The Wizard of Oz is a 1990 American animated series produced by DIC Animation City to capitalize on the popularity of the 1939 film version, to which DiC had acquired the rights from Turner Entertainment Co. The series aired for thirteen episodes and premiered on ABC, starting on September 8, 1990. The show presented a number of stories and characters from L. Frank Baum's original Oz series.

Author Jeff Lenburg mentioned an aspect of the series wherein Dorothy has to learn to believe in herself.

In the series, Dorothy uses the ruby slippers to return to Oz. She learns that the winged monkeys have already resurrected the Wicked Witch of the West, who has conquered the Emerald City. The Wizard is trapped with a spell involving a never-ending wind, and Dorothy has to rescue him.

Despite using the slippers to return to Oz, in the episodes, Dorothy is not entirely sure how the slippers work. Glinda often tells Dorothy to only use the slippers as a last resort. In one episode, Dorothy clicks her heels four times, as if each click is more powerful than the last. Aside from the pilot, generally when the slippers are used, they do not always help in the best way.

Plot Dorothy has decided to return to Oz with Toto, by using the ruby slippers that showed up on her doorstep. She invokes her return by clicking her heels and reciting "There is no place like Oz". Upon arriving there, she reunites with Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.

Dorothy learns from Glinda that the Wicked Witch of the West has been resurrected by Truckle and his fellow winged monkeys. With the Wicked Witch of the West back from the dead, the Emerald City has been taken over by her and she has stolen the gifts that were given to Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion.

The Wizard is in his hot air balloon, which is under a spell that causes it to be constantly blown around by an evil wind. Dorothy, Toto, Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion set out to rescue him and defeat the Wicked Witch once and for all.

Cast Principal voice actors Liz Georges – Dorothy Gale David Lodge – Scarecrow Hal Rayle – Tin Man Charlie Adler – Cowardly Lion Frank Welker – Toto, Hyena (ep. 6), Truckle Tress MacNeille – Wicked Witch of the West, Miranda (ep. 10) B. J. Ward – Glinda Alan Oppenheimer – Wizard of Oz

Additional voices Jack Angel Hamilton Camp Pat Fraley Bibi Osterwald Rob Paulsen Ken Sansom Susan Silo – Munchkin Mayor (ep. 1)

Crew Susan Blu – voice director Ginny McSwain – casting director

Comparison with source material The series incorporated music and visual elements from the 1939 film version, including the Scarecrow's diploma and Dorothy's ruby slippers. At the same time, the character of Dorothy was designed with an appearance similar to that of Princess Ariel from Disney's The Little Mermaid and was not intended to resemble Judy Garland. In the film, it is largely implied that Oz was a head-trauma-induced delirium,L. Frank Baum, The Annotated Wizard of Oz, edited by Michael Patrick Hearn, New York, Crown, 1976; p. 96. . instead of a real place, while in the TV series (as in the book), it was a real land.

Film soundtrack Two elements from the film appear in the opening theme: When the Winged Monkeys ressurect the Witch, the latter's and Miss Gulch's theme is heard in the background. When the team says "We're off to save the wizard", an instrumental version of "We're Off to See the Wizard" is played.

Episodes

International and re-airings After its run on ABC, the series reaired on Bohbot Entertainment's Amazin' Adventures block from 1992 to 1993, Disney Channel from 1991 to 1992, Toon Disney from the channel's launch in 1998 until 2002 and on HBO from 1995 to 1996.

In Canada, the series aired on YTV from 1990 to 1995.

Home media United States "The Marvelous Milkmaid of Mechanica" has never been released in the United States in any home video format. "The Lion that Squeaked" is available only on VHS.

ReleaseFormatEpisodesDistributorRelease date The Rescue of Oz VHSThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part IThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part II Turner Home Entertainment 1991 Danger in a Strange LandTime TownThe Day the Music Died We're Off to Save the WizardUpside DowntownA Star is Gone Ruby Slipper Slip UpThe Lion that SqueakedA Star is Gone FearlessFearless Buena Vista Home Video 1994 Crystal ClearCrystal Clear The Rescue of the Emerald City Part IThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part I The Rescue of the Emerald City Part IIThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part II Rescue of the Emerald City VHS/DVDThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part IThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part IIThe Day the Music Died (DVD only) Lions Gate Home EntertainmentTrimark Home Video April 23, 2002 The Continuing Story Time TownWe're not in Kansas AnymoreCrystal ClearFearless (DVD only) Sterling Entertainment Group September 2, 2003 We're Off to Save the Wizard!Hot AirA Star is GoneUpside DowntownDream a Little Dream (DVD only) September 5, 2005

International United Kingdom ReleaseFormatEpisodesDistributorRelease date The Wizard of Oz - Volume 1 VHS/DVDThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part IThe Rescue of the Emerald City Part IICrystal ClearFearless Anchor Bay UK 2004 The Wizard of Oz - Volume 2 DVDThe Marvelous Milkmaid Of MechanicaThe Lion That SqueakedA Star is GoneHot AirThe Wizard of Oz - Volume 1A Star is GoneDream a Little Dream Avenue Entertainment 2005 The Wizard of Oz - Volume 2We're Not in Kansas AnymoreTime Town

See also Adaptations of The Wizard of Oz

References

External links