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Post by Rodak on Feb 4, 2006 5:06:34 GMT -5
Dollar stores is interestink. Looky what I found: I know we have 2 movies topics already, but come on... 2 volumes of classic 1914 Silent Film adaptations of L Frank Baum Oz Novels!!! That deserves it's own thread. Hollywood ruined the original story. As an example: The Emerald City was not Green in the books. The Wizard was a madman who made everyone wear Emerald colored glasses so they would all think it was green. If I recall correctly, he told everyone that the glasses would save them from going mad at the sight of so gloruious a city. Anyway... The second feature is an adaptation of His Majesty The Scarecrow of Oz (yes, there were many books) and was Directed by L. Frank Baum Himself!!!!!!I had no idea these existed and look forward to posting a review after I watch them. I just thought you all should know these exist. Peace. |
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Post by Shattered Rift on Feb 4, 2006 18:03:50 GMT -5
I'm not a big fan of silent movies, but after recently having a chance to rewatch the most well known movie (I'm pretty sure the majority of the populace isn't even aware that there was a movie called Return to Oz (erm, that was the correct title, right?)), I was reminded of all the inconsistencies I'd read in the book years ago. (I own the fourteen books written by L. Frank Baum, while my brother owns those, in addition to the following thirty-six that are apparently considered as well to be part of the series).
His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz and The Magic Cloak Oz weren't books, though... I think I can assume the first is based upon The Land of Oz, but the latter... I can't off-hand recall anything in the books written by L. Frank Baum that ever mentioned a cloak.
In any case, it's an incredible find, Rodak.
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Post by Rodak on Feb 5, 2006 4:10:54 GMT -5
His Majesty the Scarecrow of Oz and The Magic Cloak Oz weren't books, though... I think I can assume the first is based upon The Land of Oz, but the latter... I can't off-hand recall anything in the books written by L. Frank Baum that ever mentioned a cloak. I'm decades removed from my Baum days. I just assumed His Majesty was one of his books since Baum had a hand in directing it. Either way, that one is a legitimate Baum Oz story because of that. Thanks for pointing that out. Here is a mini review of the first one: I have just watched the first of these. I MUST read Baum again. It was entirely unlike the Hollywood travesty, but I am not sure how faithful to L Frank they were. The first thing that struck me was the music. I watch a lot of old silent stuff. I like Chaplin, Keaton, and some of the classic horror like Cabinet of Doctor Caligari (If you find it, and are old enough, check out Caligari; an adult themed 90's remake/sequel about his Great Granddaughter who is running an insane asylum with a big sign out front reading "Better Living Through Chemistry"). Phantom of the Opera, Nosferatu, and more, make this genre well worth checking out. I enjoy seeing (hearing) the music they choose to place on the audio track. I always seek versions with original scores (the theaters had pianists and organists... and often pianos and organs to go with them). This starts off with Kalimba music! Then switches between piano and kalimba. Weird, even by my standards. The story is told Slapstick, and that seems fitting. All in all, it was far superior to Judy's version. I have only watched the first movie, and there are four. I'll hold a more complete review for after I see them all. But I can say that for a dollar (or two), you can not go wrong! Has anyone seen Eric Shanower's Oz Graphic Novels? They Beautiful. Peace. |
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Post by Rodak on Feb 28, 2006 12:33:52 GMT -5
I am bumping this because I finally got around to watching His Majesty, The Scarecrow of Oz.
This was AMAZING![/i][/u]
First off, it was written and directed by L Frank Baum Himself! Nobody knows Oz better than it's creator!
It was a truly surreal experience!
Great early special effects like Mombi, the Wicked Witch, pulling out Princess Gloria's Heart and freezing it, then putting it back (so she would not love Pon, the Gardener) at the demand of King Krewel because he wanted her to marry Googly Goo and she refused.
Mombi summons several other witches and they transform into fair maidens for more plot twists.
The Tin Woodsman gets to cut off Mombi's head! But she just fumbles around for it, then puts it back on.
Great costumes, more of that bizarre soundtrack, and a clean print made this an enjoyable film.
It can be had cheaply, so get out there and find it!
Peace.
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