkinland chapter of the book.
6). In the book, there are only three Munchkins that greet Dorothy along with the North Witch during the initial meeting in Munchkinland, tho there are many others (Boq, etc.) that Dorothy meets before she meets with the Scarecrow, and she 'parties' with them. MGM simply elaborated on this and added 124 little people for the MGM 'party'(and lengthened it to 10 minutes!).
7). The Wicked Witch of the West appears very early in the film, starting with the cyclone, then Munchkinland. In the book, she is in only her own chapter, though she is mentioned from time to time by other characters throughout the book. The Munchkinland appearance of the Witch never happened in the book.
8). The Ruby Slippers in the film, "Silver Shoes" in the book. For Technicolor purposes this was a change by MGM. Red would highlight more than silver in color film.
9). Almost all of the characters in the book have an extensive history that MGM did not include in their version.
10). The poppies the MGM Wicked Witch created were simply a bed of poisonous flowers in the book.
11). The vicious Kalidahs (Bodies of bears and heads of tigers) did not appear in the MGM film. These beasts attempted to stop Dot and her friends along the Yellow Brick Road, but the Tin Man saves them.
12). The book's Queen of the Field Mice, who with her army, saves Dorothy and the Lion from the poppies does not appear in the MGM film. It simply could not have been filmed, so MGM took an idea from the 1902 'Oz' stage show, and simply had Glinda send a snowstorm to revive them.
13). In the book and the film, the Scarecrow mentions fire as his main source of fear. The book NEVER elaborates on this point, but the MGM uses this as a plot point at least twice, both times the Witch is involved, and ultimately, leads to her death.
14). The Green Glasses the four characters have to wear upon entering Emerald City are not in the MGM film.
15). The Winged Monkeys have their own chapter in the book, including a history of how they came to serve their various masters, and are only in service to the Witch because of a Golden Cap. In the MGM film, they are her permanent servants, and do NOT speak. The Cap itself appears briefly during the Poppy Field scene in the film, as the Witch throws it across the room in frustration that Dorothy has gotten out of another jam.
16). The Wizard Of Oz commands the four to bring back the Witch's broomstick in the MGM proof suggested, he just wants the biddy killed and that's that.
17). The Horse of a Different Color is an MGM creation, as is the cabby, the Wash and Brush Up Co, and the Palace Guard.
18). The Wizard appears in many guises in the book (Great Head, The Lovely Lady, Ball of Fire, Evil Beast, invisible), as the characters see him separately one at a time. In the MGM film, he only appears as the Great Head.
19). The Wicked Witch imprisons Dorothy and locks her in the tower in the MGM film. In the book, Dorothy is forced to do HOUSEWORK! Also, Dorothy AND the Lion were captured by the Witch in the book.
20). In the MGM film, the Witch cannot remove the shoes lest she gets shocked. In the book, she actually obtains one of them and wears it briefly, see below.
21). The Wicked Witch's demise was NOT an accident in the book. Dorothy angrily and
deliberately throws the water at the Witch after the hag upsets her by stealing her shoe and wearing it.
22). Many adventures in the book after the death of the Wicked Witch were eliminated for effects purposes and time constraints, including the Flying Monkeys returning the four to Emerald City after the Witch is killed, The Dainty China Country, the Hammerheads, The Lion killing the Great Spider, etc.
23). The Apple Trees in the MGM film are the 'Fighting Trees' in the book, and come much later in the book than the film.
24). MGM treats Dorothy's journey to Oz as a dream. In the book, it is a REAL place. This has caused many playful rifts between the Oz book community and the MGM Film community for years.
MORE POINTS TO COME!
Kurt Steinruck
Q) Does anyone know if the Wizard of Oz book was ACTUALLY part of this series of reprints released in the late 50's/early 60's -- and the Roycraft series also?
I have never actually been able to find a picture of it or learn of its existence anywhere except reference of in the Bibliographia Oziana. Am dying to know and would love even more to see a picture of it, if anyone has one!
A) Yes, there is both a Dick Martin dust jacket and a Roycraft for THE WIZARD OF OZ (both on Dale Ulrey illustrated editions). The Martin is particularly attractive.
Technical Related Questions
Q) How many times does Toto (Terry) bark in the movie?
A) 44 (forty-four) -- she was pretty quiet about it too.
Q) Where can you find a theatrical back drop (mural type) of the Emerald City to use at a function?
A) From a company called JC Backings, located on the Sony Studios lot. The Emerald City backdrop they have is 8'X20'. It depicts the MGM version of the City with the mountains on the side with a beautifully painted poppy field. This backdrop has been used for stage productions, Oz events, etc. for years and was a high point of Scott Essman's 1998 -- "Tribute to Oz" celebration. Contact: JC Backings' number is: (310)-244-5830. They charge a flat rental fee. People wishing to rent the backdrop must ask it's availability first, as it frequently rents for ever-going Ozzie activities.
