Monday, May 20, 2013

Wonderful World of Oz Book and Farnsworth Museum Exhibit

 
News coming from film critic and Oz fan extraordinaire Ryan Jay: 
 
*cover art not final*
 
It’s the Ozzy compendium of the new millennium! In his new book, The Wonderful World of Oz: An Illustrated History of the American Classic, best-selling author and Emmy Award-winning producer John Fricke celebrates the 75th anniversary of MGM's The Wizard of Oz, along with all other aspects of L. Frank Baum's classic series of "American Fairy Tales." The deluxe pictorial chronologically travels through more than eleven decades of Oz books, productions, and memorabilia and will be published on October 1, 2013, by Down East Books.

Fricke is widely regarded as the preeminent Oz and Judy Garland historian, and his latest book makes its debut in conjunction with several major events in the greater Oz community. Foremost among these is the similarly-titled exhibition, The Wonderful World of Oz, opening on Saturday, October 12, 2013, and running through spring 2014 at The Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland, ME. The art for the book and the items for the Farnsworth show have been drawn from the holdings of Willard Carroll and Tom Wilhite, which comprise the most comprehensive Oz collection in the world.

The Farnsworth (
www.farnsworthmuseum.org) is the only nationally-recognized art museum mounting a six-month Oz anniversary retrospective. Via Carroll and Wilhite, both the exhibition and Fricke's The Wonderful World of Oz will illustratively detail the entire 114 year arc of Oz-to-date: from the publication of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz in 1900 to the 2013 film, Oz The Great and Powerful, which has grossed a half-billion dollars world-wide since its premiere in March. Highlights include such MGM collectibles as one of "Dorothy's" test dresses and original blouse; the costume of a Munchkin member of the "Lollipop Guild"; and one of the hourglasses of the Wicked Witch of the West.

Concurrent with the book and exhibition, Warner Home Video will debut (on October 1) its latest deluxe DVD release of the legendary Garland motion picture, The Wizard of Oz. For the film's 75th anniversary, the studio has remastered the 1939 musical in 3D and will market it in a variety of lavish packagings with a host of additional features. Paramount among the latter is producer/director/writer Gary Leva's new "making of" Oz documentary, in which Fricke is featured. For Warner Bros.' use, Fricke has also prepared a one-hundred point "time line," tracing the history of the MGM Oz film from preproduction in autumn 1937 to the Academy Award ceremonies in February 1940.

Among other 2013 Oz-related appearances, Fricke will serve as host and lecturer at the annual OZ-Stravaganza! festival in Chittenango, NY (hometown of Oz author Baum) from Friday, May 31st through Sunday, June 2nd. He will fulfill similar duties as "master of ceremonies of special events" at the Oz Festival in Wamego, KS, from Friday, September 27th through Sunday, September 29th. (Additional appearance information, plus specifics of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz book, are forthcoming.)
 
And more details per Down East Books:
 
Hardcover
160 pages
Releasing early October
Table of Contents:
 Preface
Introduction
1900s: Down the Yellow Brick Road
1910s: The Royal Historian of Oz
1920s:An American Phenomenon
1930s: A technicolor Show of Shows
1940s: Oz Around the World
1950s: Oz Comes Home
1960s: Off to see the Wizard
1970s: Ease on Down the Road
1980s: Return to Oz
1990s: Rainbow Road
2000s: Wicked Wonderful
**please note this information is subject to change prior to publication**
 
About author John Fricke:  John Fricke is the author of The Wizard of Oz: An Illustrated Companion to the Timeless Movie Classic, The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversay Pictoral History, Judy: A Legendary Film Career, Judy Garland: World’s Greatest Entertainer. He is a two time Emmy Award-winning producer for PBS American Masters and A&E biography documentaries about Judy Garland. He lives in New York City.
 
Pre-order from Amazon

As someone who loved Oz the Great and Powerful I'm THRILLED it will be a part of this book.  Please see Ryan Jay's links for spot on reviews of the theatrical release of Disney's Oz the Great and Powerful. 

http://ryanjayreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/oz-great-and-powerful.html

http://ryanjayreviews.blogspot.com/2013/03/tv-review-oz-great-and-powerful.html

http://www.todaystmj4.com/wisconsintonight/197221501.html

Ryan Jay will be reviewing Oz the Great and Powerful on Blu Ray so watch his blog!!!
 

Tuesday, May 7, 2013

Oz the Great and Powerful on Blu Ray, DVD, Digital and On Demand June 11

Press Release:

Go Deeper Into the Spectacular Land of Oz

BURBANK, Calif. May 1, 2013 — Disney’s “Oz The Great and Powerful” will once again provide audiences with a magical entertainment experience when it debuts for in-home release on Blu-ray™ Combo Pack, DVD, Digital and On-Demand, June 11, 2013.

