Comments on: Still Following the Yellow Brick Road (After 70 Years)

By: Lucky

Lucky — Fri, 14 Aug 2009 04:55:16 +0000

Don’t knock The Wiz… it’s a cult classic.

By: wm

wm — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 23:54:07 +0000

I just finished ready Buddy Ebsen’s autobiography entitled The Other Side of Oz. I learned about his involvement in the WoO movie and his sad disappearance from it before Mental Floss wrote about it! Unbelievable!

By: Eva

Eva — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 01:02:58 +0000

when i was like 3 or something i used to watch that film over and over and over. i Even called myself Glinda and had everyone else call me that too. my parents will never watch that movie again because of it.

By: Seven

Seven — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:39:08 +0000

It was not George Cukorâ€™s ego that prevented him from directing Oz. Cukor had an extraordinary contract with MGM, one that let him from time to time freelance for producer David O. Selznick. At the time Oz was in pre-production, Cukor was supposed to be in preparing to direct Gone With The Wind for Selznick. But script and casting problems had him cooling his heels with not much to do, so he was sent down the street back to Metro to do whatever they needed. His major contribution to Oz was ditching the blond wig and glamour look originally assigned to Dorothy for the more hayseed appearance we know today. After a few days, Selznick called Cukor back and his work on Oz was over. The irony of course is a few weeks into shooting, Cukor was fired from GWTW and Victor Fleming was pulled off of Oz to replace him.

By: Lori

Lori — Thu, 13 Aug 2009 00:19:16 +0000

The day after my son was born, I was able to watch The Wizard of Oz in the hospital with him laying next to me. I have many fond memories of this film.

About 20 miles from my home is the small town of Chittenango, NY. Every year, they host an Oz Festival, which includes a very elaborate parade and special appearances by some of the original Munchkins. Also in this town, is the Frank Oz museum. I have included the link with my name. Enjoy!

By: Wallis Lane

Wallis Lane — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 23:44:11 +0000

Thanks for the article. Non Oz-Buffs are often astounded that the Oz-world did not begin and end in 1939. BTW, the Oz Film Company (nicely faithful to the Denslow illustrations) almost bankrupted Baum.

Couple of corrections: Margaret Hamilton’s makeup didn’t catch on fire itself. During a take of the scene where she exits Munchkinland in a cloud of red smoke, her broom caught on fire and very badly burned her hand. The copper-based green makeup only made it worse.

And the three actors didn’t skip the cafeteria because they were “frightening,” but rather their makeup took so long to apply and was so rigid, that they had to leave it on all day, and were forced to suck their lunches through straws. Jack Haley couldn’t even sit down, and had to lean against a board to rest.

By: Christi

Christi — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 20:45:02 +0000

As much as I loved the Wizard of Oz, I had nightmares for years about the wheelies from the Return to Oz. However old I was when I saw that was WAY too young.

By: Melissa

Melissa — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:53:43 +0000

Tin Man is a great version! Also, Greg Maguire’s take on some of the classic children’s stories are a great read!!

By: Steven

Steven — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:23:20 +0000

umm…stefano…

…what were you doing in a public park looking up the dress of a sculpture?

By: Hastings

Hastings — Wed, 12 Aug 2009 19:11:46 +0000

LOL, I just watched Tin Man for the first time on Sunday. Had no idea I watched it the week of the Wizard of Oz anniversary. Gotta love a good coincidence.