The Road to Oz

The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece

Jay Scarfone and William Stillman

The Road to Oz is a complete retelling of how The Wizard of Oz was influenced and created, and attained its iconic status. The new volume by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman will reflect recent research and much more through newly discovered period interviews, media resources of the era, transcriptions and unique contemporary interviews with those who were there. Additionally, never-before-published imagery accompanies the text. In its truth and candor, this new historical contribution is ideal to tie-in with the 2018-19 80th anniversary of the 1939 movie.
Tantalizing highlights of the text include:
· A thorough synopsis of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and the script, inspired by the book, of the 1903 Broadway musical-comedy extravaganza.
· An overview of the plots of prior silent film adaptations of Oz and how they influenced the M-G-M film.
· An analysis of newly-discovered audio transcriptions of Wizard of Oz radio programs from 1931-32 and 1937-38—all of which were previously unknown.
· A complete accounting of Sam Goldwyn’s proposed (and aborted) 1934 Technicolor musical version of Oz starring Eddie Cantor (including commentary from Cantor’s sole surviving child).
· A thorough analysis of the October 10, 1938 M-G-M shooting script (provided by descendants of comedian and Cowardly Lion actor Bert Lahr) that predates the beginning of production by seventy-two hours.
· Startling revelations about the operetta that seemingly inspired “Over the Rainbow.”
· Judy Garland’s trials and tribulations with the studio, including the threat that M-G-M was grooming a sound-alike who tested for Oz.
· The supporting player who was cast in two roles in Oz’s fantasy sequence—the second role revealed for the first time in Scarfone and Stillman’s text.
· The Munchkin midgets’ pre-1939 Wizard of Oz connection.
· Oz’s film editor with a direct connection to Walt Disney and Snow White.
· Studio nepotism, favoritism and politics at the height of Hollywood’s golden age on the making of the world’s most famous film.

“The Road to Oz not only delivers exciting, previously unpublished information and insight, but does so in an extremely well-cited format. This is absolutely a must-have for any Oz fan or film historian.” —Sean Barrett, theatrical/film producer and artistic director, Land of Oz, North Carolina

“A new and wonderful book penned by the foremost Oz movie history authors. This is a must-read for all old and new Oz fans worldwide.” —Roger S. Baum, author of Dorothy of Oz (on which the film Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is based) and great-grandson of L. Frank Baum

“Numerous books have celebrated the fan appeal of MGM’s Wizard of Oz, but there’s far more to this story than nostalgia. Scarfone and Stillman delve deep into the history of this landmark film, exploring its place in the pantheon of classic fantasy films, as well as fascinating details of production. The Road to Oz is an important addition to the film-history bookshelf.” —J.B. Kaufman, film historian and author of The Fairest One of All: The Making of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

“The Road to Oz is a gamechanger in the world of motion picture history books. Long considered the leading authorities on the making of The Wizard of Oz, Scarfone and Stillman have crafted decades of extensive research into a new and unparalleled historical recalling of the classic film.” —Randy L. Schmidt, editor of Judy Garland on Judy Garland: Interviews and Encounters and author of Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter

Globe Pequot / Lyons Press

Pages: 392 • Trim: 7½ x 10¼

978-1-4930-3629-5 • Hardback • October 2018 • $27.95 • (£18.95)

978-1-4930-4283-8 • Paperback • August 2019 • $21.95 • (£14.95)

978-1-4930-3532-8 • eBook • October 2018 • $20.50 • (£13.95)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Reference, History / United States / General

The Road to Oz

The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece

Hardback

Paperback

eBook

Summary

The Road to Oz is a complete retelling of how The Wizard of Oz was influenced and created, and attained its iconic status. The new volume by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman will reflect recent research and much more through newly discovered period interviews, media resources of the era, transcriptions and unique contemporary interviews with those who were there. Additionally, never-before-published imagery accompanies the text. In its truth and candor, this new historical contribution is ideal to tie-in with the 2018-19 80th anniversary of the 1939 movie.
Tantalizing highlights of the text include:
· A thorough synopsis of L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz (1900) and the script, inspired by the book, of the 1903 Broadway musical-comedy extravaganza.
· An overview of the plots of prior silent film adaptations of Oz and how they influenced the M-G-M film.
· An analysis of newly-discovered audio transcriptions of Wizard of Oz radio programs from 1931-32 and 1937-38—all of which were previously unknown.
· A complete accounting of Sam Goldwyn’s proposed (and aborted) 1934 Technicolor musical version of Oz starring Eddie Cantor (including commentary from Cantor’s sole surviving child).
· A thorough analysis of the October 10, 1938 M-G-M shooting script (provided by descendants of comedian and Cowardly Lion actor Bert Lahr) that predates the beginning of production by seventy-two hours.
· Startling revelations about the operetta that seemingly inspired “Over the Rainbow.”
· Judy Garland’s trials and tribulations with the studio, including the threat that M-G-M was grooming a sound-alike who tested for Oz.
· The supporting player who was cast in two roles in Oz’s fantasy sequence—the second role revealed for the first time in Scarfone and Stillman’s text.
· The Munchkin midgets’ pre-1939 Wizard of Oz connection.
· Oz’s film editor with a direct connection to Walt Disney and Snow White.
· Studio nepotism, favoritism and politics at the height of Hollywood’s golden age on the making of the world’s most famous film.

