Oz 2014 page 4

Oz 2014 page 4 by ric gustafson


MGM decided in 1938 to make a full length feature musical of the Wizard of Oz. By that time, the classic story had become part of American culture. The story was first published in 1900 and before he died in 1919, Baum had written 13 sequels. Even though the story was well known, MGM did do some key changes to it.
The first change is that in the original story, Dorothy could of been between five or six years of age. Dorothy in the film appears to be on the verge of adolescence. The second change is that in the original story, Dorothy's slippers were silver. In the film, her magic slippers are ruby red. The third change is that the Wicked Witch of the West is less wicked so as not to scare children who read it. In the film, they wanted Margaret Hamilton to be like Snow White's Evil Queen.
The fourth change is that in the original story Dorothy and her friends wear green tinted glasses the entire time they are in the Emerald City. The Emerald City is actually glowing green the entire time in the film. The fifth change is that in the original story, the Tin Man was once a human being. In the film, he is an animated machine longing for a human heart. The sixth change is that in the original story, Dorothy and her friends confront fighting trees, go through the Dainty China Country, do battle with a giant spider and fight armless Quadlings. In the film, they do none of these. The last change is that in the original story Dorothy clicks her silver shoes three times, flies above America and returns to a new wooden farmhouse built by Uncle Henry. In the film, she wakes up in her bed surrounded by the ones who love her because of a bump to the head. Was it all a dream?.
Next, we will look at the prelude to Oz.


research help: ' The Wizard of Oz' by I-5 Publishing


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric