Wicked - Madame Alexander Fall 2011

I have nothing to say but WOW!!!!

$169.95 each   16" tall

Please see Madame Alexander.com for more info on Glinda and Elphaba

Graphic 45 Magic of Oz Scrapbook Collection

Graphic 45 presents a gorgeous new scrapbook collection inspired by the art of W.W. Denslow and John R. Neill featured in L. Frank Baum's Wizard of Oz series.   Double sided papers, paper pads, chipboard die cut tags, and clings are arriving in stores now.   See Graphic 45's website for more product and photos. 

International Wizard of Oz Convention Banner Elk

The Land of Oz was a theme park in Banner Elk, North Carolina from 1970 - 1980.   Visitors could experience the wonder of Oz walking alongside Dorothy on a real yellow brick road.   The Land of Oz didn't boast any death defying rides or amusement games to test your skills but it did have original film costumes on display and the magic was palpable as soon as you set foot on the property.   Souvenirs from the park are still highly sought after today. 

The International Wizard of Oz Club will be hosting their national convention  August 5 - 7.   Attendees will undoubtedly be overtaken by the charm The Land of Oz still holds.   The International Wizard of Oz Club makes every effort to insure there is something for everyone whether your interests lie with the original books, the 1939 movie, or more modern pursuits.   Please see the links below for more information.

Alternate Registration Form
Event Details

Enlarge photos for detail

Please note early bird registration ends July 5th.   After July 5th the admission fee increases. 

Dorothy of Oz Bandai America Incorporated

LOS ANGELES, June 14, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Summertime Entertainment, through its exclusive licensing agent Travis James, LLC, recently signed a master worldwide toy license agreement with Bandai America Incorporated for the upcoming 3D CGI animated musical feature, DOROTHY OF OZ. DOROTHY OF OZ is on track to bow in the Summer of 2012.

Bandai's toy line will feature an array of products that evoke the magic and wonder of OZ, including dolls, play sets, plush, role play, trading cards, and more.

"We are very excited to be working so closely with the talented team at Bandai to deliver a compelling and endearing toy line in support of this beloved family-friendly film franchise," said Travis J. Rutherford, CEO of Travis James, LLC, who is spearheading the global licensing and retail development efforts on the DOROTHY OF OZ brand for Summertime Entertainment.

"We have seen some amazing new technology and play patterns brought to bear in the initial product assortments from Bandai and the early response from the retail community is tremendous. We look forward to bringing Dorothy and all of her lovable Oz friends to life in a way that has never been done before in a kids toy program," said Ryan Carroll, producer of DOROTHY OF OZ, and co-founder of Summertime Entertainment alongside his brother and fellow DOROTHY OF OZ producer, Roland Carroll.

The large range of licensed product is expected to be on the shelves of many major retailers by Summer 2012 in conjunction with the movie release.

"DOROTHY OF OZ boasts an impressive, award-winning cast, crew and musical talent, and we're sure this musical family adventure will enthrall a new generation with the world of OZ. Bandai looks forward to introducing an inspiring line of toys and collectibles that captures the spirit of the new franchise, and honors the legacy of the most watched film ever," said Andre Lake Mayer, Vice President, Licensing for Bandai America.

Additionally, Sheldon Rabinowitz, Summertime Entertainment's new business affairs consultant will be instrumental in helping to grow the franchise.

DOROTHY OF OZ is a 3D CG animated musical feature that stars Lea Michele (Dorothy), Martin Short (The Jester), Jim Belushi (The Cowardly Lion), Dan Aykroyd (Scarecrow), Kelsey Grammer (The Tin Man), Megan Hilty (China Princess), Hugh Dancy (Marshall Mallow), Oliver Platt (Wiser the Owl), and Patrick Stewart (Tugg). The film is based on one of the world's most popular and beloved fairy tales, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, and the further adventure books written by his great-grandson, Roger Stanton Baum.

For more information, visit www.dorothyofoz.com
For more information, visit www.summertimemedia.com
About Summertime Entertainment:

Summertime Entertainment is a multi-media company specializing in family-friendly entertainment for film, television, digital, mobile, and other trans-media platforms. Currently, Summertime is in production on a new franchise of epic proportions — the re-vitalization of the indelible and beloved Oz world originally created by L. Frank Baum and carried on through the creative minds of Roger Stanton Baum, the great grandson. Through various forms of digital worlds, online communities and a brand new stereoscopic, 3D-animated feature film, Oz will soon be brought back to life in literally new dimensions, for a whole new generation to love and cherish.

About Bandai America Incorporated:

A leader in developing engaging, quality toys that capture children's imaginative spirit and provide endless "Fun For The Future," Bandai America Incorporated is the manufacturer and master toy licensee of some of the most popular brands in children's toys and interactive entertainment today. The Bandai America brand family includes Power Rangers®, ThunderCats™, Ben 10™, Fashion Design by Harumika®, and Pocoyo™, among other boys, girls, preschool and hobby product lines. Bandai America Incorporated is a subsidiary of NAMCO BANDAI Holdings (USA) Inc., an entity that resulted from the integration of Namco Ltd. and Bandai Co. Ltd. of Japan. Global interests encompass three strategic business units: Toys and Hobby, Amusement Facility and Contents. The company is headquartered in Cypress, California. Find out more about our expertise in connecting with kids in fun and fresh ways at www.Bandai.com.
Source: Summertime Entertainment

