] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JUNE 30 - JULY 1, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 21:04:00 -0700 From: Barbara Johnson Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 Feminism and Oz: I'm probably wrong, but I recall reading somewhere (probably not on the Digest) that _Land_ aside, Baum actually had feminist leanings. Did I dream this? L. Frank Baum absolutely, positively had feminist leanings.. I am fortunate enough to have received a Humanities Council grant to read and report on Baum's Aberdeen newspaper.. The Saturday Evening Pioneer.. and will be making a full report at the L. Frank Baum/Oz Festival in August here in Aberdeen. To wet your whistle... Baum advocated women lawyers.. and journalists.. said they would do a better job then men... He also covered women's suffrage issues very completely as his mother in law.. Matilda J. Gage was very active in the Woman's movement of the 19th century. Today I was reading in Baum's paper of the first meeting of the more liberal group Matilda founded after her split with the mainstream group of the day... fascinating... both men and women officers of the new group.... but.. women held the top positions.. I'll try to keep this list posted on the feminist writings.. as well as anything else anyone might be interested in as my study progresses. I am reading every issue completely... from Cover to cover... Most are running about 8 pages... and are chock full of very, very interesting material. Barbara Johnson -- Barbara Johnson, Ph.D. barbarajohnson@midco.net 511 South Arch Street Aberdeen, South Dakota 605-229-5988 ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 02:22:24 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 Ruth Berman: I can think of no one else more deserving of receiving the L. Frank Baum Memorial Award. Congratulations, Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 22:32:13 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones MGM: I have also heard that it's coming out on the big screen. This will either settle the myth of the hanging man once and for all or spread it even more than it already is. John Bell: I take that you mean Dorothy returning to Oz from elsewhere by natural means. _Road_: I'd consider the Sand Boat to be natural. At least, it was propelled by wind and Shaggy steered it. Johnny Dooit may have used magic to build it. Are you differentiating between Ozzy magic and magic in general? That's the only other non-magical means I can think of that Dorothy used to return to Oz. Magic permeates the Oz books, and very little is done without it, especially the Magic Belt and/or the Wizard's black bag. Jeremy: You did not dream. Baum was very sensitive to women's rights. Scott: It's amazing to think that there are some people who deny even the physical existence of Jesus. There's a ton of evidence (not even counting the bible). The same goes for Buddha, although I can't see anybody denying his existence either. Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 23:09:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 John: Dorothy returns to Oz from Hollywood by using Wish Way sand, doesn't she? (L.King) Mind is blocked. That's all that pops in right now. After she lives in Oz, there's no logical reason for her to return in any nonmagical way, actually, unless she's gone without any magic or for such a short time that no one's missed her. David: <> Oh. Uh, o.k. Scott:<> Fred has mentioned to me that he thinks Melody is a good writer. I can not imagine his putting her writing skills down, and I doubt seriously that he did so. As for the other, he's a purist, that's all. Oh, and the Getty Museum is in the L.A. area, right on a cliff overlooking the beach. --Robin, who's leaving for the Winkie coast this Wednesday!!! Oregon first, for spending time with family, then slowly down to Monterey with stops at Crater Lake, the redwoods, Ashland's Shakespeare Festival, and who knows what else. Hey, I'm ready for adventure! ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 29 Jun 1998 22:33:29 +0000 From: Christopher Straughn Subject: Ozzy Artist Comments: Authenticated sender is Does anyone know if Dick Martin is still alive? I seem to remember hearing that he was dead at one time and alive at a later time. If he's still alive, he'd definitely be my top choice for the Centennial Book Contest. If not, I'd like to see Kramer (if he's alive). I disliked Kramer's 1st Oz book, but in the second one he really found his own style. I've really got to catch up with who's dead and who's alive. Chris Straughn Bonan Tagon! ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 08:25:56 +0000 From: Craig Noble Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 Atticus and the rest of y'all: I want confirm that I too still exist, albeit as a lurker lately. Craig Noble ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 08:45:23 -0500 (EST) From: better living through chemistry Subject: RE: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 Thanks for the tips about L.A. I had a *wonderful* trip and enjoyed visiting the area. I saw several Oz books on bookstore shelves, but prices were amazing. Cheers, Scott ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 10:32:33 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 J.l.: >Not a trivia question, but a topic the digest's experts can help me with: >WIZARD is the only Baum book in which Dorothy arrives in Oz without any >help from magic originating within that country. (In two books she arrives >on Ozma's carpet; in three Ozma is using the Magic Belt.) How many other >books meet that criterion? > In ROYAL BOOK Dorothy returns via a Silver Island umbrella, right? And in >WISHING HORSE, Bitty Bit's tower brings her back. What else? Let's see. In KABUMPO she returns by Glegg's Oz magic; in LOST KING by the magic sand from Wish Way in Oz; in OZOPLANING by the Wizard's Ozoplane (and some of his kit bag of magic); ah! in MAGICAL MIMICS she returns via Ozana's swans, who weren't Oz magic. I think those are the only times she left Oz after Baum's books. (I assume we're only talking the FF here?) >In dating MERRY GO ROUND we also have to consider Robin S. Brown's >time-frame. He comes from an America with Cub Scouts, rocket-car rides, >model airplanes, and foster families. I don't know just how early rocket-car rides were around, but the other aspects all certainly date back at least to the 1930s, and I'd be rather surprised if rocket-car rides weren't as well. (I know they were by the mid-'40s, and I don't think they were building new rides during the war.) So while MGR is probably later than most of the Thompson books, it's not necessarily later than all of them, or any of the Neill or subsequent ones. > Indeed, the treatment of orphans in the Oz books nicely tracks American >social policy. In 1900 Dorothy was shown as having been sent to distant >relatives; in 1923 Bobby is in an orphanage; and in 1963 Robin is with a >foster family. [And in Dave Hulan's GLASS CAT, the orphans are back with >distant relatives.] An uncle and aunt aren't what I'd call "distant" relatives; they're as close as you can get genetically other than parents and siblings (and children, but we're talking about guardians of orphans). Speedy also lives with his uncle, and Peter with his grandfather (equivalent closeness of relationship). Jenny Jump is apparently an orphan who lives alone (though she's a teen-ager when she's still in the US), and Bucky is on his uncle's tugboat and seems to live with him, though it's never explicit that he's an orphan. He never mentions missing his parents, anyhow. So living with relatives who aren't parents seems to be the usual practice for orphans throughout the Oz series, with Bobby and Robin being exceptions. (And, of course, it's been the usual practice in this country throughout history; orphanages and foster families have been for orphans who don't have relatives able and willing to take them in.) >[One odd bit of aging: Chick the Cherub is clearly said to have grown >up to (wo)manhood at the end of JOHN DOUGH yet is as young as ever in >ROAD.] Fluff's growing up and marrying is also mentioned at the end of ZIXI, but in ROAD she's still a child, FWIW. Dick: >I rather thought Percy to be her best character! I think Percy in _Hidden Valley_ is a character most people either like or dislike a lot; he's hard to be neutral about. I disliked him, myself. He's much more palatable in _Wicked Witch_ and the short story in one of the _Oz Story Magazines_. Scott H.: >I was looking on Alta Vista for stuff on _Zardoz_ and found an essay >claiming that millions of people have an imaginary friend--Jesus. He >denies that there ever was a historical figure whose teachings gave rise >to Christianity. No one forces you to belive in the ressurection, but if >you don't believe Jesus ever existed, you're really demonstrating your own >ignorance for history. The existence of Abraham is debated by historians, >but I don't believe the existence of Jesus has any debate among them. _Au contraire_. It's undoubtedly a minority viewpoint, but there are scholars who seriously question the existence of Jesus, at least as anything resembling the character depicted in the Gospels. There were undoubtedly plenty of people named "Yehoshuah" living in Palestine in the early first century - it's a common Hebrew name - and one or more of them might well have been the leader of a group of dissident Jews. But there's no contemporary documentation of such a person surviving, only the words of people writing a generation later who are already part of an organized religious sect. The rapid growth of that sect leads to a strong inference that the person it centers around was indeed a real and highly charismatic person, which is why denying it is a minority viewpoint, but the direct evidence isn't conclusive. