The Wizard of Oz
Ever been to Liberal Kansas? I have. Liberal is officially home to Dorothy Gale. Dorothy and Toto lifted off for Oz from a farmhouse near Liberal according to the Visitor’s Bureau. Visit Liberal and you can stroll the yellow brick road and take your selfie with a statue of Dorothy.
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she collects a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be a fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors are. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast members of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
The Wizard of Oz is set in the west, at least for takeoff and reentry purposes. You know – “There’s no place like home.” According to Western Writers of America, literature set in the west is western. Kansas is in the west, which makes this classic western enough for me; and I write these posts. Besides, it is a fun story with millions and millions of fans.
Need more proof The Wizard is a western? Professor Marvel (a.k.a. The Wizard) had a traveling medicine show. We did a whole post series on patent medicines and traveling medicine shows in the west. The Wicked Witch of the West rode a hobby horse. OK it was a broom but how many of us have pretended a broom was a horse? She wore a black hat too. The good witch Glinda’s hat was white, though it might have been a crown.
We know the story. Dorothy (Judy Garland) runs away from home to save her dog from the biddy on a bicycle Elvira Gulch. Professor Marvel (Frank Morgan) persuades her to go home. A tornado hits and the next thing you know, cue the color, Dorothy drops her house on the wicked witch’s sister. For this she collects a vengeful witch, a pair of ruby slippers, and a trip down a yellow brick road to see the Wizard of Oz. On the way to the Emerald City, she collects a scare crow (Ray Bolger) in need of a brain, a tin woodsman (Jack Haley) in need of a heart, and a cowardly lion (Bert Lahr) in need of a backbone.
The Great and Powerful Oz challenges them to bring him the broomstick of the Wicked Witch of the West in return for granting all their wishes. This they manage to do by harrowing adventure and a bucket of water that turns her wickedness into a steamy green puddle. Oz of course turns out to be a fraud – we know patent medicine purveyors are. Enter the ruby slippers, returning Dorothy to Liberal Kansas and a reunion with the cast members of her dream, just in time for the cast party.
The Wizard of Oz broke even at the box office but gained critical acclaim. It became an annual classic when released to the small screen. Western enough for this series.
Next Week: Ride Clear of Diablo
Return to Facebook to comment
Ride easy,
Paul
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Peg wrote: "Paul, a very entertaining and well written post. You have made my day. Merry Christmas to you and Trish.
Peggy"
Peg, So nice to hear from you. Hope all is well with you and Jim. Have a very Merry Christmas and joyous New Year.
Merry Christmas to you and Trish.
Peggy