IDW Publishing released a charming Dorothy of Oz comic earlier this year. To learn more about it and Dorothy of Oz please see my previous blog entry at The Curiozity Corner. 

http://curiozitycorner.blogspot.com/2011/04/dorothy-of-oz-by-idw-publishing.html

More Dorothy of Oz Licensing

Licensing is Full Speed Ahead for DOROTHY OF OZ

More than a dozen licensing agreements are already inked, while Summertime Entertainment eyes more partnerships at Licensing International Expo in Las Vegas

LOS ANGELES, June 15, 2011 /PRNewswire/ -- Licensing is full speed ahead for DOROTHY OF OZ as more than a dozen licensees have already agreed to create merchandise for the upcoming feature film. The 3D CG-animated musical starring the voice and musical talents of Lea Michele as the beloved Dorothy Gale is produced by Summertime Entertainment, which is founded by the Carroll Brothers, the multi-media production company set on revitalizing the beloved Oz franchise.

Travis J. Rutherford, C.E.O of Travis James, LLC, who is spearheading the global licensing and retail development efforts on the DOROTHY OF OZ franchise for Summertime Entertainment, has confirmed that several major retailers will support the brand with a myriad of licensed products next year.

The film, an independently financed and produced project geared for a late summer 2012 release, has already acquired numerous licensees in categories such as: toys, apparel, accessories, back to school, paper goods, costumes and novelties, early in the film's production process – with Bandai America Incorporated, as the global master toy partner, as its most recent announced deal.

Rutherford aims to capture additional licensing partners to round out the product assortments in social expression, party goods, cosmetics, childrens electronics, candy and confections, publishing, bedding and home decor at the Licensing International Expo.

"We already have a very robust licensing program established," Rutherford said. "My goal at the Licensing Show is to meet with additional domestic and international licensing partners to fill the various open categories, assign the international agent representation rights, and present the franchise to the other major retailers who have not yet seen the outstanding animation and great merchandisable characters from the film."

"We are very pleased with the traction and feedback from the retail and licensing community thus far – especially with the film still being early in the production process. With many tier-one licensing partners along with the assistance of Travis James LLC, will be delivering a meaningful and comprehensive licensing and promotional program for the film opening next year," said Roland Carroll, President of Summertime Entertainment.

Recently, Summertime Entertainment signed and announced a Master Worldwide Toy License Agreement with Bandai America Incorporated. It will feature dolls, play sets, plush, role-play, trading cards and more.

Other licensees participating the program geared toward girls ages 4–8 include:

• The Awake division of Jem Sportswear will create a line of girls T-shirts and fashion tops.
• SG Footwear will handle footwear and SGI Apparel has been licensed for girls sleepwear, both a division of the SG Companies.
• Hypnotic will provide hosiery.
• A.D. Sutton & Sons will create a diverse line of bags, backpacks and lunch bags.
• IDW Publishing is doing a 4 title comic book series and graphic novel.
• Trends International will create posters and bookmarks with the possibility of adding calendars and stickers to the assortment.
• Culturenik Publishing will provide novelty paper goods.
• Just Play will do cut & sew role-play / dress up items, along with some novelty products in the HBA category.
• Madame Alexander is producing a beautiful collection of high-end collectible dolls.
• Attraction Media & Entertainment is producing a 3-D/4-D theme park attraction, which will incorporate footage from the film.

DOROTHY OF OZ is a 3D CG animated musical feature that stars Lea Michele ("Dorothy"), Martin Short ("The Jester"), Jim Belushi ("The Cowardly Lion"), Dan Aykroyd ("Scarecrow"), Kelsey Grammer ("The Tin Man"), Megan Hilty ("China Princess"), Hugh Dancy ("Marshall Mallow"), Oliver Platt ("Wiser the Owl"), and Patrick Stewart ("Tugg"). The film is based on one of the world's most popular and beloved fairy tales, "The Wonderful Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, and the further adventure books written by his great-grandson, Roger Stanton Baum.

For more information, visit www.dorothyofoz.com

For more information, visit www.summertimemedia.com

About Summertime Entertainment:

Founded by the Carroll Brothers, Summertime Entertainment is a multi-media company specializing in family-friendly entertainment for film, television, digital, mobile, and other trans-media platforms. Currently, Summertime Entertainment is in production on a new franchise of epic proportions — the re-vitalization of the indelible and beloved Oz world originally created by L. Frank Baum and carried on through the creative minds of his descendants. Through various forms of digital worlds, online communities and a brand new stereoscopic, 3D-animated feature film, Oz will soon be brought back to life in literally new dimensions, for a whole new generation to love and cherish.

SOURCE Summertime Entertainment

Introduction

Welcome to Curiozities By The Book!

Over 100 years after the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, L. Frank Baum's "wonder tales" continue to be re-told again and again not only through words in books, but also in the plethora of merchandise inspired by America's most beloved fairyland.

In order to better accommodate the mounting interest in the original Oz stories, I felt the time had come to start a companion to The Curiozity Corner. As the tag line implies, this blog will cover book related merchandise and other assorted miscellaneoz Baumian delights.

Those familiar with The Curiozity Corner, I hope you'll find Curiozities By The Book enjoyable and to any newbies, I'm glad you've found me!