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 10:24:33 -0700 (PDT) From: VoVat Quetzalcoatlus Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 X-Originating-IP: [144.80.160.65] J.L. Bell: >Not a trivia question, but a topic the digest's experts can help me >with: >WIZARD is the only Baum book in which Dorothy arrives in Oz without >any >help from magic originating within that country. (In two books she >arrives >on Ozma's carpet; in three Ozma is using the Magic Belt.) How many >other >books meet that criterion? > In ROYAL BOOK Dorothy returns via a Silver Island umbrella, right? >And in >WISHING HORSE, Bitty Bit's tower brings her back. What else? Well, the Magic Belt didn't originate in Oz, and there's really no indication that the tornado didn't originate there. (According to one of my stories, its originated in Ev.) With that aside, though, Ruggedo carries the palace (with Dorothy in it) to Ev and back in _Kabumpo_. He uses magic originating in Oz to get to his enormous size, though, so that might not count. She rides on Umbrella Island in _Speedy_, and that flies in and out of the Ozian boundaries. In _Ozoplaning_, Dorothy rides part of the way down to Oz on the flying sticks, which were (presumably) made in Stratovania, but she also has some help from the Wizard's magic. The Mimics carry her to Mount Illuso in _Magical Mimics_, and one of Ozana's swans takes her back home. Jeremy: >I'm probably wrong, but I recall reading somewhere (probably not on >the >Digest) that _Land_ aside, Baum actually had feminist leanings. Did >I dream >this? No, I think you're right. Even _Land_ didn't really mock feminism in and of itself. The subjects of its ridicule were women who favored a complete reversal of gender roles. Note that, although Jinjur is overthrown, Oz does end up with a female ruler. Nathan Mulac DeHoff ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 13:24:24 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: history of Oz Sender: "J. L. Bell" Thanks to all who told me about how Fred Meyer's getting around these days. I'm sorry he won't be at the Munchkin Convention. I might--dare I say it?--write him an actual letter. Robin Olderman, we may indeed have met in Cherry Hill years ago. I was then a teenager. Fortunately, I got over it. Ken Cope wrote: <> Thanks for clarifying this, Ken. It strikes me that Baum's fairyland went the other way: power came *into* the hands of women, producing a golden reign of peace. In the land created by Matilda Gage's son-in-law, indeed, "never was justice more perfect, never civilization higher than under the Matriarchate." However, the *prehistory* of Oz seems to be one of chaos and danger, in which women surpassed men in causing harm. The Wicked Witches of the East and West, Mombi, and Blinkie aren't just women who upset men by being independent; the books reveal them (to varying degrees) as heartless exploiters. In Baum's saga, the humbug male sorcerer, though sacrificing a baby girl on the altar of his own needs, actually helped matters by creating a sanctuary from such predators. Was Baum saying that even matriarchs can benefit from having an old showman around? Among the tricks the Wizard used to maintain his power was to dress up as a lovely, crowned, winged (therefore magical) woman--a foreshadowing of the legitimate rulers who would ultimately succeed him and perhaps a sign that Ozians valued that image more than that of a patriarch. WIZARD never shows him putting on the attributes of the traditional warrior-king: height, strength, weaponry, slain beasts, etc. Jeremy Steadman wrote: <> By the standards of his time, Baum was a feminist; he saw no reason to keep the vote from people because of their sex. He was ahead of his time (and perhaps ours) in writing matter-of-factly about a female U.S. president. What strikes me about your comment, however, is the implication that LAND is anti-feminist. Jinjur's army is a lampoon of the suffragists, but it seems like an affectionate lampoon. Yes, all the girls want to do is eat chocolate and collect jewels, and they're stampeded by mice. But that army is defeated only by another all-female army; it's maturity rather than gender which matters. Jinjur, Mombi, Glinda, and the Queen of the Field Mice are all more effective warriors than the male group we follow through the book, and much more so than the Guardian or the Gates and the Soldier with the Green Whiskers, who underestimate Jinjur's troops precisely because they're pretty girls. Baum does show the men and women of the Emerald City as glad to go back to the traditional division of chores [in which the men do...?]