L.Frank Baum's OZ Series (Part One)
L. Frank Baum, I love you. I found you first at nine. I gobbled you up like Fun-Dip and Cherry Coke. I read you again at fifteen, you were even more miraculous and eye-opening. I tried you again at nineteen and you spoke to me, you understood my life. I read you again at twenty-seven and it was like reuniting with lost loved ones, I wept on every page. I read you once more at thirty-five and felt a peace inside, a certain comfort knowing you (and your cast of hundreds) would always be there for me.
There is nothing - absotively nothing - better than the Baum OZ series. The original fourteen published entries during his lifetime, what some refer to as Core-OZ, they have won a treasured slot in my black heart. I have studied OZ. I have memorized lengthy sections of OZ. I have taught classes on OZ. I live for OZ. Probably not the OZ you're thinking of - but one not too far away.
With the recent Disney flick starring James Franco - that will bring the eye of the world back onto these original fourteen novels, winning over yet another generation to the wonderful world of OZ. I've been a resident of OZ for (sigh) over thirty years now - and the thrill is undiminished, unwavering and every bit as powerful today as it was those many years ago when I first discovered those dusty paperbacks, neglected and forgotten in the children's section of the town library.
1) "THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ" (1900): It's almost hard to imagine a world without Oz. This is the singular beginning to the entire franchise - and there is very little I could say about this novel that hasn't already been said a thousand times. Every living creature on the planet has seen the 1939 Judy Garland/MGM musical version. Some lucky folks have even seen the Baum produced silent film (below) - but none of that matters when it comes to sitting down and actually reading this story. It's familiar yet slightly different. There are characters most people have never met (The Hungry Tiger) that go along with the same old walk down the yellow brick road in the quest for the Wicked Witch of the West. This was only the prelude to the symphony, however; over the next three years Baum would work tirelessly to try and license/market/hype this story in any possible venue (hence the silent film), including the Broadway musical. It distracted him and kept him busy and he still wasn't aware of just how big of a cash cow he had given birth to - and then, in 1903 he began writing the second installment, toying with the idea that this could even BE a series. This is the only OZ book that was illustrated by WW Denslow - giving it those iconic images you've all seen to death.
2) "THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ" (1904): Thank God for this installment - one of the best in that it introduces a KEY figure in OZ, the royal princess and rightful leader herself - Ozma! It also introduces a new illustrator that would work with Baum until the end (and later play a key figure in keeping the OZ canon alive), John R. Neill. The best part is H.M. Wogglebug, T.E - who is just such a fantastically ridiculous character, you have to meet him! The plot is centered around Tip and the witch Mombi as they fuss and fight. It's a very fast read as there is less backstory this time and Baum is eagerly leaping into OZ with both silver slipper-heels intact. The Gump makes his first appearance in this book. The plot of this novel ends with the discovery of Ozma and putting her on the throne - making way for the next book. Baum had figured he would continue his trend of aggressive marketing and shoot for a trilogy at this point. Fans of iffy-movies will know this story as half of the plot of Disney's Return To Oz, the remainder of the story (The Nome King) composes the bulk of ...
3) "OZMA OF OZ" (1907): After three years of waiting and watching his film ideas flop, his Broadway dreams flop - yet his book sales rising, Baum returned to OZ for his third. This time he had a beautiful royal figure to maintain balance so he could branch out - share with us new characters we've never met before, new neighboring countries like EV, and more importantly - Tik-Tok and Bellina. This novel is deceptively smaller than the others when you first look at it on the shelf. The reason for this is that it's the only OZ book that features full color art on both sides of the page - so every page is thinner. It's just as lengthy of a story as any other OZ book so don't let it fool you. It's also one of the best. I have a tattoo to prove it. For the first time, you get the sense that OZ is a much larger world than originally introduced to you in the previous two novels. This OZ is vast, encompassing many generations of citizens, neighboring countries, etc. Baum broadens the spectrum for the first time here, showing us that the four counties of OZ aren't all that he's going to be giving us. The sensation gives the reader a sensation close to what a crack-head must experience when the crack runs out. You...just...neeeeed more.