Kurt Steinruck
Q) Where I can find a script for a stage production of "The Wizard of Oz."
The only way to legally obtain the rights to a stage production of "The Wizard of Oz" film version is to
contact Tams Witmark Music Library in New York City. They are the sole owners to the rights to the 1987 Royal Shakespeare Company version (basically the film script and music) and the 1950's Muny adaptation (which is now extremely outdated and almost never performed anymore).
A) You must go through Tam's and pay royalties (depending on the size of the theatre) if you want to perform ANY version that features the dialog and/or the songs from the film.
You may want to write a non-film version yourself, since the 'story' of "The Wizard of Oz" outside of
the movie is in public domain.
The address for Tams-Witmark is:
Tams-Witmark Music Library
560 Lexington Avenue
New York, NY 10022
212-688-2525
or 800-221-7196
Kurt Steinruck
How To Ozify. . .
Q) Can you give me some ideas for Oz-Themed Birthday Parties?
A) Here are some ideas for parties with an Oz theme: Presently, there are two wonderful
designs available (for paper plates, cups, invitations, thank-you notes, etc.) with an Oz motif. The blue design (a gingham look) has been discontinued but can still be found at Ames Department Stores in their party section. The new, more contemporary pink design can be found at many party supply shops like Party City.
For more unique Oz parties, decorate the four corners of your dining area with the quadrant colors of Oz: yellow (Winkies), Blue (Munchkins), Red (Quadlings), and Purple (Gillikins). If you have a ceiling fan, hang appropriately colored streamers from the blades (but DO NOT RUN THE FAN!).
Next, decorate your center table to resemble the Emerald City. Use place settings in green to match the city or in the quadrant colors.
For party favors, you can use Oz stickers, washable tattoos, little books, and balloons. Also for party favors or as decorations, purchase Oz accessories (masks, plastic badges of courage, hearts, and axes) from your local costume shop. (Note: Use CAUTION with the Tin Man's axe. Although lightweight and plastic, it may represent a weapon and thus upset some parents and younger children.) Roll up gift certificates and tie them to look like the Scarecrow's diploma for party favors.
For added party fun, look into hiring costumed characters to read or entertain at your party, OR rent/make/wear costumes yourself. Make a "Yellow Brick Road" out of construction-paper rectangles leading from your front door to the party area. (Two-sided tape works well on linoleum, but consult your flooring specialist for safe adhesives. Also, WATCH FOR TRIPPING HAZARDS when entertaining young, running children.) Hay bales and corn stalks can be added to resemble the
Scarecrow's cornfield. Life-size Oz cutout figures can also be used as decorations.
For ambiance, play the "Wizard of Oz" soundtrack and/or video at a modest volume near the party area. Amazon.com and many brick-and-mortar retailers carry Oz-related audio and video items. Some tapes and CDs play music only while others contain actual dialog from the 1939 MGM film.
Finally, to make you own banners, certificates, invitations, and so on, Corel Print House offers a "Wizard of Oz" edition. It has wonderful graphics, quotes, icons, and wallpaper from the 1939 MGM film. Note: Take caution in loading. It MAY take over your system and replace Draw and Paint. Read directions thoroughly and consult you computer specialist for advice before loading.
Once loaded, however, you have absolutely FANTASTIC Oz-related art!
Since Halloween is nearing, here are some ideas for Oz costumes: As of September 2000, the Warner Brothers Stores are selling Oz costumes at reasonable prices. Most local costume shops sell Oz garments and accessories year round (Tin Man's heart and axe, Lion's courage badge, Ruby Slippers, wigs, Scarecrow's raffia, etc.) at reasonable prices. Party City sells costumes in the back portion of most of their stores. For those who can sew, Simplicity sells patterns for adult and children's sizes for the Witch, Glinda, Dorothy, the Lion, and the Tim Man. Have a great Halloween!
Have a great party!
Courtesy Elaine C. Baldwin
Q) Can you give me some ideas on how to decorate an Oz room?
A) As a designer and Oz collector, I am constantly searching for unique ideas to augment and decorate my Oz room. Here are some ideas: For a contemporary, summertime look to an Oz bedroom, try K-Mart for Martha Stewart's quilted covers and shams. Two designs (diamond and wedding ring) contain a sage green and soft-blue gingham print against a white background. To avoid a cluttered look, use simple white curtains with white appliqued trim (available at almost any department store). Tie them back with blue bows to match the gingham color. For more original room designs, try
decorating with an Oz character theme. For instance, a Scarecrow/Patchwork Girl room could contain a quilted bedspread (not too ornate), country-style decorations (available at any craft festival), muslin curtains tied back with raffia, and a Scarecrow hat hanging from the bedpost. For a Glinda theme, decorate with soft pink. Add pink tulle (lightweight, bridal netting) to the curtain treatment or the headboard, tied back with silver butterflies (she wears them on her gown in the MGM film). If you are more gothic in taste, try a Wicked Witch room with a pair of stuffed, striped socks and Ruby Slippers sticking out from under the bed (slippers can be hand-sequined or purchased at any costume shop). For a fun bathroom, the Warner Brothers Stores sell Oz shower curtains with Ruby Slipper curtain hooks! Note: If you are displaying your Oz collection IN your Oz bedroom, keep the decor simple to avoid a cluttered, twister-damaged look!
