Customer Reviews

The Wizard of Oz : The Film Classic Comes to Life With Sound and Stunning Three-Dimension

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I was excited when I heard this book was in the works, and am now thoroughly pleased and thrilled to see its results! This book is magnificient; such a fresh, original way to pay tribute to MGM's classic 1939 film. The 3-D elements of this book really allows the reader to interact with it. A terrific job by both the authors and folks at Intervisual Books.

One might think that the book is lacking something with only ten pages, but that is NOT the case. Each turn of the page is jam packed with beautiful imagery from "The Wizard of Oz". This includes exquisitely designed mechanical pop-ups, gatefolds, and mini-windows to open up with plenty of pictures of our favorite Oz characters and scenes. Also, the authors did a fine job in retelling the classic movie with a simple, elegant writing style.

From the moment you open the book you get to experience the imagery of Oz leap off the pages right before your very eyes. Get whisked away from Kansas with a 3-D tornado and watch the Wicked Witch melt. You can almost feel the wind against your face and hear the cackle of the old crone as she meets her demise.

Another fun and fine point about this book is the 'extra' CD which accompanies it. The author's claim it will let you 'click your heels to the beat'. Well, don't be surprised if your feet are marching to the beat. And, if it weren't for having to hold the book in your hands, you'd probably be slapping your knees, too!!

This is another exceptional Oz contribution from Jay Scarfone and William Stillman. They've pretty much covered it all ... historical research, collectibles treasury, and now a trip down the lighter side of the yellow brick road with a visually extravagant three-dimensional edition of MGM's classic movie. This book will be a classic in its own right. I highly recommend everyone buy two copies; one to 'play' with and one to keep!

A sepia tornado hurls Dorothy's house out at you. Turn the page and the glorious color of Oz comes to life as Glinda hovers over Dorothy. Out of the many illustrated pop-up Oz books, this one is done with actual photos from our beloved movie! The book even creeks as Dorothy renders aid to the Tin Man. 11 pop-outs (6 of them are hidden in the side flaps) makes the reader part of the movie while turning the moving pages and lifting the flaps to discover all the familiar things we've grown to love. Just imagine melting the Wicked Witch at your will with only your fingertips. And if that's not enough, pop the CD out of it's pocket and into your player and listen to Judy Garland sing "Somewhere Over The Rainbow". Besides being a warm memento of the movie, this book is FUN!! Check out another Oz-some book by William Stillman and Jay Scarfone "The Wizardry Of OZ", they make great companion pieces.

This book was a WIZ of a WoW!

As you open each page, you see these incredible 3-D Pop-Ups! Plus you have hidden pannels to search through, AND a fun 7-minute long CD of song excerpts from the soundtrack of the movie (the Overture, "Over The Rainbow," etc.)

The kids will love it : IF they can get it away from the adults, that is!

This is a must-have book by the world's foremost OZ Experts -- Enjoy!

Since this is "The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History" of the beloved 1939 film, it is not surprising that John Fricke, Jay Scarfone, and William Stillman have put together the book that tops the "must have" list for fans of the film (after, of course, L. Frank Baum's original novel, which just had its centennial edition come out in 1903. After an introduction by Jack Haley, Jr., the volume's prologue, "The Marvelous Land of Oz," begins with the story of how Baum came up with the name for Oz and looks at the history of his stories prior to the movie. Also included in this prologue are stills from some of the vaudeville and silent movie versions (the 1925 film had Oliver Hardy as the Tin Woodman), the original book covers for the 42 Oz stories, and Technicolor test shots of the movie cast, which includes Judy Garland wearing a blond wig as Dorothy. By the time you finish this prologue you will know that this book is going to be everything that you would want as the table of contents indicates:

Part One - The Oz Diary: Creating a Classic: (1) Acquisition and Casting contrasts the signing of the cast with W.W. Denslow's first pictures of the characters; (2) Scripts, Songs, and Staff focuses on early drafts of the scripts and ideas for song more so than what actually ended up in the movie; (3) Wardrobe and Markup details the evolution of the look of each character with corresponding photographs; (4) The Thorpe "Era" is about Richard Thorpe's short tenure as the film's director, when Gale Sondergaard is the Wicked Witch and Dorothy is a blond; (5) There'll Be Some Changes Made is short but sweet and is about the changes George Cukor made as a stop gap under Victor Fleming was signed to direct the film; (6) "The Wizard" Comes to Life is a lengthy chapter covering the making of the film with its various legendary stories; and (7) Post-Production and Previews, which details what was cut (including "Over the Rainbow" at one point), when and why.

Part Two - The Oz Diary Continued: Promotion and Reception: (8) The Oz Campaign contains everything from Judy Garland telling Frank Morgan "Anybody can be a wizard at Jelly-Making" for a newspaper ad for Certo (never heard of it either)to a two-page full-color spread in "Life" and a special "Wizard of Oz" ad for the Sunday comics; (9) Hollywood Party is about the movie's gala premier; (10) "Capitol" Times in Manhattan is about the show at Loew's Capitol Theater In New York City that showed the movie along with a life performances by Garland and Mickey Rooney. This chapter also shows some of the first product tie-ins for the movie; and (11) From Coast to Coast is a brief look at promotion of the film across the nation and includes what might be the first editorial cartoon that used the Oz characters to comment on a real situation (Hitler is the Wicked Witch of the West and Mussolini is a winged monkey, while Dorothy is European civilization, the Scarecrow is Poland, the Lion is Britain, and the Tin Woodman is France).