. He also gives one man that wonderful line about how to keep up with all their tasks the women must be made of cast-iron. Dave Hulan wrote: <> This is how Glinda's surveillance of the Wizard worked out: she knew the man had visited Mombi, but she had no idea why. Other times, it seems, Glinda and Ozma can discern or deduce motives from what they see in their Book and Picture: Ann Soforth's intentions, for instance. Finishing Melody Grandy's DISENCHANTED PRINCESS last night, I saw that the Valley of Voe from DOROTHY & WIZARD provides a different take on the dangers of surveillance: the Dama Solution. Everyone--hunters and hunted--becomes invisible; thus everyone's sure of not being watched. As David Brin's TRANSPARENT SOCIETY points out repeatedly [but in non-Oz terms], that's even more of a fantasy today than a Magic Picture. Thanks for recommending T.L. Sherred's "E for Effort"--sounds nifty. And a short story I can definitely fit in. Dick Randolph quoted the OZ SCRAPBOOK on Percy: <> I agree. Spots is quite flat once he's away from his tormentors. Unlike the Cowardly Lion and Hungry Tiger, he has nothing more to wish for, and thus shows no more personality than the Horse of a Different Color. Percy, on the other hand, is a rounded character, demanding yet dependable, quick-witted and quirky. He can carry a book, as WICKED WITCH (once titled PERCY IN OZ) demonstrated. Percy and Tik-Tok were the Oz characters whose dialogue I enjoyed reading aloud. (My mother, however, had the same reaction Robin Olderman did.) Nathan DeHoff wrote: <> Yes, thank you. Perhaps because these books sit next to each other, I keep writing one title while thinking of the other. I recently received the Club edition of [let's see now] WISHING HORSE, to supplement my late-model R&L copy, and saw the color plate of Shoofenwaller peering in the magic telescope for the first time in 20 years. Dave Hulan wrote: <> I was thinking of how Rug advises Kiki on how to use the magic word with all the passion of an interior decorator working on an unlimited budget ["And we'll add a touch of wild ass!"]. Jeremy Steadman wrote: <> No, but social-studies teachers have long used historical novels for the middle grades. The study of history is a fun, fascinating game of connect-the-dots, and one needs background to play well. Fiction can present some useful facts in a compelling way; can foreground the experiences of children, who are usually left out of historical accounts; and can impart what it's like to live in a different environment. That's why Esther Forbes's Newbery-winning JOHNNY TREMAIN is in every bookstore, while her Pulitzer-winning biography PAUL REVERE AND THE WORLD HE LIVED IN isn't. There are drawbacks to this approach, of course. If there's no clear distinction made or grasped between fiction and non-fiction, novels distort a reader's sense of history. (As an analogy, think of how Littlefield wrote that one *can* read WIZARD as an awkward Populist allegory and folks muddled that into Baum's true motive for writing.) Historical novelists always get some things dead wrong, even with the best research, because they must state details which historians can hedge on. Dave Hulan wrote: <> Writers and publishers target girls with books about history (and horses) because girls are responding to those books and boys aren't. They target boys with books about sports and with non-fiction because boys respond to those. (Both sexes are reading horror, sci-fi, and mystery, and some fantasy series grab both.) I do hold out hope that good stories in print and other media will trigger some mysterious alchemical shift in children's tastes. But it will be a sea-change that leaves publishers scrambling to keep up, like manufacturers of raccoon hats in 1955. Peter Glassman has told me how he thinks Oz stories should be ahistorical and timeless--no obvious contemporary slang, for instance. Eric Shanower seems to come at the same goal from the other side when he dresses Baum's heroines in modern clothing (even Button-Bright gets an updated outfit). Thus, their young readers aren't