Chances are, you have seen MGM’s iconic 1939 musical film The Wizard of Oz at least once, if not several times. Based on the first of fourteen Oz books written by L. Frank Baum, this classic movie is undoubtedly the most famous adaptation of his work¹. However, Baum’s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard of Oz has also spawned numerous other adaptations on stage and screen². In celebration of The Wizard of Oz’s 85th anniversary, and the upcoming release of Wicked’s film adaptation, let’s follow the Yellow Brick Road on a journey through the magical land of Oz.
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
One of the most iconic films ever produced, this MGM musical classic stars Judy Garland as Dorothy, alongside Ray Bolger as the Scarecrow, Bert Lahr as the Brooklyn-accented Cowardly Lion, Jack Haley as the Tin Man, and Frank Morgan as the titular character³. In his 1996 review of the film, Roger Ebert wrote that the film’s switch from old-timey black and white to color upon Dorothy’s arrival in Oz especially resonated with audiences in 1939, when color films were still a novelty⁴. Meanwhile, the film’s glorious Old Hollywood style of special effects, memorable songs including “Somewhere Over the Rainbow” and “If I Only Had a Brain,” and the actors’ laid-back performance style have contributed to its appeal through the decades⁴. Although it lost the Best Picture Oscar to another MGM classic, Gone with the Wind¹, The Wizard of Oz nevertheless won two Academy Awards⁵ and became an iconic American film, which it remains 85 years after its original release¹.
Wicked (2003)
Based on Gregory Maguire’s 1995 novel Wicked: Life and Times of the Wicked Witch of the West, this musical prequel to The Wizard of Oz made its Broadway debut at the Gershwin Theatre for a preview run on October 8, 2003, before officially opening on October 30 that year¹³. Telling the story of Elphaba, the misunderstood Wicked Witch of the West, and her unlikely friendship with Glinda, the Good Witch of the North, the musical became an instant success despite some initial skepticism from critics¹⁴. Audiences not only loved the catchy, soul-stirring music and spectacular production, but its core themes of acceptance, friendship, and standing up for oneself as well¹⁴. It should not come as a surprise, then, that Wicked has remained a Broadway favorite, celebrating its 20th anniversary last year¹³.
Wicked also holds a special place in our hearts at NYFA because our own Kristy Cates, director of the Musical Theatre program at NYFA New York, starred as Elphaba not only on Broadway, but also in the Chicago production and on the musical’s first national tour. In short, Wicked has left audiences spellbound for over two decades and continues to enchant them today.
Kristy Cates, chair of NYFA’s Musical Theatre program, as Elphaba in the musical, Wicked.
Return to Oz (1964)
Produced by Crawley Films for Videocraft International, later renamed Rankin/Bass Productions, this made-for-TV animated film is a sequel to both the original book and the 1939 film⁶. In Return to Oz, Dorothy reunites with her friends the Scarecrow, Tin Man, and Cowardly Lion (named Socrates, Rusty, and Dandy Lion in the special) ⁶. When the Wicked Witch of the West returns to life and subsequently robs Socrates, Rusty, and Dandy of their brain, heart, and courage, respectively, Dorothy is once again transported to the land of Oz⁶. Here, she must team up with her friends and restore the gifts given to them⁶. Although largely forgotten since its 1964 debut, Return to Oz is a lighthearted animated romp for kids and adults alike.
Journey Back to Oz (1972)
Much like Return to Oz eight years earlier, the 1972 animated film Journey Back to Oz is a sequel to the iconic 1939 movie⁵. In a fitting tribute to her mother, Judy Garland’s daughter Liza Minnelli stars as the voice of Dorothy⁵. Meanwhile, Margaret Hamilton voiced Auntie Em thirty-three years after her infamous performance as the Wicked Witch of the West⁷. Other veteran actors including Milton Berle, Mickey Rooney, Danny Thomas, Paul Lynde, and Ethel Merman brought their trademark charisma, class, and nostalgia to the film, making a must-watch for any fans of these legendary performers⁷. Delivering their lines with the humor and verve befitting their backgrounds in vaudeville, Broadway, and Hollywood’s golden era, the voice cast lend a magical touch to the film’s journey through the already magical land of Oz⁷.
Not to be overlooked, Sammy Cahn and Jimmy Van Heusen’s score – including twelve original songs⁶ – is rich and theatrical, even if not as instantly iconic as the 1939 film’s soundtrack⁷. In summary, despite a few continuity snarls and animation errors⁷, Journey Back to Oz is a fun, heartwarming tale guaranteed to delight audiences both young and old.
