The Road to Oz: The Evolution, Creation, and Legacy of a Motion Picture Masterpiece

WINNER OF THE 2019 NATIONAL INDIE EXCELLENCE BOOK AWARD! The Road to Oz is a complete retelling of how The Wizard of Oz was influenced and created and attained its iconic status. This new volume by Jay Scarfone and William Stillman reflects 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 Baums 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 Goldwyns proposed (and aborted) 1934 Technicolor musical version of Oz starring Eddie Cantor (including commentary from Cantors 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 Garlands 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 Ozs fantasy sequence--the second role revealed for the first time in Scarfone and Stillmans text. The Munchkin midgets pre-1939 Wizard of Oz connection. Ozs film editor with a direct connection to Walt Disney and Snow White. Studio nepotism favoritism and politics at the height of Hollywoods golden age on the making of the worlds 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 "The Road to Oz not only delivers exciting previously unpublished information and insight but does so in an extremely well-cited format.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: Dorothys Return is based) and great-grandson of L. Frank Baum "Numerous books have celebrated the fan appeal of MGMs Wizard of Oz but theres 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 Disneys 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