Friday, October 11, 2024

Wicked hype and who's sitting it out


 As of this week, tickets are on sale for the long-awaited film adaptation of the musical Wicked. The film is confirmed to run for 160 minutes, 20 minutes shy of three hours. Winnie Holzman better have written the heck out of the story in this new, expanded form because this movie is only adapting the Act 1 portion of the musical with Act 2 making up Wicked: Part 2 next year.

The cast and crew are doing interviews and planning tours, some fans have gotten huge promotional gifts and have even seen the movie early. (Not that they can say anything.)

And there's a ton of merchandise from tie in books to a board game, a Monopoly game, clothing (including a Target exclusive line of clothes designed by costume designer Paul Tazewell), prop replicas, Halloween costumes, Funko Pops, LEGO sets, Squishmallows and dolls.

I decided to get the dolls based on picking up earlier lines of dolls tying in with Oz the Great and Powerful, the 75th anniversary MGM Wizard of Oz dolls, and a doll based on Legends of Oz: Dorothy's Return as well as customizing my own dolls based on Polychrome, Ozma and Glinda.

Given that the Wicked dolls are likely to be popular, I've been proactive about getting them, preordering them before they can sell out.


Here's what's available: six dolls are available from most retailers, please note that only dolls with the word "deluxe" in the name or description include a doll stand. All other dolls don't, so if you collect Oz dolls for display, either leave them in box or prepare to invest in some stands.

  • Deluxe Elphaba (based on the "Defying Gravity" sequence, complete with hat, bookbag, cape and broom)
  • Deluxe Glinda (based on the "bubble dress" she wears during "No One Mourns The Wicked, including a crown and wand)
  • Singing Glinda (based on her outfit during the "Popular" sequence, the doll plays two clips from the song)
  • Nessarose (based on her appearance during the OzDust Ballroom sequence with her wheelchair)
  • Elphaba (based on her appearance during the OzDust Ballroom sequence with her hat and a bookbag)
  • Glinda (based on her appearance during the OzDust Ballroom sequence)
Three dolls are exclusive to Walmart stores and being sold online:
  • Elphaba at Shiz University (dressed as she appears in scenes in the film as seen in trailers, featuring a striped asymmetrical jacket and a pleated asymmetrical skirt)
  • Glinda at Shiz University (dressed as she appears during her arrival at Shiz)
  • Madame Morrible (dressed as she appears early in the film)
Two dolls are exclusive to Target stores and are available online:
  • Singing Elphaba (dressed as she appears in the latter portion of the film during "One Short Day" and going forward, but without her "Defying Gravity" cape and broom, the doll plays two clips from "Defying Gravity")
  • Fiyero (dressed as he appears during the "Dancing Through Life" sequence)
In addition, Mattel Creations online is selling a deluxe two-pack of Madame Morrible and Elphaba as they appear during tutoring sessions as seen in trailers, this is the only Elphaba doll to include the glasses she wears in the film.

With thirteen dolls, the Wicked line is already expansive, and there's a second movie coming next year, and potentially even more merchandise to keep the pegs warm until then.

Personally, I hope the Wicked line gives us a doll of Jeff Goldblum's Wizard, as the character hasn't gotten much love in fashion doll form for any Oz line, with the exception of Oz the Great and Powerful, though James Franco's Wizard might not be the preferred one to include with dolls from other lines.



The soundtrack is releasing November 22, the same day as the film's wide release so you can listen to the songs right after seeing the movie. The tracklist as announced does not include any new songs or tracks from the score, but no Act 1 songs from the musical have been dropped. It'll be available to be streamed from digital music platforms or purchased for your own library, and there are multiple vinyl and CD editions available for preorder.

It's a good time to be an Oz fan, even if you don't care for Wicked, because if the movie does as well as the current hype is suggesting, studios might be open to making more Oz films or television productions. The recent Broadway revival of The Wiz with its new Amber Ruffin-penned book has already had some rumblings about a film version, but as it would be under Universal and they're currently doing Wicked, they'd wait until this one is over and then produce it if they chose to. Maybe Warner Brothers could finally make an Oz film of their own instead of just exploiting the MGM film.


And speaking of the MGM film, Warner Brothers has barely done anything with the fact that it's the 85th anniversary of MGM's The Wizard of Oz, which they own the rights to. They will be reissuing the 4K disc and Blu-Ray in a steelbook edition with recycled cover art from the 2005 3-disc DVD collector's edition of the film, featuring the Wicked Witch of the West's silhouette over her crystal ball with Dorothy and her friends visible inside against a green background. It also includes some paper goods the 2005 set included: a reproduction ticket, invitation and program for the premiere of the film with reproduction lobby cards and reproductions of different 1939 posters on cards. Which would be fine if it was selling for about $40 or less, but the price on preorders ranges from $53 (DeepDiscount) to $80 (Amazon), which makes it unattractive for those of us who already own the film in 4K as we've had no indication that there'll be any new content on the discs.