A must-own for any home entertainment collection, the Blu-ray Combo Pack (Blu-ray + DVD + Digital Copy) of “Oz The Great and Powerful” brings the epic adventure to life with its vibrantly colorful picture and sound, and boasts a sensational variety of never-before-seen bonus materials including: “The Magic of ‘Oz The Great and Powerful’ Second Screen Feature” that provides viewers with an immersive opportunity to journey into the fantastical lands of Oz; James Franco’s personal story of his journey to the land of Oz that is produced and directed by the Oscar® nominated star himself; Golden Globe® nominee Mila Kunis’ makeup metamorphosis which is hosted by Academy Award®-winning makeup artist Howard Berger; A back-stage journey through each of the visual effects process that brought China Girl to life including an interview with Joey King; and much more. Additionally, all Blu-ray and DVD products include a digital copy of the film allowing consumers to watch “Oz The Great and Powerful” at home, in their car, and/or anywhere they go.

The film is directed by Sam Raimi who helmed the record-crushing “Spider-Man” trilogy, and produced by Joe Roth who fashioned Disney’s billion dollar-plus earning “Alice in Wonderland.” “Oz The Great and Powerful” boasts a stellar cast that includes Academy Award nominee James Franco (“127 Hours”) as Oscar Diggs, the predestined wizard; Golden Globe nominee Mila Kunis (“Black Swan”) as the tormented young witch Theodora; Academy Award winner Rachel Weisz (“The Constant Gardener”) as Theodora’s older sister, Evanora, the witch who rules over the Emerald City; and three-time Oscar-nominated actress Michelle Williams (“Brokeback Mountain,” “Blue Valentine,” “My Week with Marilyn”) as Glinda, the Good Witch.



 
 
 
Blu Ray Bonus Features:

The Magic of “Oz The Great and Powerful” (Second Screen Experience) - An immersive Second Screen experience that details all things Oz.  From an interactive map full of secrets and surprises, to an inside look at the spectacular world of Oz. All fans need to do is download the special “The Magic of Oz The Great and Powerful: Second Screen” App (which is free and currently available for immediate download at the iTunes Store for iPads) which provides fans with infinite opportunities to remain connected to their favorite film, its cast of characters and to dive deeper into the magical world of Oz. This App provides exclusive access to invigorating and exclusive content including:

The Enchanting Characters and Creatures of Oz - From Munchkins and Tinkers to good witches, bad witches, and flying baboons, this piece follows each character and creature of the Land of Oz from inspiration to final outcome.
 
The Sounds of Magical Oz - What adds fragility to the sounds of China Girl's footsteps; ferocity to the tornado; or weight to the flutter of Finley's flapping wings?
 
Sleight of Hand: Zach Braff Puppet Theater - Actor, and voice of Finley, Zach Braff introduces viewers to the Finley mockup.
 
Mariah Carey Music Video
 
 
 Bloopers
 
My Journey in Oz by James Franco - A personal story produced and directed by James Franco.
 
Mr. Elfman’s Musical Concoctions - An interview with composer Danny Elfman unveils his inspiration in scoring “Oz The Great And Powerful.”
 
China Girl and the Suspension of Disbelief - This feature uncloaks the several forms of movie magic employed to bring China Girl to life, from the initial artwork and character design, to the on-set puppeteering during filmmaking, and finally, through each stage of the visual-effects process; and includes an interview with Joey King, the voice of China Girl.
 
Before Your Very Eyes: From Kansas to Oz - Production designer Robert Stromberg takes viewers through the set design of the Land of Oz, from sketching his original ideas on a napkin, through to the final set pieces and the accompanying visual effects.
 
Mila’s Metamorphosis - Lead makeup artist Howard Berger expands on one of the oldest, most tried-and-true forms of movie magic: makeup design and effects.
 
Walt Disney and the Road to Oz - It is well known that Walt Disney had a fascination with the Land of Oz since he was a child.  See how that fascination grew into inspiration as he began planning for his own adaptation of the stories in the classic Baum books.
 
 
DVD Bonus Features:

Bloopers
Walt Disney and the Road to Oz
 
 
PREORDER NOW!
 
 
 
 


Sunday, May 5, 2013

Oz the Great and Powerful Bracelets


Toys R Us is carrying 3 sets of licensed Oz the Great and Powerful bracelets by High Intencity.   They are Glinda, Evanora, and China Girl for $8.99 each
 

 
 
 



 
 
Another company Roxo, did VERY limited charms and a charm bracelet for Oz.  The bracelet was $44.99 and sold out quickly.  Unfortunately, I'm just posting photos for reference.
 
 




Oz the Great and Powerful Poster and Bookmark


 
24" by 36" poster
 
 
 
Beaded bookmark
 
 
 

Oz the Great and Powerful Sheet Music


Hal Leonard Piano Solo of selections from Oz the Great and Powerful composed by Danny Elfman
40 pages including 8 pages of color photos from the movie
SRP:  $14.99