4) "DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ" (1908): I just love how this one begins. I also love this one as it takes place almost completely underground - for the first time allowing us to imagine that OZ is not only magical on the surface - but underneath its soil as well. Published just a year after its predecessor, Baum knew what his life's calling was all about - and was in full control of his power as a storyteller when he returned for this fourth in the series. He reassures us from the title by announcing the return of two beloved characters - and puts them into a wild adventure. This is the beginning of the OZ series that has never been adapted in any fashion - so the only way to enjoy OZ from here on is with a book. The Mangaboos, Zeb the Horse, the six piglets - all are very beloved to me and once you get through this slim volume, you'll want to fall weightlessly down onto a vegetable kingdom, get arrested and battle Gargoyles, too! You laugh now...but just you wait...
5) "THE ROAD TO OZ" (1909): Polychrome, the rainbow's daughter. The Shaggy Man and Button Bright. Baum (still fussy about the success of OZ, he wanted to write many series set in various places but...the world wanted OZ) attempted to bridge the gap and infuse some of the characters from his other books into OZ. It worked! He brings back Dorothy and the crew sets off on another typical OZ adventure. This is one of my personal favorites. It's a strong contender in the OZ series in that you finally get the sense that Baum is starting to enjoy his imagination. This volume reads fast, like the first one. Another great surprise - the pages are all different colors! Books of Wonder (the only company with the gumption to do reprints of the original OZ books) has put together an amazing imitation of this multicolored page display. You can always tell which one is Road to OZ - it's the one that looks like a package of candy when you lie it on it's side. Also of note in this edition - it is in Road to OZ that Dorothy receives Ozma's magic belt - allowing her to wish herself to any spot she'd like to go...thus ending the problematic method of REACHING OZ at the beginning of every book. Now she can just...go there. Even Santa Claus makes an appearance in this story - also of note: this novel illustrates the first time anyone in OZ ever traveled by bubble. Polychrome gets sent home to the rainbow by bubble - you hear that, Glinda?
6) "THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ" (1910): Now this - is the hotness. Possibly in my top three OZ books of all time - this story is jam-packed with newness. Baum, finally resigned to his fate - unbridles his imagination and introduces SO much new stuff in this one - it's almost like you're getting a brand new OZ. The best part of this one (to me) is the fact that Aunt Em and Uncle Henry (staunch disbelievers in OZ) are finally brought to OZ to live, where they are celebrated and hailed as the ancestors of Dorothy. Now - for the most part, Dorothy is completely removed from Kansas. Her family lives in OZ now - she has a magic belt and absolutely no reason to ever return to the stupid regular world. New characters are introduced here: Miss Cuttenclips, General Guph, the Fuddles, the Rigamaroles - and three new neighboring kingdoms?! The Whimsies, The Growleywogs, and The Phanfasms. This volume broadens the OZ you thought you knew. Framed entirely around a conspiracy to invade and conquer the Emerald City - this book introduces a much larger spectrum to the OZ rainbow. I think that's one of the appealing factors to me. I could live happily thinking OZ was a real place. Imagining it's just one of MANY magical kingdoms for me to explore and inhabit...is just too seductive to explain. And as a side note - in my own defense - I have tried magic pictures, magic belts, silver and ruby shoes - I just can't manage to get to OZ. Next time we have a hurricane - I'm going out to sea in a flimsy canoe and searching for a whirlpool. It's the only option I have left at this point. I'm sure you understand. Another interesting tid-bit, the reason Baum framed this story with neighboring kingdoms was so that at the end he could place a magic bubble over the entire land of OZ and "hide" it from "mankind" forever. Sounds poetic and magical - but it was meant to END the OZ series. Get it? Now no one can find OZ - not even Baum! He struggled with OZ so much. He failed...the world wasn't about to let go of their favorite new stories. Deal with it, Baum and get to writing!
