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The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Movie Adaptations, Ranked

Nov 25, 2024

The Wonderful Wizard of Oz Movie Adaptations, Ranked

As someone who grew up enchanted by the magical world of Oz, I find myself captivated by this list that takes us through the rich history and diverse interpretations of L. Frank Baum’s timeless tale. Each film offers a unique take on the land of Oz, reflecting the creative minds behind them and the era they were produced in.

As a seasoned movie critic, I must share my journey before penning down the magical tale that captivated millions – “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Prior to this enchanting adventure, I was an actor, theater manager, frontier merchant, journalist, traveling salesman, and editor of a magazine dedicated to shop window displays. At the age of 41, in 1897, I published a collection of stories inspired by Mother Goose rhymes. These tales found success with readers, as did their sequels, but it took a few more years for me, L. Frank Baum, to write the book that would cement my name in literary history. In 1900, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” was born and swiftly rose to become an American best-seller, fulfilling my dream of creating a fairy tale unique to our beloved nation.

The Oz books penned by Baum continued to fulfill the initial objective, but almost immediately after its release, “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz” gained a unique identity through various adaptations into different media, with a notable example being a popular theatrical musical that debuted in 1902. Although Baum’s books would continue to be celebrated as significant milestones in children’s literature, it is cinema – and specifically this one film – that has ensured the eternal fame of Oz.

First Released in 1939, “The Wizard of Oz” brilliantly brought to life L. Frank Baum’s enchanting realm with breathtaking Technicolor and left an indelible mark on audiences through its timeless melodies, captivating acts, and heartfelt performances, with Judy Garland’s portrayal of Dorothy being particularly poignant. This cinematic gem stands as a testament to the magic of Hollywood’s golden era, a unique blend of ingenious set design, songwriting, and emotionally resonant performances. Its impact transcends musicals and children’s films. Much like the kingdom it depicts, this movie has the power to feel enchantingly immersive, even after numerous viewings.

Although “The Wizard of Oz” is the most famous and arguably the best, it’s not the only interpretation of L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” series. In fact, it wasn’t even the first. Despite any future Oz films being excellent, it’s challenging to envision any surpassing MGM’s classic. Here is a list of other Oz movies that have been attempted, going up to the latest release, “Wicked.

Just a heads up: The following list focuses solely on cinematic interpretations of L. Frank Baum’s “Oz” books that were theatrically released. This excludes TV shows, miniseries, straight-to-video animations, made-for-TV films, or other works loosely connected to Oz. (My apologies to fans of ‘Tom and Jerry and the Wizard of Oz’, ‘The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz’, and ‘Zardoz’.)

15.
The Wonderful Land of Oz (1969)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=2f9Hh54nAHM

There’s an argument to be made that Barry Mahon didn’t produce great films, but someone ought to create a movie on this intriguing director. A WWII hero who enlisted in the RAF before America entered the war and spent time as a POW, Mahon later served as Errol Flynn’s private pilot, then his manager during Flynn’s late career, and directed Flynn’s final film, the pro-Castro Cuban Rebel Girls. After Flynn’s demise, Mahon transitioned into B-movies like the beloved Mystery Science Theater 3000 title Rocket Attack U.S.A., eventually moving to even lower-tier productions as the creator of films such as The Adventures of Busty Brown and Run Swinger Run! In the late 1960s, Mahon shifted his focus to children’s movies, starting with an adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s second book in the Oz series. Though the film largely adheres to the book, its laughably cheap sets, costumes, and acting fail to evoke images of a magical land over the rainbow, to put it mildly. Just how cheap was it? The actor portraying Jack Pumpkinhead wears a mask that resembles the plastic jack-o’-lantern buckets used for trick-or-treating (and may actually be one), and his dialogue is muffled and echoey, suggesting that Mahon either ran out of time to replace it with a clearer recording or never intended to in the first place.

14.
Journey Back to Oz (1972)

From the 1960s to the 80s, Filmation Productions churned out numerous inexpensively made yet sometimes successful cartoon series such as The Archie Show, He-Man and the Masters of the Universe, and Fat Albert. The film Journey Back to Oz originated from Filmation’s early days in 1962 but was left unfinished until much later. By featuring Judy Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli, who played Dorothy; Mickey Rooney reprising his role as the Scarecrow; and Margaret Hamilton voicing Auntie Em, the movie invites comparisons to the MGM film, but these comparisons quickly become unfavorable due to the poor animation quality, with characters often appearing motionless, and evident cost-cutting measures. (You’ll likely hear a repetitive trumpeting elephant sound effect throughout.) For most of its runtime, the movie is quite disheartening as Dorothy reconnects with her Oz friends only to have them abandon her one by one while she stands up against the wicked Mombi (Ethel Merman). The film has its bright spots, like Paul Lynde’s portrayal of Jack Pumpkinhead, and the songs by Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen are decent. However, be warned that this journey along the yellow brick road can feel long and tedious at times.

