By John Fricke It began almost five decades ago as an informal Saturday afternoon event: local kids in WIZARD OF OZ costumes, joyously “parading” around an empty parking lot and then adjourning indoors for birthday cake. The location? Well, it could have been anywhere in the world where the classic story of Dorothy and her …
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Part Three
THIRTY-FIVE YEARS LATER: REMEMBERING “THE WIZARD OF OZ” ON ITS 50th ANNIVERSARY IN 1989 by John Fricke I want to begin this month with a quick, genuine apology. When assembling the blog for last August, I planned a “look back,” some 35 years, to the 50th anniversary of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s film triumph, THE WIZARD OF OZ. …
For the Holidays!
A KIDNAPPED SANTA CLAUS by L. Frank Baum AN INTRODUCTORY NOTE May I first, please, extend to one and all my very best wishes/wish-Oz for a healthy, joyous, blessed, and memorable holiday season! I know you were promised that this month would bring the third and final reminiscence about the 1989 50th Anniversary celebrations of …
You Are There!
GABRIEL GALE (OZ AUTHOR/ILLUSTRATOR & ENTREPRENEUR) IS A SPECIAL GUEST AT THE LOS ANGELES PREMIERE OF “WICKED” By John Fricke I know it was promised that this month’s blog would offer the third (and final) reminiscence about the 50th anniversary celebrations of MGM’s THE WIZARD OF OZ back in 1989 – and I hereby vow …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO “THE GREEN BOOK”!
THE OFFICIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY PICTORIAL HISTORY” IS NOW 35 YEARS OLD Part Two By John Fricke Welcome to Part Two of our birthday salute to the best-selling, full-length history of Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer’s 1939 production of THE WIZARD OF OZ, first published 35 years ago this past August to commemorate the film’s 50th anniversary in 1989. Its …
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO “THE GREEN BOOK”!
“THE WIZARD OF OZ — THE OFFICIAL 50th ANNIVERSARY PICTORIAL HISTORY” IS NOW 35 😊 Part One – By John Fricke Above: This is the front dust jacket cover of the book that celebrated the golden anniversary of MGM’s THE WIZARD OF OZ just 35 years ago this summer . . . and on into …
Ha-Ha-Ha! Ho-Ho-Ho!
And a Happy, High-Spirited History of Last Month’s Magic (Or: Oz-Stravaganza® 2024 😊) by John Fricke After 46 prior and virtually annual jubilations, what can be said about Oz-Stravaganza® #47 that hasn’t been gratefully and proudly “sung out” before? Perhaps the most grandiose AND accurate declaration is that the weekend of May 31st-June 2nd, 2024, …
“L. Frank-ly, My Dear, We WILL Give a Fest!”
by John Fricke Given the paraphrased title of this month’s blog, may I remind you that this year marks the 85th anniversary of THAT film, too . . . . 😊 However, there’ll be no further homage to GONE WITH THE WIND! We’re all about ALL THINGS OZ, and we’re here to herald and celebrate …
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“ILL-OZ-STRATIONS” — DIVERSIFIED! Part Two
by John Fricke A bit of background to begin! Part One of this two-part series may be found by simply scrolling down past this entry; therein discussed are some of the early artists who pictured L. Frank Baum’s book, THE WIZARD OF OZ. There were comparatively few such illustrators, however; from its initial publication as …
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“ILL-OZ-STRATIONS” — DIVERSIFIED! Part One
By John Fricke Even occasional visitors to these blogs – or to Oz in general – will recognize the name William Wallace [W. W.] Denslow. It was his dazzling color pictures, artful book design, and character and setting concepts that helped make L. Frank Baum’s THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ the best-selling children’s book of …
Continue reading ““ILL-OZ-STRATIONS” — DIVERSIFIED! Part One”