7) "THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ" (1913): A comfortable pause of three years followed The Emerald City of OZ. During the first seven OZ titles, you have to admire Baum for pressing forward with this project that he (vocally) disliked. I can almost relate to what this must have been like for him. His dream was to write voraciously, creating dozens of fantasy series for boys and girls. He wanted to write standalone novels, mysteries, plays - but nothing he wrote was successful unless it had OZ slapped on the cover. He was typecasted whether he liked it or not. Since he was the sole ruler of the land of OZ - the publishing world tolerated his lengthy breaks as long as it meant they would have a new title to pimp out. They gave him three years after The Emerald City to finish his next installment in OZ. Bear in mind, at this point - Baum was finished with OZ. His brain was tapped out - he didn't want to return he almost (gasp) hated OZ. Which is the single reason that The Patchwork Girl is my all-time number one favorite of the entire series. This volume has the introduction of two of my most favored characters: The Shaggy Man and The Patchwork Girl. Also on hand are Ojo, Unc Nunkie and The Glass Cat.
Baum, back on his game - was interviewed about how he created the OZ stories. I've always enjoyed this quote: "A lot of thought is required on one of these fairy tales. The odd characters are a sort of inspiration, liable to strike me at any time, but the plot and plan of adventures takes me considerable time...I live with it day by day, jotting down on odd slips of paper the various ideas that occur and in this way getting my materials together. The new OZ book is at this stage...But...it's a long way from being ready for the printer yet. I must rewrite it, stringing the incidents into consecutive order, elaborating the characters, etc. Then it's typewritten. Then it's rvised, retypewritten and sent on to Reilly and Britton." Later in this same letter, he goes on to explain the justification for the removal of the (ugh) original Chapter 21. Meat Babies!!! Nothing survived of this original chapter other than some of John R. Neill's drawings and a few captions by Baum. Imagining the events in The Patchwork Girl of OZ with the addition of Meat Babies growing in a field - ready to be plucked and eaten...would probably just make this book too great. I understand this decision and this novel remains my favorite.
As an extra bonus - Baum attempted to make a movie version of this, produced by his own home-grown studio. Hardcore fans know this. Hardcore fans own this on DVD. Psychofans own this on VHS. Some really sick, twisted people (ahem) own the original 16mm nitrate as well. I told you guys I had a problem ... what?
Please come back to see how the second half of Baum's stint as Royal Historian of OZ played out with Part Two of this celebration! Books 9-14 will get their turn at bat the day after tomorrow, so shine your shoes, polish your mirror and dust off your belt - just make sure you return to OZ.
Don't make me send Bellina after your ass...
There is nothing - absotively nothing - better than the Baum OZ series. The original fourteen published entries during his lifetime, what some refer to as Core-OZ, they have won a treasured slot in my black heart. I have studied OZ. I have memorized lengthy sections of OZ. I have taught classes on OZ. I live for OZ. Probably not the OZ you're thinking of - but one not too far away.
With the recent Disney flick starring James Franco - that will bring the eye of the world back onto these original fourteen novels, winning over yet another generation to the wonderful world of OZ. I've been a resident of OZ for (sigh) over thirty years now - and the thrill is undiminished, unwavering and every bit as powerful today as it was those many years ago when I first discovered those dusty paperbacks, neglected and forgotten in the children's section of the town library.
1) "THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ" (1900): It's almost hard to imagine a world without Oz. This is the singular beginning to the entire franchise - and there is very little I could say about this novel that hasn't already been said a thousand times. Every living creature on the planet has seen the 1939 Judy Garland/MGM musical version. Some lucky folks have even seen the Baum produced silent film (below) - but none of that matters when it comes to sitting down and actually reading this story. It's familiar yet slightly different. There are characters most people have never met (The Hungry Tiger) that go along with the same old walk down the yellow brick road in the quest for the Wicked Witch of the West. This was only the prelude to the symphony, however; over the next three years Baum would work tirelessly to try and license/market/hype this story in any possible venue (hence the silent film), including the Broadway musical. It distracted him and kept him busy and he still wasn't aware of just how big of a cash cow he had given birth to - and then, in 1903 he began writing the second installment, toying with the idea that this could even BE a series. This is the only OZ book that was illustrated by WW Denslow - giving it those iconic images you've all seen to death.
