Oz: The American Fairyland
“L. FRANK BAUM AND THE ROYAL HISTORY OF OZ”
1997•NR•1h 53m•9.0•Released
Documentary
The first part tells of the life and works of L. Frank Baum, along with his career as a writer and filmmaker, centering on the creation of Oz. This portion continues with the effect of Oz after his death, with novelties, dolls, radio, stage, and screen adaptions, and advertising gimmicks based on his work, culminating with MGM's Wizard of Oz (1939). While discussing some of the major alterations between the book and the film, such as MGM making Baum's real-life adventure a dream. The second half is about interpretation of Oz by other artists, including Helen Kish, Barry Moser, Barry Mahon, Evelyn Copelman, Robert Tonner, Robin Woods, Michael Hague, Lizbeth Zwerger, Pavel Arsyenov, and Charles Santore. The documentary concludes with an analysis of Baum's work and its profound effect on American culture.
Director
Leonard A. Swan Jr.
Writer
Janet Anderson
Studio
Sirocco Productions
Cast
Lee Lively
Narrator
Michael Patrick Hearn
Himself
Ozma Baum Mantele
Herself
Charles Santore
Himself
Rachel Cosgrove Payes
Herself
Jay Scarfone
Himself
William Stillman
Himself
Kelsey Davis
Child
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