For the rest of the month of February, I would like to devote this time to highlight film adaptations we have in the collection. Today I’d like to start it all off with the modern day fairy tale The Wizard of Oz.
Many people might not be aware that the popular film is based off L. Frank Baum’s book, also entitled The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, which was published in 1900. For a copy of the Baum’s book, I would highly recommend checking out The Annotated Wizard of Oz which includes the original text with illustrations along with side notes on the text itself.
For more books on The Wizard of Oz, please check out:
I’m including a short clip of the Scarecrow singing, “If I only had a brain,” which is a little different than my normal trailer posting. I’m also going to apologize in advance for that earworm that will likely follow it.
If you’re a big fan of this classic, you might already know be aware of the newest film adaptation, or more specifically a prequel to the original, coming out March 8, 2013 called Oz The Great and Powerful. James Franco (127 Hours and The Rise of the Planet of the Apes) stars as Oz or Oscar Diggs (and not L. Frank Baum like one of our books suggests). Other talented actors cast are Michelle Williams, Rachel Weisz, and Mila Kunis. They all star are witches Oz meets after making his way into the magical Land of Oz. I’m including a preview of the newest adaptation below.