Part Three - Raves and Accolades looks at (12) The Reviews, which includes a look at foreign books and domestic record versions; and (13) The Twelfth Annual Academy Awards, where the film won Best Song for "Over the Rainbow," Best Original Score for Herbert Stothart's underscoring and adaptation of the Arlen/Harburg songs, and Garland for best performance of a juvenile during the past year.

Part Four - Oz and Ends, includes brief looks at (14) Original Ozzy Merchandising; (15) Oz Abroad; and (16) Theatrical Reissue.

Part Five - Television Perennial covers how most of us first saw the movie, including (17) Guest Hosts on CBS (I always liked Dick Van Dyke); and (18) NBC Interlude/CBS Comeback.

Part Six - The Legend is another set of brief chapters on (19) Reunions and Reminiscences; (20) Merchandising; and (21) Icon, which ends the book on a perfect grade note with editorial cartoons on the death of Garland in 1959, Jack Haley in 1979, Margaret Hamilton in 1985, and Ray Bolger in 1987.

This volume includes more than 400 illustrations, half in color and many never before published, including over seventy makeup and costume portraits, behind-the-scenes and production photos, and not only stills but script pages from the musical numbers and segments that were filmed but cut from the release print (including "The Jitterbug," Bolger's extended solo dance to "If I Only Had a Brain," and the "triumphal return" sequence). The photographs of all the movie posters, toys, and other items associated with "The Wizard of Oz" can be found throughout the book instead of being collected all at the end of the book corresponding with when the movie came out. The last three parts could essentially be individual chapters to avoid the sense that you are racing through the end of the volume, but that is a minor complaint all things considered.

This is the best book for any one who wants pictures, publicity photos, complete biograpies, or any thing else you can think of , from The Wizard Of Oz.

"The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History" is the most comprehensive, fascinating and detailed book ever written about this movie. The book is absolutely huge and includes large, full-color pictures as well as black and white pics on nearly every single page. I was so amazed to find this book and at a such a great price, too. What a forgotten gem.

This is a hard cover book that is a total of 246 pages long. It was published in 1989 by Warner Books as a companion with the 50th Anniversary home-video of "The Wizard of Oz." The book is written by WOZ expect, John Fricke who is considered one of the most knowledgeable people on the history of this movie.

The book covers everything related to the 1939 movie classic. It starts out describing the original books by L. Frank Baum and even includes color pictures of every single book in the series (even the books written after his death). Also described are some of the Oz revivals and movies, made prior to the MGM picture.

Reading about the movie and how it was made was like opening the doors to MGM and getting a behind the scenes look at this classic. All of the major scenes are written about, deleted scenes and dialog is described and even included in the book are MGM inter-office memos used during the making of the move. Every detail is covered, and so much more!

I also learned so much from this book. There's so many interesting facts and funny stories and never-before-published pictures. There are quotes from interviews with all of the stars, too.

The book also includes original movie reviews published in their entirety. This offered a new perspective of the movie because at the time no one thought that this was going to last for even 20 years, let alone 50 (now 70).

The book includes movie posters, pictures and lobby covers of "The Wizard of Oz." There's also pictures of sheet music and magazine covers, not to mention collectable such as games, dresses and even the coveted ruby slippers. And I could not believe that the author even got pictures of international film posters and promotional items from overseas; from as far away as Brazil and Japan.

The book described the different TV airings, starting in 1956. Also included was detailed information about many of the telecasts which stated who hosted them and I was even amazed to see some of the original TV ads for the movie from "TV Guide" over the years.

This book has been published multiple times over the years (my review is for the original edition published in 1989). It was also published again in the mid-90's and again for the 60th anniversary and again in 2004 and again last year for the 70th anniversary. Speaking of books, this book even includes a detailed bibliography detailing many other fascinating Oz books. Of particular interest is The Oz scrapbook (1977) which describes not just the movie, but the books and everything else related to the perennial story.

If you love "The Wizard of Oz" you will adore "The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History." Remember, there's no place like home and there's no place like Oz.

Filled with color and b&w photos, this book details the making of the 1939 MGM movie classic, from its conceptions to detailed production notes, to previews and post-release marketing and reissues. A huge quantity of details and photos not previously released have been compiled for inclusion in this volume. Definitely a wonderful reference for anyone interested in this popular US film.

Softcover: 21 x 28 cm, 245 pages. New York: Warner Books Inc, 1989. LCCN 89-5495.

I'm definately NOT KIDDING when I say that THIS IS A GREAT BOOK!!! It is full of pictures and stories from the movie, directors and cast. It has pictures of the screen tests and sets. If you are a Wizard Of Oz fanatic, then you need to get this book now!!!

I also received the wrong book. The image and description of this product does not match up with the book that is sent. Very misleading. I plan to return the product and hope to get a refund.

I received the wrong product and I am still waiting for a refund. I noted that Bordee Books removed the item after sending me the wrong one and then reposted it at a price several hundred dollars higher several days later.

I'm clearly disappointed in this transaction and my experience re the integrity of their business.