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THE WIZARDRY OF OZ
The Artistry and Magic of the 1939 Jay Scarfone and William Stillman
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| Oz has become an Icon of the day. Frank Baum's story of an Over the Rainbow fairy tale has turned into a modern day cult of tens of thousands who are collectors of facts, trivia and memorabilia. Did you know that some five million people have seen The Wizard of Oz? This book is for everyone who has seen the film and come away feeling alive, enriched, and even in love with the story and the people who brought it to life on the motion picture screen. Somewhere in that story is every human being that ever lived. As a member of the original cast of the 1939 M-G-M classic, I believed that I had at least a rudimentary appreciation for the sights, sounds, odors, and impressions of what Oz is all about. Well, at least from a child's point of view. After reading this book, Oz has my full attention. This book has taken me lovingly, by the hand, and introduced me to the complicated but captivating worlds of the creation of the motion picture Oz. The authors of this book have managed to take you to the nuts, bolts, and inner workings, and the mores of the film capital of the world in 1939. They take you through the birth, growth, maturation, and the finished stages of this transcendent creation. The techniques used by the crews, cameramen, the make-up artists, set designers, and sound engineers were so avant-garde in 1939 that this film, more than any other film, has stood the test of time and newer technologies. Yet with all the entertaining information, the authors have shown us why The Wizard of Oz has become the forever classic. The wizards of M-G-M managed to get us down the Yellow Brick Road without their technology shouting at us or in any way interfering with the story. The authors of the Wizard of Oz did the same thing with their wizardry or words by not interfering with the charm of the book. It is chocked-full of great information and hundreds of artfully presented pictures, many in full color. Many of these photos have never been seen before. I can not end this review without mentioning Rita Dubas who did the pictorial layout for the book. She is an artistic mechanic of extraordinary talent. Rita Dubas also designed the shimmering jewel on the dust cover. There is a classy subtle hint of the fabulous "four" in the background. She did a superb job. Ray Bolger, when asked about this film said; . . .all of the people connected with (Oz) will be remembered as a part of the one beautiful moment captured on film . . . This book is not only for the collectors and the Oz historians. Because of this book, I am more in love with Oz today at 68 than I was at age six. If you only read one book a year, then this must be the one! This book is a keeper. ISBN: 0-517-20333-2
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