The Wizard of Oz: Movie: 75 + Years of Enchantment Anniversary Companion
The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion is, as the titles implies, a travel into and about the movie. The authors William Stillman, and Jay Scarfone, do a commendable job of laying out the background. However, where is the meat?
Perhaps it is me, as I did not mean to get this book when ordering via the online system that my library uses. It was the original and unabridged Oz story that I was searching. But having received it, it was set aside to read after the Oz story.
It was interesting but disappointing at parts. Seemed to be trying to justify Oz, the movie, rather than just telling the story. And it does seem to be quite a story. For instance, who knew that it was the “success of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) which grossed $3.5 million in Depression-era dollars – caused major motion picture studios to seriously reconsider the viability of film fantasy.”
Or that The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) was “L. Frank Baum’s sixth book for children, published when the author was turning forty-four. “
Or the producer had to fight to keep Judy Garland singing the classic, “Over the Rainbow” in the movie. Would the movie had been The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, without that song?
Finally, let’s remember author L. Frank Baum: “The Man who discovered the Land of Oz” and to thank the producers for their quite faithful rendering of that story onto the big screen. However, truth be told, I have only ever seen it on a TV screen. Perhaps we can correct that someday.
Lino Matteo ©™
Twitter @Lino_Matteo
https://linomatteo.wordpress.com/2023/05/13/the-wizard-of-oz-thoughts/
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