bothered with hints that these kids aren't just like them. But I had no problem reading about the old-fashioned qualities of Dorothy and Peter (nor the even older-fashioned qualities of Inga and Mandy). Oz has changed to reflect the times: Jenny Jump's arrival clearly helped to modernize the Emerald City (though some may dislike the results). I'm intrigued at the notion of 1990s American children visiting an Oz where their most important compatriots are still thinking in pre-WW1 terms. (Having Button-Bright wonder about karate lessons, as you do in GLASS CAT, is that sort of time-play.) Scott Hutchins wrote: <> I dimly recall reading about a [German?] historian who argued that it's conceivable Jesus never existed because most evidence for his life comes from members of his early cult (obviously biased), some of whom who never even claim to have met him in person, and from historians writing about his followers, such as Tacitus. It was an interesting notion, but the preponderance of evidence is, even this historian seemed to acknowledge, that a Jewish man named Jesus did start a religious movement in Palestine. And the rest is history. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 26 Jun 1998 10:36:49 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Aberdeen Festival X-MSMail-Priority: Normal The program for the Chautauqua portion of our Festival is now pretty well set and want to share it with you. It will be booked as "In Baum's Victorian Parlor" or some such yet to be decided and will be in a big tent in the park. Our speakers will be: Nancy Koupal: Director of Publications, SD Historical Society and editor & annotator of "Our Landlady" Dr. Mark West: Prof of English, Univ of No Carolina-Charlotte Frank Pommersheim: School of Law, Univ of SD Dr. Barbara Johnson: instructor American Lit and journalism background Billie Smith: publisher of the Aberdeen American News The Saturday program includes: Welcome by L Frank Baum (local actor and playwright Rod Evans will reenact the character then serve as emcee) West: "Visions of Home and the Role of Native American Legend in Baum's work" Koupal: "The Duel on Main Street: Baum's Battle on Main Street: An Episode in Personal Mythmaking" Panel discussion moderated by Smith Pommersheim: The political and judicial history of Baum's time, focusing on Indian Treaty matters. Johnson: "LFB Newspaper editor--the Man in the Middle"....a closer look at the newspaper and his editorials Program also includes performance by Native American Dancer Stephanie Bare Red Elk, music by our local Barbershop Chorus Sunday program: in a lighter mode West: "Visions of Home" connecting Baums work to his Dakota experiences "The Musical Times of L Frank Baum": Lecture and performance by a Victorian singing quartet Kevin Locke: Native American Hoop Dancer and flutist Performance of Oz Medley by Show Choir from Sioux Falls SD City Band Concert featuring music of Baum's time Obviously, our program reflects our title: L Frank Baum Oz Festival---the Dakota Heritage. We are encouraging research on the newspapers. Our intention is to have the University video the programs and run them on their TV channel, then keep copies for circulation in our libraries. Bea ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 11:27:43 -0400 From: David Levitan Subject: Ozzy Digest To: Dave Hardenbrook I was able to take out the Del Ray version of "Grampa in Oz". There are two maps in the front of the book (one of Oz and the other of the countries surrounding Oz). Can I scan these and use them on my web site? Are they still protected by copyright? Thanks -- David Levitan wizardofoz@iname.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:22:59 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Oz play (fwd) To: DaveH47@delphi.com I currently have this from the library. ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 10:09:38 -0500 (EST) From: "Dorothy L. Webb" To: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Oz play (fwd) The play I mentioned was "Scraps, The Ragtime Girl of Oz" adapted by V.Glasgow Koste and is handled by Dramatic Publishing. DW On Mon, 29 Jun 1998 sahutchi@iupui.edu wrote: > Can you enlighten me a bit, as I don't remember the details. > > Scott > > ---------- Forwarded message ---------- > Date: Thu, 11 Jun 1998 12:16:36 -0500 (EST) > From: sahutchi@iupui.edu > To: DaveH47@delphi.com > Subject: Oz play > > > Yesterday, Dr. Webb discussed aplay which I did not hear the title of, but > the stage set was composed entirely of prisms and had a Hopper and a > journey through Oz. When we went doen to a prop room, I saw a box marked > "The Woozy," and it said