The Wiz (1978)
Based on the hit Broadway musical of the same name, The Wiz reimagines Baum’s classic story with an all-star African American cast². Diana Ross stars as Dorothy in this adaptation, joined by a young Michael Jackson as the Scarecrow, Nipsey Russell as the Tin Man, Ted Ross as the Lion, and legendary comedian Richard Pryor as the title character⁸. In a departure from the source material, the story opens in 1970s Harlem, New York City, rather than on a farm in Kansas⁸. Other sets featured in the film suggest a variety of NYC locales, from Coney Island to subway stations and school playgrounds⁸. Meanwhile, Ross’s Dorothy is a 24-year-old teacher instead of the young farm girl depicted in the books and 1939 film⁸. Additionally, The Wiz features more than twenty memorable songs, all with a distinct Motown flair⁹. The lively costumes and spectacular special effects also add to the film’s appeal⁸. By taking a slick, lively, and fun approach to a beloved tale⁸, The Wiz quickly gained a legion of loyal fans, and remains a favorite more than 45 years after its silver screen debut.
Return to Oz (1985)
Released during Disney’s 1980s attempt to diversify beyond its trademark family films, Return to Oz is a follow-up to the original books and a loose sequel to the 1939 film¹⁰. Unlike its predecessor, Return to Oz adapts the source material in a darker, scarier fashion¹¹. The film starts six months after the MGM musical, with Dorothy (played by Fairuza Baik) still dreaming about her adventures in Oz¹⁰. However, her Auntie Em and Uncle Henry misinterpret these dreams as her dissociation from reality¹⁰. They then visit a Victorian-era mental hospital, where Dorothy is given electroshock therapy and transported back to Oz¹⁰. Dorothy finds Oz in shambles, with the Yellow Brick Road and Emerald City mere ruins of their former selves¹¹. Joined by two new companions, Jack the Pumpkinhead and a wind-up man named Tik-Tok, Dorothy must defeat the Nome King and a new witch – Mombi – to return Oz to its former glory¹¹. Although Disney’s Return to Oz lacks the songs and timeless charm of its predecessor, the film’s special effects – a combination of animatronics, Claymation, and puppetry – create a more elaborate depiction of Oz than the one shown in the 1939 musical¹¹. Meanwhile, despite mixed reviews from critics and a poor box-office performance¹⁰, Return to Oz was nominated for an Academy Award in 1986¹². If you are a fan of dark fantasy films like Labyrinth and The Dark Crystal, as well as an Oz aficionado, then Return to Oz is for you.
The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz (2005)
This charming television movie modernizes the classic story and adds plenty of Muppet antics but otherwise remains faithful to both Baum’s original novel and the 1939 film⁵. Kermit the Frog plays the Scarecrow in this adaptation, with Miss Piggy as all three Witches⁵. The Great Gonzo appears as the Tin Thing (replacing the Tin Man) and Fozzie the Cowardly Bear replaces the Cowardly Lion⁵. The film’s human cast is equally star-studded, including singer Ashanti as Dorothy, plus David Alan Grier, Jeffrey Tambor, Queen Latifah, and Quentin Tarantino⁵. Although nowhere nearly as iconic as the 1939 MGM musical, The Muppets’ Wizard of Oz is a comedic romp sure to please young and old alike.
Tin Man (2007)
A spiritual successor to both Oz books and the 1939 film, this three-episode miniseries puts a futuristic spin on Baum’s iconic tale¹⁵. Tin Man stars Zooey Deschanel as D.G., a waitress, part-time student, and descendant of Dorothy Gale from the original story¹⁵. Instead of the Wicked Witch of the West, D.G. must battle the sorceress Azkadellia with help from her three friends¹⁵. D.G.’s friends are also given expanded backstories in this adaptation. For example, Glitch (played by Alan Cumming) is a former royal advisor who once had his head removed, replacing the Scarecrow in the series¹⁵. Meanwhile, the Cowardly Lion is replaced with a psychic empath named Raw (Raoul Max Trujillo)¹⁵. Furthermore, the titular character – played by Neal McDonough – is a former police officer repeatedly forced to rewatch his family’s destruction while trapped in an iron suit¹⁵. The three-part miniseries won 14 awards¹⁵, including a Primetime Emmy in 2008¹⁶. In summary, Tin Man blazes its own futuristic path down the Yellow Brick Road, entertaining audiences with its steampunk-inspired, sci-fi spin on the classic tale.
Oz the Great and Powerful (2013)
A prequel to both Baum’s novel and the iconic 1939 MGM musical, this film stars James Franco as circus magician Oscar Diggs, who magically finds himself transported from Kansas to the land of Oz¹⁷. Upon his arrival in Oz, Diggs is set on finding fame and fortune, thinking they are ripe for his taking¹⁷. However, he quickly meets three witches – played by Mila Kunis, Rachel Weisz, and Michelle Williams – who convince Oscar that he is unfit to become the Wizard of Oz¹⁷. Oscar then transforms from a slick, selfish entertainer into the great and powerful wizard¹⁸. Additionally, while Oz the Great and Powerful lacks the memorable songs and timeless appeal of its predecessor, its advanced special effects and subtle homages to the original (including a switch from old-fashioned black and white to color, plus a shift from the Academy picture ratio to modern CinemaScope) make it a worthy prequel¹⁸. In short, Oz the Great and Powerful is a must-watch for any Oz fan.