2) "THE MARVELOUS LAND OF OZ" (1904): Thank God for this installment - one of the best in that it introduces a KEY figure in OZ, the royal princess and rightful leader herself - Ozma! It also introduces a new illustrator that would work with Baum until the end (and later play a key figure in keeping the OZ canon alive), John R. Neill. The best part is H.M. Wogglebug, T.E - who is just such a fantastically ridiculous character, you have to meet him! The plot is centered around Tip and the witch Mombi as they fuss and fight. It's a very fast read as there is less backstory this time and Baum is eagerly leaping into OZ with both silver slipper-heels intact. The Gump makes his first appearance in this book. The plot of this novel ends with the discovery of Ozma and putting her on the throne - making way for the next book. Baum had figured he would continue his trend of aggressive marketing and shoot for a trilogy at this point. Fans of iffy-movies will know this story as half of the plot of Disney's Return To Oz, the remainder of the story (The Nome King) composes the bulk of ...
3) "OZMA OF OZ" (1907): After three years of waiting and watching his film ideas flop, his Broadway dreams flop - yet his book sales rising, Baum returned to OZ for his third. This time he had a beautiful royal figure to maintain balance so he could branch out - share with us new characters we've never met before, new neighboring countries like EV, and more importantly - Tik-Tok and Bellina. This novel is deceptively smaller than the others when you first look at it on the shelf. The reason for this is that it's the only OZ book that features full color art on both sides of the page - so every page is thinner. It's just as lengthy of a story as any other OZ book so don't let it fool you. It's also one of the best. I have a tattoo to prove it. For the first time, you get the sense that OZ is a much larger world than originally introduced to you in the previous two novels. This OZ is vast, encompassing many generations of citizens, neighboring countries, etc. Baum broadens the spectrum for the first time here, showing us that the four counties of OZ aren't all that he's going to be giving us. The sensation gives the reader a sensation close to what a crack-head must experience when the crack runs out. You...just...neeeeed more.
4) "DOROTHY AND THE WIZARD IN OZ" (1908): I just love how this one begins. I also love this one as it takes place almost completely underground - for the first time allowing us to imagine that OZ is not only magical on the surface - but underneath its soil as well. Published just a year after its predecessor, Baum knew what his life's calling was all about - and was in full control of his power as a storyteller when he returned for this fourth in the series. He reassures us from the title by announcing the return of two beloved characters - and puts them into a wild adventure. This is the beginning of the OZ series that has never been adapted in any fashion - so the only way to enjoy OZ from here on is with a book. The Mangaboos, Zeb the Horse, the six piglets - all are very beloved to me and once you get through this slim volume, you'll want to fall weightlessly down onto a vegetable kingdom, get arrested and battle Gargoyles, too! You laugh now...but just you wait...
5) "THE ROAD TO OZ" (1909): Polychrome, the rainbow's daughter. The Shaggy Man and Button Bright. Baum (still fussy about the success of OZ, he wanted to write many series set in various places but...the world wanted OZ) attempted to bridge the gap and infuse some of the characters from his other books into OZ. It worked! He brings back Dorothy and the crew sets off on another typical OZ adventure. This is one of my personal favorites. It's a strong contender in the OZ series in that you finally get the sense that Baum is starting to enjoy his imagination. This volume reads fast, like the first one. Another great surprise - the pages are all different colors! Books of Wonder (the only company with the gumption to do reprints of the original OZ books) has put together an amazing imitation of this multicolored page display. You can always tell which one is Road to OZ - it's the one that looks like a package of candy when you lie it on it's side. Also of note in this edition - it is in Road to OZ that Dorothy receives Ozma's magic belt - allowing her to wish herself to any spot she'd like to go...thus ending the problematic method of REACHING OZ at the beginning of every book. Now she can just...go there. Even Santa Claus makes an appearance in this story - also of note: this novel illustrates the first time anyone in OZ ever traveled by bubble. Polychrome gets sent home to the rainbow by bubble - you hear that, Glinda?
