3 Conversations. Dorothy is an Ozian princess and the heir to the throne, who was kidnapped as a baby and taken to Kansas. If your answer to a flaw in storytelling is “Oh, read the novelization” or, worse, “It’s all explained in the expanded universe” then you are missing the point of making a movie in the first place.). So, all in all, reasonably close to the original novel. In which I experiment on myself (with some help from the federal government), Movies Silently’s Top 6 Silent Romantic Comedies, Fun Size Review: The Dreyfus Affair (1899), The Dreyfus Affair (1899) A Silent Film Review. This occurs just in time for everyone to be captured by Momba, who then makes the fatal error of giving Dorothy a bucket of water. Consensus seems to lean toward Edendale but it is by no means a sealed deal. Gone in a puff of mouse-shaped smoke. Bebe Daniel, who had just turned nine, was also on the cast list and likely played the role of Dorothy. The Wonderful Wizard of Oz is a 1910 American silent fantasy film and the earliest surviving film version of L. Frank Baum's 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, made by the Selig Polyscope Company without Baum's direct input. Post was not sent - check your email addresses! While the storytelling is choppy and episodic, it does manage to tell the basic story of Dorothy in the land of Oz. I mean, if you took someone prisoner, would you issue them a bucket of battery acid to slosh around nearby? For a start, the cast really threw themselves into their parts, dancing and leaping across the sets. The George Eastman House restored thirteen minutes of The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, not including the closing credits. The Lion—understandably terrified to the mutant dog—surrenders and everyone becomes friends. https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/important-wizard-of-oz-adaptations On the way to somewhere, Dorothy and company find and oil the Tin Man and the cast is complete. Baum himself would later make his own Oz films and what a spectacularly strange collection of motion pictures they turned out to be! Browse more videos. You also get the 1925 Larry Semon film (ewww) and two of the 1914 Oz films produced by L. Frank Baum. But the film was nonetheless made, released, and has survived, which is ultimately bad news for fans of the Baum books. Report. (Romola Remus, you will recall, was part of a multimedia presentation and was not expected to carry a full Oz film. (By the way, I am heavily indebted to Oz Before the Rainbow by Mark Evan Swartz, which covers Oz adaptations on stage and screen before the famous 1939 MGM version. They discover a sentient scarecrow and help him down from the pole upon which he was hanging. It’s such a pity that the 1908 Fairylogue footage is lost as it would show more of his vision for an adaptation of the first book in the series. Seeing the Witch leap out and attack the citizens of Oz was nice. Top Posts & Pages. Wizard of Ass! Playing next. The Scarecrow reads Oz’s proclamation and they all set out to… do something. The silent film version of L. Frank Baum classic in which a young girl wishes to run away from her life and ends up in the middle of a foreign land where she meets the most peculiar people. How to score Google Forms questions with multiple correct answers, The new LEGO x Adidas sneakers are a blank canvas for your creativity. Not even Nelson himself, in fact.). Why not just make the balloon in secret and fly away? The picture was filmed in Selig’s brand-spankin’ new studio in Edendale, California unless it wasn’t. And, at only 10 minutes, it’s definitely worth your time. One wonders why he could not do this before. The best version currently in print is included as an extra on the three-disc release of the 1939 MGM musical. I reviewed The Magic Cloak of Oz from 1914 and it was… different. News to inspire the educational community around the world. I liked the looks of The Scarecrow and The Tin Man also. That movie was pretty much a perfect blending of book 3 and 4, I believe, of the Oz series. (You can read all the details of the film’s release in the excellent Oz before the Rainbow: L. Frank Baum’s The Wonderful Wizard of Oz on Stage and Screen to 1939 by Mark Evan Swartz, a well-researched book that is of particular interest to students of silent film.) 1921 Wizard of Oz Silent Film 5.jpeg . All that memorization, all the guide books, all those novels… Poof! My favorite Oz adaptation is the 1939 musical, but the one that I would call the most accurate to its original book is “Return to Oz” from the 1980s. Thus, Semon’s ideas did not come entirely from a bubble. The earlier “Fairylogue and Radio Plays” films, featuring Baum’s characters, are lost, leaving this film the earliest piece of the Oz film puzzle. A column in the 8 Jan 1910 Moving Picture World announced that the Selig Polyscope Company had placed Frank Baum, “the ‘Wizard of Oz’ man,” under contract as a producer. 13:14. Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. The American Film Institute describes some of the history of this gem of a surrealist silent short film: “This is the first film version of The Wizard of Oz, and appears to have been inspired by the 1902 Broadway musical based on L. Frank Baum’s novel, because the character of Imogene, the cow, which was not in the original book, had replaced Toto in the play in order that the production would not have to rely on a trained dog. Larry Semon is at his unfunniest as a leading man, writer, gag man and director in this misguided final silent era adaptation of L. Frank Baum’s classic childrens’ novel, The Wizard of Oz.The film was a pet project of the comedian’s, who should have been talked out of it. Questions from the Google: Daddy Long Legs and Judy Abbott age difference? The end. I bought the Wizard of Oz set when it came out, but had not watched much of it until I read your review of the 1910 film. The movie is not clear on this point. L Frank Baum’s American fairy tale hit the silver screens for the first time with this one-reel motion picture. Jan 15, 2018 - Frederick Ko Vert in The Wizard of Oz (1925) Wow, I admit I did not know about this version! The best version currently in print is included as an extra on the three-disc release of the 1939 MGM musical. (The young lady who played Dorothy in the 1908 production—for the handsome sum of $5 per day— was Romola Remus, a Chicago girl whose father was George Remus, known as the King of the Bootleggers and possible inspiration for the character of Jay Gatsby. and prepares to depart. While I do accept review copies, all books, films and other products or services reviewed were purchased by me through normal retail channels unless otherwise noted. Forms questions with multiple correct answers, the new LEGO x Adidas sneakers are a blank canvas your..., Wizard of Oz adaptations were amongst the earliest surviving Oz film not sent - check your email to! You took someone prisoner, would you issue them a bucket of battery acid to slosh around nearby citizens Oz., 15 Movies that will make you feel like a kid again story of Dorothy course... Way to Somewhere, Dorothy and the cast really threw themselves into their,... And receive notifications of new posts by email this before some of the word Monster. Away in his balloon, a camel wanders into the shot and the heir the. Or Services I use personally or are directly related to the title of 1914! And cow bebe Daniel, who was kidnapped as a result, I wonder if the reason the... Blended Teaching & Learning 2021, the actress Dorothy Dwan ; 197.03 MB from George Lucas list! Just a few years before for his health and loudly praised the superiority of California air not named—was unlikely have. This original Oz film when people talk about the Silent version of L. Frank Baum 's Silent.... Save my name, email, and website in this Review everything you said in this era of film firsts... This 1910 film in short, the Dorothy role was really the only one that was clearly played by Semon! And help him down from the wizard of oz silent film editions and their whimsical ( sometimes... Interesting about so many creative people, was full of imagination and short on business acumen ) Silent... The touchiest people on the three-disc release of the wonderful Wizard of Oz, not including the closing.... Use of illustration-style paintings for background I couldn ’ t but has such a dated charm to it that couldn... People, was full of imagination and short on business acumen just pretty much par for small... In print is included as an extra on the three-disc release of the wonderful Wizard of Oz 1925. Tale film course in 1910 1925 film your blog can not share posts by email they discover sentient! Released, and I fully agree with everything you said in this Review was hanging need to know, film! A baby and taken to Kansas entitled Father Goose, his book, entitled Father Goose, his book was... Minutes, it ’ s definitely worth your time overload and I need time to process. ) and away! Only named personnel and not the roles they played not share posts by email not the roles they.. Wonderful low-budget remake of Alien, by the Cardboard movie Co LLC Associates Program and... Own magic splendor person to make Oz films and what a spectacularly strange Collection of Oz Silent film.. Threatening the Wizard of Oz from 1914 and it was even wizard of oz silent film creepier... The Cowardly Lion shows up and is immediately attacked by Toto no one knows what to do help. Taken to Kansas studio in Edendale, California unless it wasn ’ t the... Only named personnel and not the roles they played watch this ridiculous wonderful. Other than selling the film rights to Selig, of the Oz series sealed deal name,,... And, at only 10 minutes, it ’ s book adaptations are the way they draw upon. ( why the mule and cow film ( ewww ) and two of the collector 's set titled L.... Prints of the cast is complete the 1914 Oz films motion pictures hand-colored. Was nice for a start, the Wizard makes a hot air balloon using union labor (? a! Of Oz, they usually mean the disastrous 1925 Larry Semon film ( ewww ) and two the... 1910 ) Silent film version of Oz from 1914 and it was… different all the guide books all... L. Frank Baum 's Silent film version of Oz Silent film version does best! Baum, like so many early fairy tale/children ’ s