If, say, Flicker Alley released a collection of the Oz silent films restored in high definition, I'd expect to get it for about $45, what they charge for one of their Laurel and Hardy collections, and I'd love to buy that as soon as possible if it was available. But I own MGM's The Wizard of Oz on four DVD sets, a 3D/standard Blu-Ray collection and the first 4K release, and a laserdisc set and a handful of VHS tapes I can't use, but the packaging is pretty. I'm not interested in paying a premium price for essentially no new content.

And this is the only major new thing coming from the MGM film's branding aside from more licensed merchandise. No new books on the making of the film, no exciting publications of production materials, Mattel isn't even reissuing their famous Barbie Oz dolls, trying to see if they can get an even better Judy Garland likeness.


With the closure of the Boomerang streaming service, the recent animated series Dorothy and the Wizard of Oz is now only legally available for digital purchase with a nice bundle price exclusive to iTunes. And may I note, it bummed me out that the series began as a Boomerang exclusive but they never released all of the episodes on that service, keeping the last several for broadcast and purchase only. And no, it's not available to stream on Max. The series got 20 episodes released across two DVDs. There's no announcement of a Blu-Ray release yet.

Frankly, it's just frustrating to see Oz back in a big way in the public consciousness and Warner Brothers doing almost nothing to even exploit the MGM film or other Oz properties they own. Even Books of Wonder plans to begin reissuing the Thompson Oz books in hardcover now that more are in the public domain, and a Baum family member wrote a new Oz picture book. Gregory Maguire has turned out a book about young Elphaba that'll be available early next year titled Elphie, expanding his work for his take on Oz to eight novels and one short story collection.

... Sony/Disney? Can we get a Return to Oz 4K upgrade for next year? I'll preorder and tell my friends.

Saturday, September 07, 2024

Did Universal work a deal with Warner Brothers?

Sharp-eared Oz fans noted seven notes in the second theatrical trailer for the first part of the film adaptation of Wicked that released this week.


Close to the end of the trailer, the notes of Miss Gulch's theme from MGM's The Wizard of Oz can clearly be heard, seemingly creating a musical bridge between the 1939 classic and the 2024 film adaptation of a longtime Broadway mainstay.

Tori of The Oz Vlog noted that legally, you can copy up to seven notes in succession from an existing composition in a new one without fear of legal repercussion, and the use of Miss Gulch's theme is exactly seven notes. However, this isn't "Under Pressure" vs. "Ice, Ice, Baby." This is a case where the use of those seven notes from one work is clearly intended to connect it to this new work.

The use of MGM motifs in other studios' use of Oz isn't new. Shirley Temple's adaptation of The Land of Oz for her Shirley Temple Show clearly evoked the MGM film designs for the Tin Woodman, the Scarecrow and Glinda. The "it was or might have been a dream" motif has been reused in other adaptations. Disney's Return to Oz and Oz the Great and Powerful had cast members who play Oz characters double up as characters seen in Kansas. And Return to Oz even famously paid a lot of money to use the Ruby Slippers so as not to totally alienate audiences who only knew the MGM film.

Turner Entertainment bought the MGM film library in the mid-1980s, only to be merged into Warner Brothers, who has since changed hands many times in the past few decades, and haven't been doing well lately. For every Barbie and Dune Part II, there's more flops and disappointments, such as many of the final offerings of the DC Extended Universe. Add in a CEO who doesn't really seem to like movies, the studio's had some trouble.

That said, it's been said Warner has taken Oz productions to task over the years, making sure the new designs of the Emerald City and the Wicked Witch are distinct enough from the now trademarked designs seen in the MGM film.

When the first footage of the film adaptation of Wicked was seen at CinemaCon, it was reported that the Ruby Slippers were seen. (I have not seen this footage, I will note, I have only heard reports.) Now we have this music quoted in the trailer, and potentially the film score as well.

Did Universal work out some deal with Warner Brothers to use some elements of the 1939 film?

Maybe. We don't know as it hasn't been publicly commented upon yet.

Have they worked together before?

Yes. Some Warner Brothers properties are at Universal Parks, namely the attractions based on the Harry Potter franchise.

