The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History [Hardcover]

John Fricke (Author), Jay Scarfone (Author), William Stillman (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: August 1989

Published to coincide with MGM's 50th anniversary relaunch of the movie worldwide, this book reveals the traumas that bedevilled the making of "The Wizard of Oz" in 1939. The book includes interviews with surviving actors and production personnel, as well as newly uncovered photographs.

--This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Written by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman, authors of "The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 M-G-M Classic." --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 245 pages
• Publisher: Warner Books; 1ST edition (August 1989)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0446514462
• ISBN-13: 978-0446514460
• Product Dimensions: 11.1 x 8.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #944,180 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A visual extravaganza down the yellow brick road!, October 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz : The Film Classic Comes to Life With Sound and Stunning Three-Dimension (Hardcover)

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!

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Pop goes the Tin Man!, January 12, 2001

By 

Connie S. Marshall (Denver, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: The Wizard of Oz : The Film Classic Comes to Life With Sound and Stunning Three-Dimension (Hardcover)

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.

8 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars OZ-some!, October 9, 2000

By 

Scott Schechter "[e-mail] / Author ... (New York, NY USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Wizard of Oz : The Film Classic Comes to Life With Sound and Stunning Three-Dimension (Hardcover)

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!