in parentheses "from Scratch." I don't know if > this was the name of the play or if it meant it had been scratch-built. > There was also a box marked with things like "plant monster" and > "Cinderella costume." I don't know if this had to do with a PG adaptation > or LSoH, or what, though. Perhaps I should ask her. > > BTW: If you want the special edition DVD of LSoH, featuring Frank Oz's > director's cut, it has been pulled and is already a collector's item > because a BW work print was used accidentally. This features the black > comic ending which, you guessed it, test audiences hated. > > Scott > > ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:40:39 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Pop/Rock New Releases (fwd)Ozzy Digest To: DaveH47@delphi.com There is something Ozzy on here besides Australia, Gary Young, or Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons... and I don't mean Ozzy Osborne.... Scott ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:11:13 GMT From: Greg Lawrence To: GMW Pop/rock Releases Mail List Subject: Pop/Rock New Releases POP/ROCK NEW RELEASES July 1st, 1998 Greg's Music World New Releases email is to keep you posted in your area of musical interest. If you don't want to receive any more issues, simply reply with "unsubscribe" in the first line of the body text. Your address and credit card info is held by us so you can order by email if you wish. BTW, when checking our catalogue don't forget the prices are in $A and include Australian sales tax which overseas customers do not pay. Take 55% to get the approximate price in $US and 32.5% to get the price in pounds sterling. ----------------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------- FREE POST, FREE CALL IN AUSTRALIA Australian customers can now phone us toll free on 1800 882 883. Another plus for our Australian customers is that all album orders over $20.00 are mailed free to Australian addresses. OLIVIA NEWTON-JOHN Just released is "Back With A Heart," Olivia's first new album in four years. The CD costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US2.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. You can see all Olivia's recordings we have available, and the tracks, at: http://www.musicworld.com.au/cgi-bin/search.pl?string=Newton-john,+Olivia NATALIE IMBRUGLIA This is undoubtedly the surprise debut album of 1998. Natalie's "Left Of The Middle" has now sold over 3 million copies worldwide. It had an incredible top ten debut in both the US and the UK. There have also been two top ten Australian singles with "Torn" and"Big Mistake." The album is platinum in Australia. The album is being re-issued with a new album cover and a different sequencing of the tracks. The CD costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US2.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. MIDNIGHT OIL The new album "Redneck Wonderland" is to be released next Monday. The CD costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US2.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. You can check all the Oils albums and tracks here: http://www.musicworld.com.au/cgi-bin/search.pl?string=Midnight+Oil HOODOO GURUS The latest Hoodoo Gurus albums "Armchair Gurus" and "Electric Chair" have been available as a double CD but next Monday will be released singly, each at the lower price of $US10.90 plus $US2.80 for shipping. For Australian customers the price is $A19.95 plus shipping $A2.95. We still have a few of the double CDs left but they will not be available much longer. The double album costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US4.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. You can see the listing of all The Hoodoo Gurus albums and tracks at: http://www.musicworld.com.au/cgi-bin/search.pl?string=Hoodoo+Gurus LISA MAXWELL Having written and recorded with some of Australia's finest artists, including the Wendy Matthews band and the John Farnham band, here is Lisa's debut album "Wish". It's a stunning mix of funk, dance, soul and r'n'b. The CD costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US2.