13.
Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return (2014)

The animation sequel titled “Journey Back to Oz“, released recently, boasts a star-studded cast including Lea Michele, Dan Aykroyd, Kelsey Grammer, and Martin Short, along with some new tunes. However, its creation seems to have bypassed several crucial steps. Penned by L. Frank Baum’s great-grandson Roger S. Baum, it appears as if a DreamWorks discard, contributing to its status as one of the major animated failures of the 21st century. Yet, the intrigue lies in the story surrounding its questionable funding.

12.
The Wizard of Oz (1982)

As a die-hard film enthusiast, I’ve always been captivated by the idea of reinventing timeless classics like The Wizard of Oz. The story’s versatility makes it an ideal candidate for various artistic interpretations, including anime. However, the 1982 Japanese adaptation falls short of my expectations.

9.
The Patchwork Girl of Oz (1914) / His Majesty, the Scarecrow of Oz (1914) / The Magic Cloak of Oz (1914)

L. Frank Baum, renowned for his captivating children’s tales like The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, struggled financially as much as he excelled creatively. Despite the book’s success, he often found himself in debt and seeking solutions. Following his move to Hollywood in 1911, he played a significant role in transforming Oz into silver screen adaptations through three films based on later books. (Baum had sold the rights to The Wonderful Wizard of Oz to one of his creditors.) He immersed himself in these productions, overseeing every detail and leveraging his theater background and passion for photography. The end products are intriguing, showcasing groundbreaking special effects, early stop-motion animation examples, and ornate, occasionally grotesque costumes. Characters like the rotund, intimidating Roly-Rogues from The Magic Cloak of Oz leave a lasting impression. However, as films, they can be quite tedious due to unclear storytelling and slow pace. Despite positive reviews, they failed to resonate with audiences, leaving Baum out of the film industry by 1915.

8.
The Wizard of Oz (1925)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=Lz2rnKDv1OI

Known for his fame during his time yet overshadowed by peers now, Larry Semon was renowned for his numerous comedy shorts filled with visual jokes from the silent-movie era. It’s no shock that he decided to adapt The Wonderful Wizard of Oz into a humor-packed comedy featuring slapstick and acrobatics, with Semon himself playing the Scarecrow. While it’s generally entertaining (provided one can look past the inclusion of a stereotypical Black character named Snowball), its appeal lies mainly in the spectacular tornado scene. However, it falls short of greatness and bears only a faint resemblance to the original story. A box-office failure during its release, it played a role in Semon’s swift fall from success and health. He passed away at 39 a few years later.

7.
The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1910)

Frank Baum’s movie adaptations weren’t the earliest efforts to bring the magical world of Oz to life on the big screen. In fact, as early as 1908, he staged a production called The Fairylogue and Radio-Plays, a unique blend of film footage and live theater that starred Baum himself, along with actors portraying his creations. Despite its brief lifespan, this intricate production didn’t deter the Selig Polyscope Company, a Chicago-based film studio, from attempting their own movie adaptation a few years later. Although not as technologically advanced as Baum’s adaptations, the 1910 silent film The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, starring Bebe Daniels, was vibrant and surreal. It featured actors in animal costumes, transported Dorothy to a realm filled with bizarre creatures, and managed to squeeze much of the novel’s story into its 13-minute runtime. Tragically, two sequels, Dorothy and the Scarecrow in Oz and The Land of Oz, are now considered lost.

6.
The Wiz (1978)

In one interpretation, this film adaptation of the popular 1974 Broadway musical “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” set in a vibrant contemporary New York City-inspired fantasy world, boasts big-name actors, catchy tunes, extravagant sets, impressive Stan Winston makeup effects, and extravagant musical performances. However, it’s also been criticized for being disorganized and heavy. The question arises: What went amiss? Lead actress Diana Ross faced criticism at the time, but despite her age not fitting perfectly with Dorothy, reimagined as a 24-year-old kindergarten teacher unfamiliar with areas south of 125th Street, she holds her own in the lead role. Her vocal talents are undeniable. The main issues lie elsewhere: Director Sidney Lumet’s inability to create a cinematic feel while filming on location at iconic New York landmarks, and screenwriter Joel Schumacher’s script, filled with philosophies borrowed from the est movement, self-help seminars, and endurance tests that were popular in the ’70s. Nevertheless, as an over-the-top curio, there is nothing quite like it.