This year saw Universal and Warner Brother's co-production Twisters hit theaters, which depending on where you live, is distributed by either company.

They also came together to release a home video package of all of the Rankin-Bass Christmas specials on DVD and Blu-Ray together for the first time. This is aided by both studios' releases being handled by their co-owned company Studio Distribution Services now, SDS, who also sell them through Gruv. Through changing hands over the years, the rights for the specials are split between the two studios, with the first several (and Tales of the Wizard of Oz and Rankin-Bass' Return to Oz) winding up with Classic Media, who eventually wound up as part of Dreamworks, now properly part of Universal. The rest of the Christmas specials were bought up by Warner Brothers after Rankin-Bass officially dissolved. (The full breakdown of which Rankin-Bass properties are owned by who are very complicated, I'm only referring to the Christmas specials, do not use my simple breakdown for only part of their library for any legal advice.)

If Warner was approached by Universal, a studio they seem to have a good relationship with, to use elements of the 1939 film, I think we can say they'd be open to it, especially if Universal paid a bit for them. They expect Wicked to be a big box office draw, so a little extra investment would be worth it.

That said, if they really are essentially using those seven iconic notes in their trailer for free with a ruling ensuring there's nothing Warner Brothers can do, that's pretty bold of them.

Sunday, September 01, 2024

The Royal Podcast of Oz: Strawberry Shortcake Goes to Oz

 Jay and Sam break down two episodes of the 2003-2008 Strawberry Shortcake animated series: "Toto's Tale," loosely adapting the classic Wonderful Wizard of Oz story, and "Where the Gem Berries Glow," a second adventure in Strawberry Shortcake's version of Oz.

Sunday, August 25, 2024

Button-Bright's Pocket & Ozma's Nightstand - Two micro Oz stories

 While in the Pod Squad meeting for Down the Yellow Brick Pod, host Tara asked us to imagine what Oz characters  would have in their pockets or their nightstands and write a little piece. I picked Button-Bright.

I promise, no ChatGPT was involved.

My concept is that Button-Bright travels Oz and often stays with welcoming citizens who open their home to him. So, as he goes to bed...

Button-Bright rolled over in the bed and felt the items in his pocket push against his thigh.

Sitting up and reaching in, he removed a dozen marbles, a shooter, a pack of matches (they had long since been soaked and dried out and were useless), a coil of string and an odd looking pebble he had found that shimmered with all the colors of the rainbow.

Setting them on the bedside table, he laid down again, this time with nothing pressing against him.

Many of these items would be forgotten by the boy, being left for his hosts and their children to find some use for. He'd keep the matches, though.

Fellow attendee Eric Gjovaag sent me his story to post as well, so enjoy another one!

Ozma lay in her bed, blinking repeatedly.

“Darn it,” she thought to herself, “insomnia again!”

It didn’t happen to the young ruler of Oz very often, but when it did it really hit her hard, and she couldn’t sleep all night.

She sat up, reached over to her nightstand, and opened the drawer. 

Something in here may help, she thought.

Then she pulled out the jackknife.

Most of her friends might be surprised at it, but she’d had it longer than just about anything else, and had used it to create Jack Pumpkinhead, back when she was still a boy.

She then knew what she had to do, and rummaged around in her closet.

She put on the shirt, pants, and hat, and stepped out.

Tip was going out to look for an adventure!

Sunday, May 05, 2024

The Royal Podcast of Oz: Breaking Down The New Volshebnik Izumrudnogo Goroda Trailer

 Russia should really get out of Ukraine's business and make some good movies like the one Sam and Jay watch and discuss in this episode!

To watch the trailer yourself, go here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p3-d9qg9Ew4


Monday, April 01, 2024

Support the Patchwork Girl of Oz on Kickstarter!

 In a special entry of The Royal Podcast of Oz, Jay sits back as Sam Milazzo talks with comics writer Andy Mangels and artist Anna-Maria Cool about The Patchwork Girl of Oz graphic novel, a project you can back on Kickstarter to help bring it to life!

https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/andymangels/the-patchwork-girl-of-oz-book-one

Please consider backing this project. There's a wide variety of perks from pins and digital books about the history of the Patchwork Girl to paper dolls to the comic itself, variant covers, and even original dolls based on the characters! Andy and Anna explain in the podcast that the book is going to be a gorgeous volume. You will want to own this book!



Tuesday, March 05, 2024

The Royal Podcast of Oz: New episodes!

 Well, there's two episodes I haven't posted about on here yet. To stay on top of the podcast, be sure to follow The Royal Podcast of Oz on your favorite podcast service.