6) "THE EMERALD CITY OF OZ" (1910): Now this - is the hotness. Possibly in my top three OZ books of all time - this story is jam-packed with newness. Baum, finally resigned to his fate - unbridles his imagination and introduces SO much new stuff in this one - it's almost like you're getting a brand new OZ. The best part of this one (to me) is the fact that Aunt Em and Uncle Henry (staunch disbelievers in OZ) are finally brought to OZ to live, where they are celebrated and hailed as the ancestors of Dorothy. Now - for the most part, Dorothy is completely removed from Kansas. Her family lives in OZ now - she has a magic belt and absolutely no reason to ever return to the stupid regular world. New characters are introduced here: Miss Cuttenclips, General Guph, the Fuddles, the Rigamaroles - and three new neighboring kingdoms?! The Whimsies, The Growleywogs, and The Phanfasms. This volume broadens the OZ you thought you knew. Framed entirely around a conspiracy to invade and conquer the Emerald City - this book introduces a much larger spectrum to the OZ rainbow. I think that's one of the appealing factors to me. I could live happily thinking OZ was a real place. Imagining it's just one of MANY magical kingdoms for me to explore and inhabit...is just too seductive to explain. And as a side note - in my own defense - I have tried magic pictures, magic belts, silver and ruby shoes - I just can't manage to get to OZ. Next time we have a hurricane - I'm going out to sea in a flimsy canoe and searching for a whirlpool. It's the only option I have left at this point. I'm sure you understand. Another interesting tid-bit, the reason Baum framed this story with neighboring kingdoms was so that at the end he could place a magic bubble over the entire land of OZ and "hide" it from "mankind" forever. Sounds poetic and magical - but it was meant to END the OZ series. Get it? Now no one can find OZ - not even Baum! He struggled with OZ so much. He failed...the world wasn't about to let go of their favorite new stories. Deal with it, Baum and get to writing!
7) "THE PATCHWORK GIRL OF OZ" (1913): A comfortable pause of three years followed The Emerald City of OZ. During the first seven OZ titles, you have to admire Baum for pressing forward with this project that he (vocally) disliked. I can almost relate to what this must have been like for him. His dream was to write voraciously, creating dozens of fantasy series for boys and girls. He wanted to write standalone novels, mysteries, plays - but nothing he wrote was successful unless it had OZ slapped on the cover. He was typecasted whether he liked it or not. Since he was the sole ruler of the land of OZ - the publishing world tolerated his lengthy breaks as long as it meant they would have a new title to pimp out. They gave him three years after The Emerald City to finish his next installment in OZ. Bear in mind, at this point - Baum was finished with OZ. His brain was tapped out - he didn't want to return he almost (gasp) hated OZ. Which is the single reason that The Patchwork Girl is my all-time number one favorite of the entire series. This volume has the introduction of two of my most favored characters: The Shaggy Man and The Patchwork Girl. Also on hand are Ojo, Unc Nunkie and The Glass Cat. Baum, back on his game - was interviewed about how he created the OZ stories. I've always enjoyed this quote: "A lot of thought is required on one of these fairy tales. The odd characters are a sort of inspiration, liable to strike me at any time, but the plot and plan of adventures takes me considerable time...I live with it day by day, jotting down on odd slips of paper the various ideas that occur and in this way getting my materials together. The new OZ book is at this stage...But...it's a long way from being ready for the printer yet. I must rewrite it, stringing the incidents into consecutive order, elaborating the characters, etc. Then it's typewritten. Then it's rvised, retypewritten and sent on to Reilly and Britton." Later in this same letter, he goes on to explain the justification for the removal of the (ugh) original Chapter 21. Meat Babies!!! Nothing survived of this original chapter other than some of John R. Neill's drawings and a few captions by Baum. Imagining the events in The Patchwork Girl of OZ with the addition of Meat Babies growing in a field - ready to be plucked and eaten...would probably just make this book too great. I understand this decision and this novel remains my favorite.
As an extra bonus - Baum attempted to make a movie version of this, produced by his own home-grown studio. Hardcore fans know this. Hardcore fans own this on DVD. Psychofans own this on VHS. Some really sick, twisted people (ahem) own the original 16mm nitrate as well. I told you guys I had a problem ... what?
Please come back to see how the second half of Baum's stint as Royal Historian of OZ played out with Part Two of this celebration! Books 9-14 will get their turn at bat the day after tomorrow, so shine your shoes, polish your mirror and dust off your belt - just make sure you return to OZ.
Don't make me send Bellina after your ass...
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