5.
Oz (1976)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=H97lbzGgK4U

In an alternative 1970s Australia, the film “Oz” portrays Dorothy (Joy Dunstant), a teenage music enthusiast, who, after surviving a car accident, finds herself in a peculiar version of her homeland. Equipped with ruby-encrusted platform shoes from an antique clothing store clerk named Glin (Robin Ramsey), Dorothy embarks on a journey to catch the final performance of a Bowie-esque rock star known as the Wizard. Along her path, she encounters a dimwitted surfer, an ill-tempered mechanic, and a seemingly tough biker with lots of bravado. Directed by Chris Löfvén, this adaptation of the classic tale may not delve too deeply into its retelling, but it’s clever enough to keep you entertained and offers a fascinating glimpse into 1970s Australia and the diverse perceptions of Australian masculinity.

4.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)

This “Wizard of Oz” prequel, helmed by Sam Raimi, fails to fully blend the eccentric vibes suggested by merging the Oz universe with a director known for “Evil Dead” and “Spider-Man” movies. The film, featuring James Franco as a future Wizard of Oz, offers brief hints of the zany spirit one might anticipate. However, it’s the non-human characters that truly stand out, such as Zach Braff’s voice-over for a flying monkey and Joey King’s voice for a delicate, intelligent doll. Unfortunately, the rest of the movie feels like a typical 2010s Hollywood blockbuster, merely adorned with “Oz” elements. It’s not terrible (it’s better than Tim Burton’s “Alice in Wonderland”), but it lacks the lasting impact that one might hope for.

3.
The Wizard of Oz (1933)

https://youtube.com/watch?v=watch?v=JlAuI4K8kHs

Frank Josley Baum, the eldest son of L. Frank Baum, carried on his father’s legacy of bringing ‘Oz’ to the big screen, contributing to the script of this animated short film directed by animation pioneer Ted Eshbaugh. Despite Eshbaugh being less recognized, his lack of fame is partly due to unfortunate circumstances surrounding this dialogue-free animated adaptation of ‘The Wonderful Wizard of Oz’. Characters such as Dorothy, Toto, the Scarecrow, Tin Man (actually Cowardly Lion in this version), and the Wizard embark on a journey to the Emerald City where they encounter hybrid animal creations by the Wizard. Unfortunately, Eshbaugh utilized three-strip Technicolor for this production, which Disney claimed exclusive rights over, resulting in its black-and-white release. However, fortunately, Eshbaugh retained a color copy, which has been preserved. This short film blends L. Frank Baum’s ‘Oz’ with the playful absurdity that characterized early animation when cartoons only required odd creatures squabbling and bouncing around to catchy tunes for eight minutes.

2.
Return to Oz (1985)

The only movie directed by renowned editor Walter Murch, “Return to Oz“, left critics puzzled and failed to captivate audiences in 1985. However, it quickly garnered a devoted cult following as soon as it left theaters. Despite being produced by Disney, the film presents an Oz narrative reminiscent of dark fantasy films such as “The Dark Crystal“, setting the stage for works like “Coraline“, Guillermo del Toro’s “The Devil’s Backbone” and “Pan’s Labyrinth“.

1.
Wicked (2024)

Transforming the cherished musical “Wicked,” originally penned by composer Stephen Schwarz and writer Winnie Holzman from Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel, into a film was no easy feat, as many things could have gone awry along the way. The process of transitioning from stage to screen spanned over 20 years, with numerous setbacks including delays and shifts in cast and directors. However, the final team that brought it to life seems hard to beat, especially considering the first half of the planned two-part adaptation. Director Jon M. Chu (known for “Crazy Rich Asians” and “In the Heights”) skillfully integrates the camera into the intricate musical sequences, while leads Ariana Grande and Cynthia Erivo deliver captivating performances as Galinda, who is sweet and shallow, and Elphaba, the outcast. Both actresses display impressive vocal abilities as well. Although each character’s ultimate fate is well-known, their complex friendship and the moral quandaries it uncovers in the realm of Oz make “Wicked” intriguing beyond its reinterpretation of Baum’s world.

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2024-11-25 21:54