CriticSociety- film reviews

 Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:

I would like to add some comments concerning the original novel this film is based upon. I read it, and I love it. There are many differences with the movie, but I must state that I love the movie as well (read my review if you have any doubt).

First of all, Dorothy is much younger in the book; smaller, I should say, since I don't suppose Judy Garland's character is supposed to be as old as she was when the film was made. Her house was smaller, too, and there were not any Hickory, Hunk or Zeke. Nothing interesting really happens before the cyclone (not tornado) takes her house away with her and Toto inside.

The land of Oz is as colorful as it's in the film; Kansas is quite grey. The munchkins don't give such a warm reception to Dorothy, though she is welcome; not by Glinda but by the other good witch (who is really short)... and a couple of munchkins. Oh, and the slippers are silver. By the way, Dorothy has no business with the evil witch just yet.

Dorothy's travel through the yellow brick road is definitely not as pleasant as it seems in the movie. She gets dirty, tired and hungry often. She needs to find places to spend the night. She does befriend the Scarecrow, the Tin Woodman and the Lion as she does in the movie, though their personalities are much richer here (with the exception of the Lion, probably). The Tin Woodman's tale (about him becoming a tin man) is really spooky. The Lion is indeed a coward, but he doesn't behave like a Scooby Doo-like coward all the time like he does in the movie; instead, he proves quite brave throughout. Just like the Scarecrow is the smartest and the Tin Woodman the most sensitive, though they don't realize so.

Inside the Emerald City, all the people must wear green spectacles, locked behind their heads!

The Wizard of Oz is as impressive, only it appears in a different form to the eyes of each visitor.

The journey to the evil witch's land is more detailed. The Scarecrow and the Woodman don't make it, while Dorothy and the Lion are enslaved. The witch doesn't live in a castle, but in a palace. The way Dorothy kills the witch is the same. Later, the winged monkeys (whose tale is told here in detail) help them to get back to the Emerald City, along with the Scarecrow and the Woodman, who are saved.

The phony Oz is discovered when they return, who now explains who he really is. He does grant the wishes of the Scarecrow, the Woodman and the Lion though. But he doesn't do that the way he does in the movie; here, he gives them a brain, a heart and courage, physically speaking. He makes them think so, at least.

He then thinks of the balloon thing and Dorothy stays thanks to Toto and a kitty (just like it happens in the movie). Then the party goes to seek Glinda, of the south, for help. The Scarecrow, the Lion and the Woodman are all requested to rule somewhere, but they decide to do so only after Dorothy has returned to Kansas safely. The Lion is impressively brave by then.

In the way, they get to a land completely made of china. This episode is gorgeous.

Finally Glinda grants Dorothy's wish by telling her the secret of her slippers, and the winged monkeys take the three companions to the lands where they'll rule.

Dorothy gets back to Kansas and finds a new house built by her Uncle Henry... Her visit to Oz was not a dream!


Gosh, I'm dying to read the next Oz books!

 Morris wrote at 6/22/2002:

This is all terribly interesting. I'm glad you got to read that first book! Indeed the movie is wonderful. I just love it and it is a classic. One of the first movies my children will see someday.....

 Groucho wrote at 6/22/2002:

Haha, listen to this guy. Not even near marriage and already thinking about his children.

You'll be a great dad, I'm sure, Moe!