Oz: The American Fairyland (1997)

Documentary

Overview

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.

Cast

• Lee Lively as Narrator
• Michael Patrick Hearn as Himself
• Ozma Baum Mantele as Herself
• Charles Santore as Himself
• Rachel Cosgrove Payes as Herself
• Jay Scarfone as Himself
• William Stillman as Himself
• Kelsey Davis as Child

Similar Movies

• The Secret of Oz
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: 50 Years of Magic
• L. Frank Baum: The Man Behind the Curtain
• Prettier Than Ever: The Restoration of Oz
• Because of the Wonderful Things It Does: The Legacy of Oz
• Yellow Brick Road
• Coppola, un hombre y sus sueños
• Who Stole the Ruby Slippers?
• The Wizard of U.S.
• The Wonderful Wizard of Oz: The True Story
• The Making of the Wiz Live!
• The Whimsical World of Oz