Courtesy of Elaine C. Baldwin
A) Here's a picture of a great way to decor-ala-Oz. . .
Q) Is there a CD-Rom Oz Adventure Game?
A) The game you refer to, 'Oz, The Magical Adventure' CD-ROM, was released two months ago by DK (Dorling Kindersley) Interactive Learning, and retails for $19.99. It is VERY hard to find at computer game stores, and even ebay has rarely featured it lately. That is unfortunate. HOWEVER, it is available for order for those interested directly from DK. Their website is: www.dk.com, or write to: DK Interactive Learning, 95 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10016.
The computer animation graphics of the Oz characters and lands, based on the L. Frank Baum book, are stunning. Once installed, you may need to set your colors a bit higher on your PC to visually inhance what the game has to offer, but it's a nice piece of Oz Memorabilia that has been overlooked simply because the marketing push isn't there.
The colorful box shows Dorothy and her friends, and the back shows the incredible computer backdrops, etc. Also, it shows the Wicked Witch, melting into a puddle.
The box back states:
Based on L. Frank Baum's Wondferul Wizard Of Oz
4 virtual environments from the original story
15 challenging puzzles
9 unique learning activities
3 levels of gameplay
Kids Learn Math skills
Deductive thinking, logic and reasoning
Problem-Solving
Concentration and memory
Measurement and fractions
Spatial relationships
Whew! All that is an OZ environment, what MORE could a parent ask for in an Oz game?
Kurt Steinruck
The Munchkin's most frequently asked questions & their answers:
1. "What was it like working with Judy Garland?"
"Beautiful! She was a lovely person, a very sweet girl, we liked her very much."
--Mickey, Margaret, Jerry, Ruth, Karl and Clarence
2. "Is it true you [Munchkins] all threw wild parties at your hotel; and did you really swing from the chandeliers?"
"How in the world could we swing from the chandeliers, when we couldn't even reach them?"
-- Jerry Maren & Mickey Carroll
3. "Did someone really hang himself on the set of The Wizard of Oz and can you see a shadow of it happening in the film during the Tin Man's dance?"
"Baloney! We are asked that all the time; it's the shadow of a big exotic bird I believe that MGM had on the set, nobody hung himself on the set, that's a lot of bunk!"
--Mickey Carroll and Margaret Pellegrini
4. "Were you there when Margaret Hamilton was burned?"
"Right there, and it's a shame that it happened. The first take was perfect, but for some reason the director wanted them to shoot it again, that's when the accident happened. The shot you see was the original take, like I said, it was perfect -- that poor woman."
-- Mickey Carroll
5. "Was it fun making the movie?"
"I felt it was an honor."
-- Clarence Swensen
6. "How old was Judy Garland when you made the film, and how old were you at that time?"
"Judy was 16 and I was 22."
-- Clarence Swensen
7. "Did you ever in your wildest dream think that it would be as popular now as it was when it was released?"
"No, not I, nor the movie industry!"
-- Clarence Swensen
8. "Did we [the Munchkins] realize what a classic the film would become?"
"No, we had no way of knowing. We were happy to have a job in 1938; 124 little people together was exciting. We made lifelong friends. It is wonderful to meet all these people who love The Wizard of Oz."
-- Ruth Robinson Duccini
9. "How did you get the part in The Wizard of Oz?"
"I was doing an act with my dancing teachers called Three Steps and a 1/2. We were playing the Bond Hotel, in Waterford, Connecticut. At that time, I was 17 years old, and an MGM talent scout discovered me and decided I would be perfect for the Lollipop Kid, due to my singing and acting ability."
-- Jerry Maren
10. "What was Margaret Hamilton like?"
"She was friendly and kind."
-- Jerry Maren
11. "Do you have a favorite memory?"
"Yes, when we were singing 'Ding, Dong, the Witch is Dead;' actually that number was pre-recorded, so they couldn't hear us, we were kidding around singing Ding, Dong, the Bitch is dead."
-- Jerry Maren
12. "How many surviving cast members are there and what are their names?"
Ten Munchkins as of December 2001 they are: Carroll, Mickey * Croft, Lewis * Doll, Tiny * Duccini, Ruth (Robinson) * Nardoni, Olga (as far as we know) * Maren, Jerry * Pellegrini, Margaret (Williams) * Raabe, Meinhardt * Slover, Karl * and Swensen, Clarence.
Surviving "Children" Munchkins: Bruno, Betty Ann * Hardway, Donna (Stewart) * Montgomery, Pricilla * and Kenmore, Joan.
Emerald Citizen: January, Lois
Elaine Willingham
More to come!
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