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. MENTAL AS ANYTHING The Mentals have a new album "Garage" coming out at the end of August. If that's too long to wait, the first single "Just My Luck" (a four tracker) was released this week. This was written and is sung by Martin Plaza. It is the 33rd single from the band. It costs $US4.40 for overseas customers and $A7.95 for Australian customers. You can check all the Mental's CDs at: http://www.musicworld.com.au/cgi-bin/search.pl?string=Mental+As+Anything ROSE TATTOO "Nice Boys Don't Play Rock'n'roll" is a 1992 album re-released at a lower price. Cost is $US12.10 plus $2.80 shipping for overseas customers and $A21.95 post free for Australian customers. Check all available Rose Tattoo's recordings here: http://www.musicworld.com.au/cgi-bin/search.pl?string=Rose+Tattoo "SEACHANGE" This is the music from the top rating Australian TV show. The commentary title track was written by Richard Pleasance and performed by Wendy Morrison. Other artists include Paul Kelly, Christine Anu, Dave Hole, Lisa Miller, Bondi Cigars, Daddy Cool, The Backsliders and Mental As Anything. The CD costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US2.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. GREAT COMPILATIONS "The Mushroom Story Vol 1 - The Hits Of The Seventies" is out now. This is the first of a series of five 40 track double CD compilations to mark Mushroom Records' 25th Anniversary. All tracks have been digitally remastered and all have been picked because of commercial success and/or overall significance to the label. This album costs $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US4.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $29.95 post free. Here are the artists and tracks: Goodbye Lollipop - Madder Lake Steel Guitar - Ray Brown 12lb. Toothbrush - Madder Lake I Remember When I Was Young - Taylor Most People I Know (Think That - Billy Thorpe And The Aztecs Way Out West - Dingoes, The Out Of The Blue - Mackenzie Theory I'm Gonna Miss You Babe - Chain Somewhere Over The Rainbow - Billy Thorpe And The Aztecs Riddle, The - Sid Rumpo Buster Brown - Buster Brown Boy On The Run - Dingoes, The Living In The 70's - Skyhooks Lady Montego - Ayers Rock Horror Movie - Skyhooks Give Me A Home Among The Gum T - Captain Rock I Wish There Was A Way - Phil Manning Ego Is Not A Dirty Word - Skyhooks Australia - Captain Matchbox Whoopee Band On The Prowl - Ol' 55 All My Friends Are Getting Mar - Skyhooks Looking For An Echo - Ol'55 My Little Girl - T.M.G. Every Little Bit Hurts - Shirley Mighty Rock - Stars Temptation's 'bout To Get Me - Geoff Duff Don't Fall In Love - Ferrets, The Baked Beans - Mother Goose My Mistake - Split Enz Suburban Boy - Dave Warner Women In Uniform - Skyhooks Who Listens To The Radio - Sports, The I See Red - Split Enz Don't Throw Stones - Sports, The How Long - Scandal Hit And Run - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons He's My Number One - Christie Allen Confrontation - Aliens, The Shape I'm In - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons Hush - Russell Morris "Great Aussie Rock" is a 1975 compilation featuring the pick of the Mushroom label bands at the time. Now at a really low price of $US5.50 plus $2.80 shipping for overseas customers and $A9.95 plus $A2.95 shipping for Australian customers. Here are the tracks: Smut - Skyhooks Lady Montego - Ayers Rock Booze Blues - Madder Lake We'll Never Do The Same Again - Matt Taylor Way Out West - Dingoes, The Winter - Greg Sneddon Johnny B Goode - Coloured Balls Something To Say - Buster Brown I'm Gonna Miss You Babe - Chain Riddle, The - Sid Rumpo Love Is The Mender - Phil Manning Going Back Home - Aztecs, The "Nightmoves was a TV show in the late 70s and early 80s. Two live shows were recorded in The Palais Theatre in Melbourne. Here on CD for the first time is the result of the first show held in September 1977. Called "Nightmovin' Live," it's only the price of an EP! - $US5.50 plus $2.80 shipping for overseas customers and $A9.95 plus $A2.95 shipping for Australian customers. Here are the tracks: Chattanooga Choo Choo - Mother Goose Great Balls Of Fire - Mother Goose Your Song - Mother Goose Winning Hand - Stars Red Neck Boogie - Stars I'll Be Creepin' - Stars My Old Dog - Ferrets, The Just Like The Stars - Ferrets, The Lies - Ferrets, The Blacktown Boogie - Dragon White Light White Heat - Dragon Who The Cap Fit - Billy T. I Am What You Are - Billy T. Snowball King - Kevin Borich She's A Lover - Kevin Borich Going Downtown - Kevin Borich "Nightmoves Concert# 2" is the is the second show held in July 1978. Price is the same as "Nightmovin' Live." The tracks are: Somewhere In Sydney - Skyhooks Bbbbboogie - Skyhooks Boys (What Did The Detective S - Sports Wedding Ring - Sports Last Night In The City - Daniel Love's A Fire - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons Dancing Shoes - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons It's Alright - Jam, The "The Mushroom Evolution Concert" is a selection of rock music preformed before 100,000 people on January 31 and February 1, 1982 to celebrate Mushroom Records 10th anniversary. Originally