I regret to announce that I will no longer be updating this page. There is WAY too much OZ news going on and my job doesn't allow the time that I need to investigate everything new and post it on my site.
So, I will do the next best thing and send you to the best website that I have found that deals with Oz news (Just be sure to come back to my page when you're done! ;o) )
NEWS!
January 2,2000
I know I said that I wasn't going to update this page any more, but I found a piece of news that I felt like I should pass on to other Oz fans. The last day of the century was a sad day for all of us Oz fans, because we lost one of the few remaining cast members of the classic movie. Please read the following:
From the L.A. Times -- Friday, December 31, 1999
Harry Monty; Munchkin in 'Wizard of Oz'
By MYRNA OLIVER, Times Staff Writer
Harry Monty, one of the last surviving Munchkins from the classic 1939 film "The Wizard of Oz," has died. He was 95.
Monty, whose real name was Hymie Lichenstein, died Tuesday in Beverly Hills.
A physically capable stunt man, Monty was also one of the flying monkeys in the landmark "Oz," which starred Judy Garland. He considered his role as a Munchkin the most memorable of his half-century on stage and in front of the camera.
Born in Dallas to Polish immigrants, Monty grew to be one of the "Little People" and parlayed his short stature into a long career in show business. He began in vaudeville and appeared in motion pictures from the late 1930s to the late 1970s, often uncredited. With or without billing on his films, Monty, according to Steven Cox in his book "The Munchkins of Oz," made "a great contribution to the motion picture industry."
Monty also had frequent roles on television, whenever an actor or stuntman of his size was required by a certain script. He appeared in such popular series as "Bonanza," "Lost in Space," "Bewitched" and the children's program "H.R. Pufnstuf."
Among Monty's films were a version of "Swiss Family Robinson," the 1954 "River of No Return" starring Robert Mitchum and Marilyn Monroe, "Three Ring Circus," "The Court Jester," "Planet of the Apes" with Charlton Heston and Roddy McDowall, "Hello, Dolly!" with Barbra Streisand, "Papillon" with Steve McQueen and Dustin Hoffman, and "The Lord of the Rings."
The diminutive actor is survived by five nieces and three nephews.
After private family services, Monty will be buried near his native Dallas.
I have been searching many different websites for anything happening in the world of OZ. There are also lots of OZ happenings right in front of me. Here is what I've found so far.....
March 18,1999
I am happy to announce that our fiesta on April 17th will be having a very special guest. Meinhardt Rabbe, who played the coroner in MGM's movie, will be coming to speak and to sign autographs. Besides trivia, crafts, vendors, collectors, and a costume parade, the 2nd Annual Wizard of Oz fiesta of New England will be a grand success!
February 2, 1999
I just got some more information about the Wizard of Oz Fiesta of New England. Bob tells me it's going to be at the Wallace Civic Center and Planetarium in Fitchburg, MA. "We will be watching the movie on te ceiling of the planetarium. It is Ozsome!" Thanks, Bob, for the additional info. For more, scroll down the page!
January 29, 1999
There is a new comic book series based on the works of Lewis Carroll, C.S. Lewis and Frank Baum! It's called THE WONDERLANDERS and features a more modern-adventure look at these classic stories in comic book format. The story answers the questions "what happened to Alice and Dorothy when they grew up" and "what if the magical worlds they visited came to our world?" Check out the website devoted to this comic and let them know what you think of it!
Read all about it and see some of the cool artwork:
Oktomica Entertainment THE WONDERLANDERS DEBUTS IN JANUARY 1999!
Robert Collinge recently announced that he is now making plans for his 2nd Annual Wizard of Oz Fiesta of New England. It will be on Saturday, April 17th, from 10:00am to 4:00pm, in Fitchburg, MA. Bob needs some ideas, and would appreciate anyone writing to him with any thoughts you might have for this great event. Or, if you would like to help him out with bringing it all to life, or just want to attend the Fiesta, please email him at BobofOz@prodigy.net
January 29, 1999
The Franklin Mint Spring preview catalog is featuring a set of eight Wizard of Oz heirloom dolls for sale. The catalog has a cover highlighting four of the dolls, Dorothy and her three friends. On pages 38-41 of the catalog, these four dolls and four others, The Wicked Witch, Glinda, Auntie Em, and the Wizard are featured in full color with complete descriptions and ordering information. The dolls range in size from 17-22 inches tall. The price for each is 5 monthly installments of $39.00. For more information contact: The Franklin Mint, Franklin Center, PA 19091-0001, Phone: 1-800-843-6468. If nothing else, call just to get a copy of this terrific catalog.
January 29, 1999
The Kansas State Lottery is now offering a Wizard of Oz instant lottery ticket. The ticket has Dorothy and her friends on the Yellow Brick Road with Glinda and the Wicked Witch of the West in the bottom left and right hand corners respectively. The tickets are retailing for $3.00 each. Lucky winners can win up to $30,000.00 instantly. Tickets are being sold in Kansas wherever lottery sales are held. You can see a picture of these tickets here! After accessing this page, click on Wizard of Oz to bring up the page with a picture of the ticket in full color! This won't be here forever, so be sure to check it out soon!
January 29th, 1999
'Jeopardy!' had another OZ reference. A sponsor of the show is "OZ Balloons". Alex made this comment about them: 'The only problem with them is they always take you to Kansas.'
January 22nd, 1999
'Jeopardy!' had a question about L. Frank Baum.
January 10th, 1999
"Garfield" had an OZ reference in the Sunday Comics today.
If you have any news about OZ, please share it with me. I will be happy to add any, and all, information that you pass my way! Write to me at e_fuller1@hotmail.com