The Wizardry of Oz

Just when you thought you'd read everything there was to know about the 1939 classic film, "The Wizard of Oz," Jay Scarfone and Bill Stillman come up with a volume like this. The behind-the-scenes production drawings and notes and photographs are just incredible. These two men know their stuff, and it all comes together so well in this book. I cannot recommend it enough.

As Dorothy went down the yellow brick road to return to Kansas, these writers take us on a journey behind the scenes of this great movie classic. The journey takes us to all the talented people that made the production possible. Through their extensive researh and interviews we get to go behind the scenes and see the blue prints, make-up, costumes, set designs, special effects and so much more. It is full of pictures, many never before in print. You can hardly keep your eyes off the array of photos. This is a great book for those that love this great classic or anyone that enjoys the arts and theatre. The designers and cast went through tremendous changes to make this movie come to life. Today's tehnology would make their job much easier I am sure. I thank these writers for sharing their extensive research with us. L.Frank Baum wrote this wonderful story, MGM made it come to life and these authors showed us how it all happened.

Having been a fan of Judy Garland for over 30 years and the former secty. of THE JUDY GARLAND MEMORIAL CLUB, the movie THE WIZARD OF OZ holds a very special place in my heart. THE WIZARDRY OF OZ really seems to have the spirit of the film. Not only is it a highly interesting "read", but I found the photographs and art work in most cases to be new and refreshing. My favorite photo in the book is a wonderful shot of Judy and her stand in in costume on the set. This photo alone is worth the price of the book to any Garland fan. My hat off to Mr. Stillman and Mr. Scarfone. Charles Triplett, North Carolina

Authors Jay Scarfone and William Stillman have written a gorgeous new book celebrating the all-time film classic "The Wizard of Oz." Over the past few years it seemed that fans of the film had learned just about everything there was to learn about the making of "Oz" What a complete surprise and joyful discovery I made when peering into the cover of their newest book "The Wizardry of Oz." There are dozens and dozens of eye-popping pictures, relating the making of MGM's "Oz" through the eyes of the unsung heroes behind the scenes. Technicolor still-shots and blueprints galore fill the happy pages of one of the best books ever written about a film. How wonderful it is to get a fresh take on "Oz", not only through the pictures, but the text as well. Scarfone and Stillman give their readers information in a clear, consise format that leaves one wanting more. That said, not much is left out of the book. Believe this, coming from the ultimate "Oz" fan: you will learn facts about the film that were once thought to have disappeared forever. Now they return. And so, generations from now, future "Oz" fans and everyone else alike will have this information at their fingertips. How poignant it is to be able to thank those who went uncredited sixty- years ago. The book includes the most complete cast/credit list ever assembled for "The Wizard of Oz." Bravo! "The Wizardry of Oz", like the film itself, is a classic... Now and forever! Pick up a copy and enjoy one more trip back to a time when Hollywood was at its most creative and optimistic. With "The Wizardry of Oz", Scarfone and Stillman have become the true creative keepers of the "Oz" magic.

This release has added one more book to the voluminous amount of material that has been written since the filming of MGM's "The Wizard of Oz." This year marks 60 years since the release of Oz. At the conclusion of this year alone, no fewer than five new major book releases will have occurred on this topic. Each fills a particular niche of a timeless story being looked at again in the face of a new millennium.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 billion 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. Somewhere in that story is every human being that ever lived.As an original cast member of the 1939, MGM classic, I believed that I had at least a rudimentary appreciation for the sights, sounds, odors, and impressions of what Oz was 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 of Oz. The authors of this book have managed to take you to the nuts, bolts, and inner workings, and even 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 technical crews, camera men, 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 MGM 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 "Wizardry of Oz" did the same thing with their wizardry of 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. A goodly percentage of these photos have never been seen before.I cannot end this review without mentioning Rita Dubas who did the pictorial layout for the book. Rita Dubas also designed the shimmering jewel of Emerald City on the dust cover. There is a classy subtle hint of four of the main characters 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 this film today at 66 than I was