Wicked (2024)
Based on the award-winning Broadway musical of the same name, the silver-screen adaptation of Wicked stars Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba and Ariana Grande as Glinda¹⁶. Jeff Goldblum appears as the Wizard of Oz, while Michelle Yeoh, Ethan Slater, Marissa Bode, and Bowen Yang add to the film’s all-star cast¹⁹. Like the Broadway show, the film version of Wicked follows Elphaba through a series of life events, wherein she becomes known as the Wicked Witch of the West¹⁹. Set for theatrical release on November 22, Wicked is a can’t-miss film event for Oz fans.
With seemingly countless adaptations in film, television, and musical theatre through the years, The Wizard of Oz has stood the test of time since Baum’s first Oz novel was published nearly a century and a quarter ago. Whether you are drawn to the timeless charm of the 1939 MGM musical film, The Wiz’s memorable songs, or the friendship-driven narrative and over-the-top theatrics of Wicked, there is an adaptation of the classic story for everyone.
Study at NYFA
If you are an aspiring storyteller passionate about the art of musical theatre like Kristy Cates, or you enjoy bringing stories to life on film, consider one of NYFA’s many academic programs. We offer degree programs, certificates, and workshops in a variety of disciplines, including acting for film, cinematography, filmmaking, producing, screenwriting, 3D animation and special effects, and more. No matter which program you select, you will learn the fundamentals of your chosen discipline in a hands-on setting. To learn more about NYFA’s academic programs, click here!
Sources:
¹National Endowment for the Humanities. “Oz: America’s Fairy Tale” by Laura Wolff Scanlan. Retrieved from https://www.neh.gov/article/oz-americas-fairy-tale.
²ScreenRant. “The Wizard Of Oz Adaptations, Ranked by IMDB” by Christian Silvia. Retrieved from https://screenrant.com/the-wizard-of-oz-adaptations-ranked-by-imdb/.
³Roger Ebert. “The Wizard of Oz movie review (1939) | Roger Ebert.” Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/great-movie-the-wizard-of-oz-1939.
⁴IMDb. “The Wizard of Oz (1939) – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0032138/.
⁵Broadway World. “THE WIZARD OF OZ Adaptations and Spin-Offs to Watch Before WICKED: A Guide” by Josh Sharpe. Retrieved from https://www.broadwayworld.com/article/THE-WIZARD-OF-OZ-Adaptations-and-Spin-Offs-to-Watch-Before-WICKED-A-Guide-20241004.
⁶IMDb. “Return to Oz (TV Movie 1964) – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0057453/.
⁷OZ Museum. “Three Titles, One Film: Return to/The Land of/Journey Back to Oz! – – Part Three” by John Fricke. Retrieved from https://ozmuseum.com/blogs/news/25747588-three-titles-one-film-return-to-the-land-of-journey-back-to-oz-part-three.
⁸Roger Ebert. “The Wiz movie review & film summary (1978).” Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/the-wiz-1978.
⁹ScreenRant. “10 Main Differences Between The Wiz and The Wizard of Oz” by Moon Abbott. Retrieved from https://screenrant.com/wizard-of-oz-wiz-differences/.
¹⁰SlashFilm. “Revisiting ‘Return to Oz,’ Disney’s Sequel-To-A-Classic That Haunted Our Nightmares” by Rafael Motamayor. Retrieved from https://www.slashfilm.com/572355/return-to-oz-revisited/.
¹¹Empire. “‘Return to Oz’ Review” by Ian Nathan. Retrieved from https://www.empireonline.com/movies/reviews/return-oz-review/.
¹²IMDb. “Return to Oz (1985) – Awards – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0089908/awards/?ref_=tt_awd.
¹³New York Theatre Guide. “A timeline of ‘Wicked’ on Broadway and beyond” by Joe Dziemianowicz. Retrieved from https://www.newyorktheatreguide.com/theatre-news/news/a-timeline-of-wicked-on-broadway-and-beyond.
¹⁴The Broadway Collection. “The Evolution of Wicked: From Novel to Broadway Sensation.” Retrieved from https://www.broadwaycollection.com/news-features/the-evolution-of-wicked-from-novel-to-broadway-sensation.
¹⁵IMDb. “Tin Man (TV Mini Series 2007) – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910812/?ref_=ttep_ov.
¹⁶IMDb. “Tin Man (TV Mini Series 2007) – Awards – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0910812/awards/?ref_=tt_awd.
¹⁷Rotten Tomatoes. “Oz the Great and Powerful | Rotten Tomatoes.” Retrieved from
¹⁸Roger Ebert. “Wicked or wussy: which witch is worse?” by Richard Roeper. Retrieved from https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/oz-the-great-and-powerful-2013.
¹⁹IMDb. “Wicked (2024) – IMDb.” Retrieved from https://www.imdb.com/title/tt1262426/.