The record opens with the studio chorus singing "Over The Rainbow," Then a rather... mature-sounding Dorothy introduces and tells the story.
The story adaptation is rather basic, but at times the text closely follows Baum's text. The MGM songs were licensed for the album. When Dorothy lands in Oz, the Munchkins sing "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!" with the additional opening lyrics. Which doesn't make much sense because part of the lyric is "'Till one fine day from Kansas way," but at this time, the Munchkins don't know where the house came from. The Scarecrow and the chorus sing "If I Only Had A Brain," "Follow The Yellow Brick Road/We're Off To See The Wizard" plays during the journey, "Ding Dong! The Witch is Dead!" is reprised when the Wicked Witch of the West dies, and at the end, "The Merry Old Land of Oz" plays.
The Kalidahs and the river are not included, nor is the Lion falling asleep in the poppy field, so his rescue is also removed. The four friends visit the Wizard in the reverse order from the book with the Lion being first and Dorothy being last. The Wicked Witch's attacks are shortened to just the wolves, crows, and Winged Monkeys. There is also no mention of the Golden Cap. No details are told about the trip to Glinda, just that it was a long journey.
Overall, a really good adaptation. I kind of wish they could have kept Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow for the rest of these records, but I guess he would have been out of the budget. The guy playing him does a really goofy voice.
This album also opened into an 11-page picture book with a brief retelling of the story.
Side two features the songs from the next Disneyland Oz story and songs album: The Cowardly Lion of Oz. But you'll hear about those later.
The story is much more abbreviated. No incidents are noted in between the Cowardly Lion joining the party and arriving at the Emerald City, where the Wizard, depicted as a man, only sees Dorothy. Right away the Wicked Witch of the West calls the Winged Monkeys, and Dorothy very quickly deals with her. And it is the Wizard who tells Dorothy how to get home, so his departure in the balloon is not included, nor is Glinda.
At the end of the story, the songs "Over The Rainbow" and "Follow The Yellow Brick Road/We're Off To See The Wizard" are played.
A very basic, simple adaptation. Worthwhile for the art and for Disney's excellent audio production values.
I grew up with these records and for all of my childhood, these were OZ to me. Since the MGM film was only shown once a year (in the 1970s) and I wasn't always allowed to watch it, I would retreat to my Disney OZ records and immerse myself in these. As a child, it never occurred to me that all of the characters were voiced by just a few actors. All uncredited: Dal McKinnon plays the Scarecrow; Ginny Tyler voices all three of the witches; Sam Edwards is heard as the Tin Woodman, Lion, Wizard and Gatekeeper, and Robie Lester, who narrated countless Read Along books was the voice of Dorothy. The chorus heard on the vocals was the famous Mike Sammes Singers, and Mike Sammes himself sang for the Scarecrow in "If I Only Had a Brain" sounding very much like Dal McKinnon. The lush arrangements are by Tutti Camarata. But as an 8 year-old kid, who knew? It took several decades and a lot of research to uncover all of this. I have pristine copies of these records in my collection now (most of them also converted to CD for easier access) which I still enjoy playing from time-to-time, when I feel nostalgic. So many Ozzy memories!
ReplyDeleteI have several in very good condition
ReplyDeleteI do sure wish that the Disney Animation studios would adapt this OZ records story into an animated feature film in the future someday
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