In this episode of Adaptation, the hosts discuss L. Frank Baum’s book The Wonderful Wizard of Oz and Victor Fleming’s film The Wizard of Oz. Along the way, some burning questions are asked such as would Dorothy really choose Kansas over Oz? And did Glinda get manipulation lessons to Dumbledore or the other way around?

Also check out the episodes on Oz the Great and Powerful and Legend’s of Oz: Dorothy’s Return!

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SHOW NOTES:

Music: The Merry Old Land of Oz from The Wizard of Oz soundtrack

Upcoming Films

Safe Haven

-Feb 14 (US), March 1 (UK)

-Based on book by Nicholas Sparks

-Starring Julianne Hough and Josh Duhamel

Beautiful Creatures

-Feb 13 (UK), Feb 14 (US)

-Based on novel by Kami Garcia and Margaret Stohl

-Starring Alice Englert, Alden Ehrenreich, Emma Thomson, Viola Davis, Jeremy Irons

–Covered on episode #33: Beautiful Outcasters

Main Discussion

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

-By L Frank Baum

-Published in 1900

-13 sequels written by LF Baum

-After Baum’s death, publishers had 26 more written mostly by Ruth Plumly Thompson

-Others published after it went public domain

-Adapted into a stage musical by Baum in 1902, making more explicit references to the story as a political allegory, but it has never been confirmed that Baum meant it that way

-Themes: self-contradiction, things aren’t as they seem

-Characters: Dorothy, Lion, Tim Man, Scarecrow, Oz

The Wizard of Oz (1939)

-Written: Noel Langley, Florence Ryerson, Edgar Allen Woolf

-Directed: Victor Fleming

-Starring: Judy Garland, Frank Morgan (Oz etc), Ray Bloger (Hunk, Scarecrow), Bert Lahr (Zeke, Lion), Jack Haley (Hickory, Tin Man), Margaret Hamilton (Miss Gulch, Witch)

-Themes: self-contradiction, making it all a dream, actors playing multiple roles, no place like home

Oz: The Great and Powerful (2013)

-Release: March 8 (US and UK)

-Written: Mitchell Kapner, David Lindsay-Abaire

-Directed: Sam Raimi

-Starring: James Franco, Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, Michelle Williams

-Prequel to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Stay tuned for episode #35 on Jonathan Levine’s film Warm Bodies!