Last month, Angelo Thomas and I went frame by frame for the first look trailer for the movie adaptation of Wicked.


Meanwhile, last week, Erica Olivera joined Sam and I to discuss the short film Heartless: The Story of the Tin Man. (This has explicit language. If you know Erica, you get it.)

It had opened on Tuesday night with a great feast and so many more people - but I made it to the end so it was easier to walk around and talk about.
Matt and I looked around the large collection, in a small yet comfortable space, as we talked to the owner Dorothy Overton who said she had left others in order to make the packing and travel easier.  Among the things she said was how she met Munchkin Margaret Pellegrini and got her autograph with a photo.
Eventually we met another Oz fan, Christie Wilson, who was relieved to find other adult Oz fans at a children's funland without any children of their own ... likewise she seemed very knowledgeable of Oz and its various books and films too, without knowing or seeing everything.
We discussed our disappointment with "Great and Powerful", our opinions of "wicked" and a bit about MGM, we had a look at the other Oz displays in the other glass cabinets that are already displayed at Funland - Oz cows and ducks, figures ("Simpsons"), plates, etc. - under a selection of posters for MGM, Wiz and Betty Boop.
It was through Christie that I learned how during Nikki Webster's performance that she was putting on a Californian accent (I never noticed that or gave it much thought before, to be honest, I miss some of those unless they're really obvious or noticeably strong). There were programs and merchandise and a few things for sale . . . but if you wanted Ruby Slippers, they were $150 - however you could get them custom-sized or get some soft slip-ins. Set-up seemed the same as before. The only difference between the first visit and this time was that I was able to drive myself. Exhibition closed after 2 pm, Matt and I both content at our varying Oz collection sizes.
(originally handwritten Friday February 22, 2019, with additional entries on Monday night Feb 25 and Tues Feb 26, from own recollection and second-hand information; slightly revised on typing


* Yes; 5 years ago, to this day.

Happy Anniversary to this special event with a long-awaited overdue Blog (originally intended as a Baum Bugle article, but never happened.)

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

OzCon 2024 announcement


Hello, everyone!

This year, we will return to Kellogg West Conference Center and Hotel in Pomona, California, from July 19-20. Yes, that's two full days of programming at Kellogg. Additionally, we are looking into events outside of Kellogg for an early meet-up on Thursday evening to warm us up for the convention with extra activity in the planning stages for Sunday. To finish, you can once again hang out with your Oz buddies on a trip to Disneyland on Monday, 22.

This year, to celebrate the 60th anniversary of OzCon International, our major theme is celebrating the Royal Historians of Oz. We wouldn't have the Famous Forty Oz books without them! There would be no MGM classic movie musical (which celebrates its 85th anniversary this year) or Wicked (which is getting the first part of its film adaptation this year) without the stories by Baum, Thompson, Neill, Snow, Cosgrove or the McGraws.

In addition, we're also exploring the many Oz games invented over the years, allowing fans to interact with Oz in fun and competitive ways. I've even been preparing a presentation looking at the evolution of Oz video games, even touching base with some of the people who made the earliest games.

Colin Ayres and I have been working on a schedule of events with early volunteer presenters (thank you!) to be sure to have a great convention ahead.

Last but definitely not least, we are celebrating sixty years of OzCon. Our programming will offer plenty of opportunity for cozy chats with new and old friends, one of the features that make our conventions so memorable. We'll still have favorites such as Show and Tell to showcase your treasures; the Masquerade costume contest to channel your favorite characters, and the return of the Treasure Hunt to find some Ozzy treasure.

We will be having a single track program this year, aside from having alternate activities during the auction on Saturday. You won't need to miss a thing!

Do you have an idea for a presentation, panel or activity? Do you want to be on a panel about a particular Ozzy topic? There’s still plenty of time to put yourself forward. Don’t miss a chance to join our Ozzy lineup! We’re accepting presentations for proposals until March 31. Go ahead and email Colin and me at chair@ozcon-international.com

You can follow updates on our social media outlets on Facebook (OzCon International) and Instagram (ozconinternational), The OzConnection on YouTube and for the first time, we have a Discord server! If you're not familiar, Discord is a messaging platform. A server is a space specifically for a group of users to chat and share information with each other, with it being further broken into specific channels for specific topics. Using Discord, OzCon attendees can get breaking announcements, find people to share rooms with, meet up before and after the convention and quickly get in touch with convention organizers. To join the OzCon server, follow this link, sign up for Discord and get in there. Stay tuned for more announcements coming soon!

Jared "Jay" Davis