Background
Besides
the clips from THE FAIRYLOGUE AND RADIO-PLAYS, this is the earliest film adaptation of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz. The adaptation was written by L. Frank Baum, himself.
The film was produced by The Selig Polyscope Company as part of a contractual agreement that Baum made with the company
when the failed FAIRYLOGUE project forced Baum into bankruptcy. The Selig Polyscope Company also produced two sequels:
DOROTHY AND THE SCARECROW IN OZ and THE LAND OF OZ. Unfortunately, neither sequel survives.
For many years
this film was considered to be lost. At the time that it was lost, it was widely considered to be a re-edited version
of THE FAIRYLOGUE "Wizard." However, upon recovery it was discovered to be a completely different film.
Because of the age of the film and lack of credits, there is some
question about the production crew and cast. Otis Turner, the director of the FAIRYLOGUE, is believed to have been the
director. The cast list that I have provided is just an approximation made by film historians.
Synopsis
The film follows the original
novel quite well, especially seeing as it only allow 10 minutes for the plot to unwind. Of course, the fact that most of
the original viewers had read the book was a great help. This movie also borrowed elements from Baum's 1902 Broadway
musical, for example Imogene the cow makes an appearance. The costumes, sets, and useage of chorus girls is also very
reminiscent
of the stage production.
The story begins in Kansas. Dorothy is walking by a cornfield on her family farm
when suddenly the Scarecrow comes to life. Dorothy helps him down off the pole. Suddenly a storm begins to blow.
We see Aunt Em, Uncle Henry, and some farm hands in panic. The Scarecrow gathers up Dorothy, Toto, Imogene, and Hank
the mule, and places them in a haystack. When the cyclone blows through it carries them all away to Oz.
Upon the arrival to Oz, there are no Munchkins and no witch has been killed.
The next shot is in the Emerald City where the Wizard is haunted by Momba (not a typo) the Witch.
In the next scene, they encounter a dark and creepy forest. They are unaware
of the lion that is lurking in the background. Dorothy and the Scarecrow find a note in which the Wizard proclaims that
he is tired of being King. He is also tired of being terrorized by Momba the Witch and that he will pass down the throne
to anyone who will free him from her. Dorothy and the Scarecrow decide to go find the Wizard of Oz in the Emerald City.
Suddenly Glinda the Good Witch appears and transforms Toto from a normal sized dog into an extraordinarily large dog, a "real
protector." When the lion attacks, Toto fights back and proves that this lion is infact cowardly. Realizing that
he is harmless, they allow him to join the band.
Soon they encounter the Tin Woodman. They oil him and he joins the party.
He plays his piccolo (another element from the play) as the Scarecrow and the animals perform a dance. After the dance,
the group carries on arm-in-arm.
The next scene is at the lair of the Wicked Witch, Momba. She captures Dorothy
and friends; she has everyone imprisoned except for Dorothy who she forces to work. In anger, Dorothy douses the Witch
with water and she melts away. For the time this was an amazing special effect which was achieved using double exposure.
Dorothy quickly frees her friends and claims Momba's golden cap.
Finally, they all reach the Emerald City. The Wizard is excited to hear that
they have rid Oz of the Wicked Witch. He attempts to crown Dorothy; however, she refuses the crown and the Scarecrow
is proclaimed king instead. There is a ceremonial dance and then the scene moves onto the preparations for the Wizard's
departure.
The Wizard leaves without Dorothy. Once he is out of sight, everyone except Dorothy
and friends files off screen. Then, for no apparent reason at all, they beginning dancing and the film ends. Of
course this must have left those who had never read the novel wandering if Dorothy ever got home. It must have also
confused those who knew the novel as Dorothy never obtained the Silver Shoes to return home. Perhaps the story was continued
in the lost sequels.
