The Wizard of Oz: The Official 50th Anniversary Pictorial History

by John Fricke, William Stillman, Jay Scarfone

A commemorative volume offers the definitive pictorial history of one of the most popular movies of all time

Genres: Nonfiction, History, Film, Music

245 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1989

Reviews

[Anthony McGill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Probably nobody knows more about 'The Wizard of Oz' than John Fricke.
In this spectacular tribute, Fricke along with his co-authors Jay Scarfone and William Stillman has created what must be the ultimate tribute to the film. Unlimited paraphernalia including more than 400 illustrations (at least half in full color) grace this beautiful book which was published on the 50th. anniversary of the film's release in 1939.
Can't think of anything the authors have missed. Includes the evolution of Oz from its legendary beginnings as a children's book to its celebrated success as one of the best and most loved films Hollywood ever produced.
Exhaustive research includes make-up and costume portraits, rare photographs from the first two weeks of filming, stills and script pages of musical numbers which were filmed but cut from the release print, Technicolor test frames, exclusive behind-the-scenes and production stills, the painstaking casting process, publicity campaigns with an awesome collection of posters, lobby cards, book covers, records and personality profiles, the glitzy premiere of the movie in Hollywood and New York, the success of the film abroad including a fabulous display of foreign-language posters and an overall study of Oz as a cornerstone of American popular folklore.

[Jim · Rating 3 out of 5]

One of my all-time favorite movies. I can't remember when I first saw it, on television, but I loved it. And this book is a great combination of history, anecdote, and visuals that will please any fan of the movie. Almost as if a fanatic, dedicated collector decided to give you a tour of their private collection and spent time detailing the provenance and background as they showed their things. Lots of stills.

[MLP · Rating 4 out of 5]

I wanted to learn more about the history of Wizard of Oz after seeing Wicked the movie. Honestly, this was so insanely detailed, serious props to John Fricke for being so detail oriented in writing this. A true Ozian and historian!

[Leah · Rating 3 out of 5]

I love the movie Wizard of Oz. I loved it when I was a child and I love it to this day. It was very interesting to read about the making of the movie and about the response it received. But it was also a bit tedious to read all the lists dates and names.

[Annie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This WONDERFUL book is a must have for every fan of the Wizard of Oz.
Illustrated with wonderful photographs and loads of fun facts about the making of this beloved classic film for viewers both young and old.
First read this in a library(lost count how many times I borrowed it and read it).
Booksellers were constantly out of stock at the time (at the time of the 50th anniversary) I wanted to buy it. It's that popular! ;)
And have finally got my very own copy!
I give this book five emerald stars! :)
Been reading this WONDERFUL book again whilst I write this review. :)

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a huge Wizard of Oz fan, both the book series and the movie.

I received this book as a gift and was very excited to read and look at it.

Overall, I thought it was great. There was not a lot of new information presented in the book, but it was a very nice way to honor the 50th anniversary.

It is also nice to have all of the fabulous pictures in one single book.

[-`ˏ jenn ˎ´˗ · Rating 5 out of 5]

I grew up loving The Wizard of Oz and Judy Garland (thanks to my grandparents) and it still to this day gives me the same feeling of overwhelming magic and happiness. This is such a great book to own, even if you think you know everything there is to know about Oz.

[E.H. Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Everyone’s seen the movie The Wizard of Oz. If you particularly liked the movie, maybe you’ve dressed up as a character for Halloween or named your dog Toto. If you particularly loved the movie, you’ll want this book.

For absolute die-hard fans, this Anniversary Edition takes readers backstage to the adaptation, casting, filming, and promotion of the iconic 1939 film. Be prepared; if you’re not completely interested in learning every detail and seeing photograph after photograph of Judy Garland’s hairstyles, you might get a little bored. But if seeing photographs of post-production notes from the studio, dozens of marketing illustrations, and stills from everyone’s costume tests—yes, everyone—sounds like a wonderful afternoon to you, then by all means, head on over to your local used bookstore (this was published in 1989) and pick up a copy. Be sure to go straight home after your purchase, though. You know what Dorothy said about home. . .

http://hottoastyrag.weebly.com/the-wi...

[Starboookk Athina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ένα βιβλίο αφιερωμένο στην ταινία Ο μάγος του Οζ που κυκλοφόρησε το 1939. Το βιβλίο εκδόθηκε το 1989 στην επέτειο των 50 χρόνων από την πρώτη προβολή.
Έχει 245 σελίδες γεμάτες φωτογραφίες από τα παρασκήνια, την ταινία, το make-up, τις οντισιόν. Επίσης περιλαμβάνει φωτογραφίες από αντικείμενα συλλεκτικά και αφίσες της εποχής για την προώθηση της ταινίας.

[Sally · Rating 5 out of 5]

It’s an amazing achievement. Anything you might want to know about the making of the movie or the marketing of it is here, as well as lots of reviews from all over the country. Lots of pictures, both color and black and white. Also information about reissues of the movie, its showings on television, and how some of the performers helped celebrate the movie’s history.

[Stephen Chase · Rating 5 out of 5]

LOL, so motherfucking funny!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[Kaitlyn O · Rating 4 out of 5]

So cool to go behind the scenes of my favorite movie

[Jessica Anderson · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed how detailed this was, between all of the pictures that were included and how each step of the film's creation was elaborated upon

[Diane · Rating 5 out of 5]

I've loved the 1939 movie The Wizard of Oz since I was a child. It's one of the few movies that I could watch again and again. This book (now over 30 years old itself) was a fun read. The three authors are all Oz experts and collectors so the book is full of terrific pictures and a a great deal of trivia. It was enjoyable to reminisce with this.

[Brian Saul · Rating 4 out of 5]

Even though this is not the particular book I was looking for (there is one that is even more complete and much larger), this made for fun, light, VERY interesting reading on a topic we all know about yet most know so little of when on behind-the-scenes and in preparation for this classic movie. Yes, some data and video clips have seen the light of day elsewhere, but here it is well-assembled into an anniversary collection, well-illustrated in black-and-white as well as color pictures, script clips, promotional materials, and numerous personal accounts from Margaret Hamilton to Meinhardt Raabe.
I guess it's because I enjoy PROCESS so much that this book appeals to me.
they aired "The Wizard of Oz" (again?!) on Christmas Day, which inspired me to look for the anniversary book in the public library that next week. Though I'd been up late the night before to see the New Year in, I stayed up late again finishing this one off with no regrets.

[Cws]

791.43

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

Took me back to my childhood and Christmas in particular.

[Danni · Rating 3 out of 5]

fun.

[Ashli · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5