Voices of Susan Conway, Larry D. Mann, Alfie Scopp, and Carl Banis
Directed by F.R Crawley, Thomas Glynn, and Larry Roemer
Music and Lyrics by Gene Forrell, Edward Thomas, and James Pollack
This started life as the second Videocraft TV show and the first in traditional animation, Tales of the Wizard of Oz. The series only ran for four months in 1961, but reruns proved to be strong enough for Videocraft to make a follow-up their first hour-long special. How does it look nowadays? Let's start with a little paper airplane as it soars through Kansas to a certainly little girl and find out...
The Story: That paper airplane delivers a message from Socrates the Scarecrow (Scopp) to Dorothy (Conway) inviting her back to Oz. She finds her silver slippers and is whisked away in another twister, this time while sitting in an apple tree. Glinda the Good Witch (Peggy Loder) explains to Dorothy that the letter was written by a revived Witch of the West (Mann) and all isn't as she claimed. She destroyed the Tin Man (Mann)'s heart, the Scarecrow's brains, and the Lion's (Banis) courage. The Wizard (Banas) once again sends them off to defeat the Witch and get their hearts' desires back...but he's not what he seems, either. The Witch has to get those silver shoes, or she'll lose her powers all together!
The Animation: If this doesn't look much like any other Rankin-Bass special, it was actually done by F.R Crawley's own studio and merely released by Videocraft. Very sketchy and limited, as per the animation on TV at the time. The backgrounds are often two colors and simple shapes; the characters move a bit stiffly. They do have some funny expressions on occasion, especially the Wizard and Witch. The odd teardrop-shaped Munchkins look more like the "Mr. and Mrs." characters from the little books that teach manners than the Munchkins in the books or any other adaptation.
The Song and Dance: In a way, this one is more important for the history than for the content. This is the first hour-long show made by Rankin-Bass, who would specialize in them from the mid-60's through the early 80's. At the least, it does have some interesting touches. Dorothy wears the silver slippers from the books (the ruby ones may be trademarked), and there's the occasional unique character or design like the flying alligators. We also get to see at least one sequence from the book that didn't make it into the 1939 movie, when the scarecrow has them remove his hay to hide from an enemy. And I have to admit, I like how Dorothy's friends are insinuated to have really earned what they wanted, instead of being given the objects representing them as in the film and book.
Favorite Number: The special opens and closes with Dorothy claiming how "I Wanna Go Back" to Oz, and then home to Kansas. "In the Wonderful Oz" is performed by a chorus over the beginning and end credits as they describe all the delights we're about to see. Dorothy sings about how the little people are "Munchkins, Naturally" when she arrives. The Tin Man laments how "I'm Heartless" when Dorothy runs across him. The Scarecrow tumbles and falls as he complains that "You Can't Build a Brain." They make fun of "Dandy the Lion" when he's obviously cowardly again.
The Wizard and Witch claim that "I am Better Than You" after she's captured him. When the Scarecrow claims no one has magic anymore, Dorothy counters with the ballad "Wonderful Magical Ways" that there's magic everywhere.
What I Don't Like: Can we say "rehash?" This is basically just a repeat of the original book with aspects of the 1939 film mashed in for good measure and the Witch outright attacking the Wizard. Apparently, the TV show this is based on had more unique stories. I have no idea why the Scarecrow and Tin Man are so nasty to the lion. In the book, they tease him about his cowardice on occasion, but here, they're downright mean. Dorothy does call them on it, but there's really no reason for it. It's also insinuated that the Wizard has real magic here, instead of being just a huckster. The animation is stiff and limited, the songs dull and unmemorable. (Bass would write better music himself for later specials with Rankin and Murray Laws.)
The Big Finale: This makes Filmation's 1972 attempt at an Oz sequel, Journey Back to Oz, look like a masterpiece by comparison. Only recommended for the most ardent Oz and Rankin-Bass fans.
Home Media: DVD is in print, but fairly expensive. You might be better streaming this one.
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