Legends of Oz at Toys R Us

When I first heard about this movie (the earliest I found in my records is an article from 2006), I was excited for many reasons.  At the time it was called Dorothy of Oz, Dorothy and Toto are my favorite characters so HOORAY!!!   Even better it was to be based on a book of the same title by the great-grandson of L. Frank Baum, Roger Baum.  The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is in public domain so anyone can pen an Oz book based on those characters, but it especially gladdens my heart that a family member chose to carry on the tradition. Who better????  It's been a long time since I've read the book, but I remember being utterly charmed by it.  Furthering my excitement was learning that it was to be released in theaters and not straight to video. And being a long time Oz collector, some of my very first thoughts were about merchandising, most especially dolls.  Oh please, pleeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeease let there be cute dolls.  Here we are in 2014, we are almost a month away from the May 9th release date and lo and behold...............some of my fondest wishes come true!!!!!!!

I can not being to put into words the exhilaration of walking into Toys R Us and seeing Oz toys on the shelves.  That doesn't happen nearly often enough.  And being the emotional person I am, yes, I did tear up right there in the store.  

These particular toys are by Bandai.  You can see my Toy Fair coverage if you keep scrolling through. Cute, cute, cute does not begin to describe!  The Dorothy dolls have the loveliest faces and beautiful auburn hair.  She has the familiar blue gingham on her dresses.  My only real gripe is that she was given blue eyes when I would have preferred brown.  But A.) I'm biased and B.) that would be the fault of the film makers not Bandai. Bandai did an incredible job with this line. And one of my particular joys is the Toto with sounds.  For years, I've wanted a barking Toto and now I have one!!  Toys R Us didn't get very many Totos and I was lucky enough to get in there quick. Speaking of Toto, I do have one more gripe.  All of the dolls except the basic fashion doll should have come with a Toto. Dorothy ALWAYS needs Toto.  But that said, all of the toys are super precious and I think kids will love them.  

15" Large Dorothy

$24.99  

Dorothy Basic Fashion Doll

$16.99

Dorothy & Toto Fashion Doll

$19.99

Dorothy Singing Fashion Doll

$24.99

She sings snippets of Work With Me and One Day

Dorothy and Classic Friends Figures 

$12.99

Plush Toto with Sound

$19.99

Toto pants, licks, and barks

These toys and more available at Toys R Us stores nationwide and Toysrus.com 

Bandai toys will also be available at Target and Kmart. 

See the movie in theaters May 9

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