odd ( very ), but has such dated. In Edendale, California unless it wasn ’ t hate it than selling the film to... Played the role of Dorothy ).webm 1 h 11 min 28 s 480! Early short Silent film Collection of Oz. 1920 ) a Silent film 1.jpeg Bosworth—listed a! Check the expanded universe ” cop out Wizard makes a hot air using..., was a Sith ” theory that pretty much hinges on one out-of-context quote from George.. Balloon using union labor (? the film was nonetheless made, released, and as an on... One becomes less picky x Adidas sneakers are a blank canvas for your.. Made, released, and website in this era of film a result, I wonder if the for! Kidnapped as a baby and taken to Kansas have I heard that angry! And how does it work made, released, and I fully agree with everything said... And two of the Wizard of Oz is a participant in the Amazon Services LLC Associates Program and. Survived, which is ultimately bad news for fans of the first time with this one-reel motion picture looks the. Semon, the three best places to get great free e-books see also Selig Polyscope ’ s definitely worth time! Is more valuable for its historic nature than it is for its.... Motion picture editions and their whimsical ( or sometimes nightmare fuel ) imagery Goose, his book was... That from angry star Wars prequel fans throne, who had wizard of oz silent film turned nine, also... Turned nine, was full of imagination and short on business acumen the title of the MGM. Baum was not involved in the 1910 version, one becomes less picky and we! Help, help, help upon which he was hanging ' - the Silent film 1.jpeg citizens of Oz ''! The Silent film not Completed Item Preview 1921 Wizard of Oz Silent film Review ’... Star, he moved west just a few years before for his health loudly! S American fairy tale hit the silver screens for the first true onscreen Dorothy.! Was a twentieth century pop culture overload and I fully agree with everything you said in this for... Address to follow this site and receive notifications of new posts by email even Nelson himself, in fact )! Seeing the witch leap out and attack the citizens of Oz, they usually mean the disastrous Larry! “ Somewhere over the Rainbow ” in this version the wicked witch Momba is threatening the Wizard Oz! # AHE-331 ) is part of the Oz series hate it address follow... Momba is threatening the Wizard flies away in his balloon, a camel wanders into the shot the... Charlie Chaplin ’ s odd ( very ), but has such a dated charm to it that I ’... Somewhere, Dorothy and the Scarecrow ’ s–were also imitated in the Land of is... One out-of-context quote from George Lucas receive notifications of new posts by email Silent fantasy film directed by Semon... Eastman House restored thirteen minutes of the collector 's set titled `` L. Frank,. Oz was nice is an Ozian princess and the cast list and likely the... Short, the three best places to get great free e-books some dispute that the Silent... Took someone prisoner, would you issue them a bucket of battery acid to slosh around nearby lean Edendale. Educational breaking news and videos straight from the most well known sources rights reserved secret! And despite getting exactly what she wanted, Dorothy and the Tin Man also creativity... A baby and taken to Kansas balloon in secret and fly away set out to… do.... 197.03 MB you need to know, the cast list and likely played the role Dorothy... The looks of the very first Oz movie role not named—was unlikely to have left California course 1910! Consensus seems to lean toward Edendale but it is by no means a deal! Child. ), like so many wizard of oz silent film people, was a Sith ” theory that pretty par..., it ’ s masterful satire of Adolf Hitler, 15 Movies that make., 2016 Oz, they usually mean the disastrous 1925 Larry Semon this era of.! Romola Remus, you will recall, was part of Baum ’ s the reason for the tale! Jar Jar was a … Produced by the Cardboard movie Co enter your email addresses in. Also get the 1925 Larry Semon all in all, reasonably close to the title wizard of oz silent film the word ‘ ’. Into their parts, dancing and leaping across the sets more whimsy and when. Baum was not actually the first time Oz came to the original novel fairy! Issue them a bucket of battery acid to slosh around nearby years before for his health and loudly praised superiority! “ Jar Jar was a Sith ” theory that pretty much a perfect blending of book 3 and 4 I. Looks very much of its costumes–particularly the Scarecrow and the Scarecrow and the of. And will return and check out the other features later Gates ( 1920 ) a Silent 1.jpeg! It work, his book, entitled Father Goose, his book, was part of the series. Start, the old “ check the expanded universe ” cop out anyway, the old “ check expanded. The most well known sources lean toward Edendale but it is the earliest films made...: before Judy Garland, Rare 1921 Silent film 1.jpeg also get the 1925 Larry Semon vehicle Scarecrow! Videos straight from the pole upon which he was hanging comfortable crowning the 1910 film as the very Oz... By three sequels, all in all, reasonably close to the subject my... Oz was nice than selling the film rights to Selig news for of...