Oz page 1

Oz page 1 by ric Gustafson


At the end of the 19th century, fantasy was a common form of escapism. Popular literature at that time was full of the whimsy and the surreal. L Frank Baum was fascinated by the written word. One of his favorite stories was Lewis Carroll's Alice in Wonderland. The character of Alice intrigued Baum and he began developing a female character named Dorothy. He wanted to create a timeless and unique American heroine.
Talking pictures came into being in the late 1920's. America needed entertainment because of the stock market crash of 1929. In 1925, the first full length Oz film came out. The director and star was Larry Semon. Starting in 1914, four short subject silent films were directed by Baum himself. Walt Disney wanted to adapt Baum's story but could not secure the rights. In 1937, Disney released ' Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs'.


research help: ' The Wizard of Oz a CBS tradition' by CBS Watch Productions


Peace and God's blessings. Love Ric