4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Rankin/Bass' First Television Special!!, March 2, 2008
This one-hour primetime television special was the very first from the beloved Rankin/Bass production company, who were also responsible for most of the Christmas specials we see every year inlcuding RUDOLPH THE RED NOSED REINDEER, FROSTY THE SNOWMAN & SANTA CLAUS IS COMIN' TO TOWN. Debuting in 1964, this cel-animation was similar in style to the wonderful TALES OF THE WIZARD OF OZ series they had done previously (hopefully those will make their way onto DVD as well). As with all of Rankin/Bass' efforts, this trip back to Oz features attractive animation, spectacular voice talent, great songs, and a fun story that is enjoyable for adults and children. And for the price, you simply can't go wrong.
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
RANKIN/BASS Eye candy!, May 16, 2006
This review is from: Return to Oz (DVD)
This was the first RANKIN/BASS TV Special, which originally aired on the NBC-TV GENERAL ELECTRIC FANTASY HOUR in February, 1964. It was the first also for writer ROMEO MULLER and I have his original type written script for this one! GENERAL ELECTRIC had a nice tie-in CHARM BRACELET from the special! If you bought an iron, you got the extra! The animation is derivitive of the GREAT UPA style that came out of the late 1950's and early 1960's and was designed by TONY PETERS out of the RANKIN/BASS New York offices. This is also the first time RANKIN/BASS Composer MAURY LAWS got involved with a RANKIN/BASS Project and became Musical Supervisor by doing the orchestrations. MAURY will be taking the RANKIN/BASS Music out on the road during CHRISTMAS 2007 and hitting all of the major symphonies! I will be CREATIVE DIRECTOR on this traveling RANKIN/BASS magical musical! Look for us at a venue near you!
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3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Nice Rankin Bass animation gem from the 60's., April 16, 2006
This review is from: Return to Oz (DVD)
The songs, the excellent voice over characterizations, the clever animation, and fun characters, are what always made Rankin Bass specials a winner. This one is no exception. While the animation does appear dated, it does not distract from this story derived from the characters of the Rankin Bass TV show Tales of the Wizard of Oz, which consisted of over 100 5 minute animated shorts from 1961. It features the same characters from the show, but Dorothy and Toto look different. There's the Wicked Witch, Glinda, Dandy the Lion, Rusty the Tin Man, Socrates the straw man (scarecrow), the Wizard, and of course, Toto. The DVD has no special features, and it does not appear the animation was digitally cleaned up at all (some artifacting present).
This is continuing in a current release line of vintage Rankin Bass releases, which started late last year with the two volumes of the animated 60's King Kong Show, and is continuing with two shows from the early 70's Festival of Family Classics: 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea, and Around the World in 80 Days, found on one DVD titled Festival of Family Classics Adventures Volume 1. Numbering that one volume 1, presumably means we are in for more. Keep 'em coming!
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