The Wizardry of Oz [Hardcover]

William Stillman (Author), Jay Scarfone (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 12, 1999

The Wizard of Oz is one of the most popular and beloved motion pictures of all time. Seen by over one billion people worldwide since its 1939 premiere, Oz is an indelible part of our national consciousness---as much a part of our earliest childhood memories as it is an experience to be shared with succeeding generations.

Why does The Wizard of Oz endure despite modern advances in film make-up and special effects? This new book explores the construction of Oz at the height of Hollywood's golden age, and under the auspices of filmdom's greatest studio. Written by the nations leading Oz authorities, and with a Foreword by the Cowardly Lions make-up man, The Wizardry of Oz is a fascinating trip over the rainbow---from concept to realization.

For the first time in print, details about Oz's make-ups, costumes and special effects are revealed, accompanied by rare stills, Technicolor test frames, and blueprints. Actual costumes and props---now priceless treasures---are presented from the archives of memorabilia collectors, supplemented with never-before- conducted interviews with Ozs cast and crew. Included are behind-the-scenes stories of the stars---Judy Garland, Frank Morgan, Ray Bolger, Bert Lahr, Jack Haley, Billie Burke, Margaret Hamilton---as they worked on the film; more than 260 color and black-and-white illustrations; a list of the films of one of Oz's "biggest" stars---Toto; the complete credits for the film, augmented from the M- G-M archives; and a bibliography.

The book is a must for anyone who's ever hummed, "We're off to see the Wizard, the Wonderful Wizard of Oz!" Here then is The Wizard of Oz from the ground up-- -brick by yellow brick!

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The Wizardry of Oz, directly flouting the orders of the famous Wizard, asks us to pay attention to the man behind the curtain--all the men and women, in fact, who made the captivating visuals of The Wizard of Oz possible. The book is a beautiful and entertaining record of exactly how the stunning sets, costumes, and makeup in the classic movie came to life. Fascinating images crowd every page--makeup tests, storyboards, and costume renderings show the evolution of the look and feel of the movie, while lighting plans and set blueprints reveal the technical intricacies involved. The text is no less engaging, filled with tales of technical problem-solving. How to make Glinda's bubble shimmer properly? Would witchy ruby slippers be too unflattering for the young Dorothy? And how did they make that still-scary cyclone? The book is also peppered with sidebars and behind-the-scenes anecdotes, such as the startled reactions of other MGM players running across the garishly dyed versions of the Horse of a Different Color. One of the greatest pleasures of the book is the opportunity to look long and hard at the intricate sets (ever notice the hand-for-a-bookmark in the Witch's Tower?) and elaborate background matte paintings. Even the appendices are charming, including a complete listing of the cast and crew and a tribute to the career of Terry the terrier, later known to the world as Toto. Thoroughly researched and affectionately written, The Wizardry of Oz is a marvelous tribute to the making of one of the best movies ever made. --Ali Davis

Review

Excerpt: Is there a moviegoer in America who hasn't seen "The Wizard of Oz?"....The pages of "The Wizardry of Oz: The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 M-G-M Classic" are loaded with plenty of wonderful photos, blueprints, drawings, storyboards and other images. Exhaustively researched would be an understatement for "Wizardry of Oz" in which the authors...pick out minute details of the makeup, special effects and art direction in the film....The anecdotes about the actors are mostly gentle love letters; there's no nasty gossip or dastardly tales....You've just got to love makeup stories, costume tales and special effects recollections. Nevertheless, there are a few spicy moments. It also talks about the joys of creating special effects for the first time and the unprecedented look of the film....There's even a filmography of Dorothy's beloved dog, Toto. You'll come out of the book humming, "We're off to see the Wizard." -- Michael Farkash, The Hollywood Reporter, November 11, 1999

There's good reason why this new book...is a top seller on Amazon.com---a totally fascinating, revealing look at [Oz]. -- Collectors' Eye, July/August 2000

[A] work of art...packed with rare information that will delight the most devout Oz lover...a most satisfying resource... -- Coco Kiyonaga, Cult Movies,Issue #31

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 224 pages
• Publisher: Gramercy (October 12, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0517203332
• ISBN-13: 978-0517203330
• Product Dimensions: 11 x 8.9 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.4 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,865,584 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars THE Must Own "Oz" Event of the Millennium!, November 17, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: The Wizardry of Oz (Hardcover)

Authors Jay Scarfone and William Stillman have written a gorgeous new book celebrating the all-time film classic "The Wizard of Oz." Over the past few years it seemed that fans of the film had learned just about everything there was to learn about the making of "Oz" What a complete surprise and joyful discovery I made when peering into the cover of their newest book "The Wizardry of Oz." There are dozens and dozens of eye-popping pictures, relating the making of MGM's "Oz" through the eyes of the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Technicolor still-shots and blueprints galore fill the happy pages of one of the best books ever written about a film. How wonderful it is to get a fresh take on "Oz", not only through the pictures, but the text as well. Scarfone and Stillman give their readers information in a clear, consise format that leaves one wanting more. That said, not much is left out of the book. Believe this, coming from the ultimate "Oz" fan: you will learn facts about the film that were once thought to have disappeared forever. Now they return. And so, generations from now, future "Oz" fans and everyone else alike will have this information at their fingertips. How poignant it is to be able to thank those who went uncredited sixty- years ago. The book includes the most complete cast/credit list ever assembled for "The Wizard of Oz." Bravo! "The Wizardry of Oz", like the film itself, is a classic... Now and forever! Pick up a copy and enjoy one more trip back to a time when Hollywood was at its most creative and optimistic. With "The Wizardry of Oz", Scarfone and Stillman have become the true creative keepers of the "Oz" magic.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars PURE MAGIC!, July 28, 2000

By 

Brian Bohnett (Holt, Michigan USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizardry of Oz (Hardcover)

Just when you thought you'd read everything there was to know about the 1939 classic film, "The Wizard of Oz," Jay Scarfone and Bill Stillman come up with a volume like this. The behind-the-scenes production drawings and notes and photographs are just incredible. These two men know their stuff, and it all comes together so well in this book. I cannot recommend it enough.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Journey behind the scenes!, May 16, 2000

By 

Karen Owens - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Wizardry of Oz (Hardcover)

As Dorothy went down the yellow brick road to return to Kansas, these writers take us on a journey behind the scenes of this great movie classic. The journey takes us to all the talented people that made the production possible. Through their extensive researh and interviews we get to go behind the scenes and see the blue prints, make-up, costumes, set designs, special effects and so much more. It is full of pictures, many never before in print. You can hardly keep your eyes off the array of photos. This is a great book for those that love this great classic or anyone that enjoys the arts and theatre. The designers and cast went through tremendous changes to make this movie come to life. Today's tehnology would make their job much easier I am sure. I thank these writers for sharing their extensive research with us. L.Frank Baum wrote this wonderful story, MGM made it come to life and these authors showed us how it all happened.