“The Road to Oz not only delivers exciting, previously unpublished information and insight, but does so in an extremely well-cited format. This is absolutely a must-have for any Oz fan or film historian.” —Sean Barrett, theatrical/film producer and artistic director, Land of Oz, North Carolina

“A new and wonderful book penned by the foremost Oz movie history authors. This is a must-read for all old and new Oz fans worldwide.” —Roger S. Baum, author of Dorothy of Oz (on which the film Legends of Oz: Dorothy’s Return is based) and great-grandson of L. Frank Baum

“Numerous books have celebrated the fan appeal of MGM’s Wizard of Oz, but there’s far more to this story than nostalgia. Scarfone and Stillman delve deep into the history of this landmark film, exploring its place in the pantheon of classic fantasy films, as well as fascinating details of production. The Road to Oz is an important addition to the film-history bookshelf.” —J.B. Kaufman, film historian and author of The Fairest One of All: The Making of Walt Disney’s Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs

“The Road to Oz is a gamechanger in the world of motion picture history books. Long considered the leading authorities on the making of The Wizard of Oz, Scarfone and Stillman have crafted decades of extensive research into a new and unparalleled historical recalling of the classic film.” —Randy L. Schmidt, editor of Judy Garland on Judy Garland: Interviews and Encounters and author of Little Girl Blue: The Life of Karen Carpenter

Details

Globe Pequot / Lyons Press

Pages: 392 • Trim: 7½ x 10¼

978-1-4930-3629-5 • Hardback • October 2018 • $27.95 • (£18.95)

978-1-4930-4283-8 • Paperback • August 2019 • $21.95 • (£14.95)

978-1-4930-3532-8 • eBook • October 2018 • $20.50 • (£13.95)

Subjects: Performing Arts / Reference, History / United States / General

Author

Jay Scarfone and William Stillman are the authors of several books on the creation of the motion picture The Wizard of Oz. Historians and collectors since the 1970s, they have amassed one of the world’s largest and most comprehensive archives of memorabilia from The Wizard of Oz, the holdings of which include rare photographic images and authentic costumes and props from the film’s production. Additionally, they have been contributors and advisors to countless other books, periodicals, and documentaries on Hollywood history, memorabilia, and collectibles. They have appraised rare Wizard of Oz material for auction houses and have lectured audiences about the classic film in numerous venues. They live in Pennsylvania.

Reviews

"In their excellent new collaboration, authors Jay Scarfone and William Stillman return to a thesis begun in their equally excellent "The Wizard of Oz: The Official 75th Anniversary Companion"...regarding [producer Mervyn] LeRoy's being "The Little Engine That Could" who brought "Oz" to the screen."

-- Book Reviews by David Marshall James
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"A new book takes us back down the Yellow Brick Road and uncovers untold tales about "The Wizard of Oz." William Stillman and his writing partner, Jay Scarfone, cover all the backstage drama..."

--"Closer" magazine
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"Judy Garland’s iconic “The Wizard of Oz,” gets the behind-the-scenes treatment in “The Road To Oz,” written by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman (Lyons Press), two serious Oz collectors whose illustrations include some wonderful on-set photos." --Kenneth Turan, "Critic's Choice," Los Angeles Times
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"Genuinely absorbing...The Road to Oz encourages one to watch MGM’s crowning achievement yet again—only this time, with a renewed appreciation of the inspired artistry, pursuit of excellence, and sheer toil that went into the making of everybody’s favorite movie." --The Baum Bugle, journal of the International Wizard of Oz Club
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The Road to Oz

The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece

Jay Scarfone and William Stillman

The Road to Oz

The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece

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