a three record set, the tracks have been remastered and are on a two CD set for the first time, and at a low price for a double CD. The cost is $US16.40 or equivalent for overseas customers plus $US4.80 for shipping. The cost for Australian customers is $A19.95 plus $A4.30 for shipping. Here are the tracks: She Took My Heart - Billy Miller Nice Legs, Shame About The Face - Dave And The Derros Other Places - Meo 245 Love Comes, Love Goes - Mike Rudd I'll Be Gone - Mike Rudd Counting The Beat - Swingers, The Don't Let Go - Kevin Borich Can't Help It - Kevin Borich Trouble In My Brain - Sunnyboys Birthday - Sunnyboys Hand Me Down - Paul Kelly Billy Baxter - Paul Kelly Love And Devotion - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons You Don't Know - Jo Jo Zep And The Falcons Happy Birthday Ibm - Models Local And/Or General - Models Yes Indeed - Gary Young In The Heat Of The Night - Russell Morris Roar Of The Wild Torpedoes, Th - Russell Morris Goodbye Lollipop - Madder Lake Song For Little Ernest - Madder Lake 12lb. Toothbrush - Madder Lake How Come - Sports, The Stop The Baby Talking - Sports, The Black And Blue - Chain Dust My Blues - Chain Blow In D - Chain My Arse Is Black With Bourke S - Chain I Remember When I Was Young - Chain C'mon Lets Do It - Fives, The On The Prowl - Fives, The Goodnight Sweetheart - Fives, The Sitting In Limbo - Renee Geyer Say I Love You - Renee Geyer Heading In The Right Direction - Renee Geyer Stand By Me - Jam, The Johnny B. Goode - Jam, The EARLY SINGLE RE-RELEASES "Hungry Town" was originally released by Big Pig on a double vinyl 12 inch set as the band's debut release. It was so popular it was included on their first album "Bonk." The Saints first real hit "Just Like Fire Would" from 1986 also became the biggest hit of their career. Another in this series is The Sports "Who Listens To The Radio" which was the single taken from their 1978 "Don't Throw Stones" album - their most successful. Jimmy Barnes "Working Class Man" is another of the Mushroom single re-releases. This single, lifted from the album of the same name, was released in November 1985 and immediately went Top 5. It became Jimmy's signature tune. This release is the remastered version. Also included is "No Second Prize". The Choirboys "Run To Paradise" is their 1987 hit single re-issued as part of Mushroom Records 25th Anniversary.There are three other tracks. Dynamics Hepnotics "Soul Kind Of Feeling" is their 1984 hit single. There are two other tracks. All these re-issued singles have the artwork from the original covers. They each cost $US4.40 for overseas customers and $A7.95 for Australian customers. Cheers Greg =================================== Greg's Music World Point your browser to http://www.musicworld.com.au/ Your Australian music store =================================== ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 98 11:52:04 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things OZZY ARTIST: >Does anyone know if Dick Martin is still alive? I seem to remember >hearing that he was dead at one time and alive at a later time. If >he's still alive, he'd definitely be my top choice for the Centennial >Book Contest. I think he would be good, but I'm pretty sure he's in Oz now... >If not, I'd like to see Kramer (if he's alive). I'm afraid I just don't agree...I agree his _Shaggy Man_ illios are much better than _Mimics_, but I just don't care for his style...My vote is for Melody Grandy. Shanower's work may be more detailed and spectacular, but for me it somehow lacks the Ozzy whimsicalness of Melody's work. OZMA FOR PRESIDENT!: J. L. Bell wrote: >In the land created by Matilda Gage's son-in-law, indeed, >"never was justice more perfect, never civilization higher than under the >Matriarchate." I know this isn't Ozzy, but do you all think that the world would be better if it were run by women? I've often thought so, but my mom isn't so sure... She wisely points out that people are people and no group is all good or all bad...I think the world would be better if you could guarantee that the women in power were really women and not females who got to where they are by emulating machismo-ness (if that makes sense). >However, the *prehistory* of Oz seems to be one of chaos and danger, in >which women surpassed men in causing harm. The Wicked Witches of the East >and West, Mombi, and Blinkie aren't just women who upset men by being >independent; the books reveal them (to varying degrees) as heartless >exploiters. Somehow, I've never quite been able to regard wicked witches as "women". FAQ: I'm just letting everyone know that I've made one more update to the Ozzy Digest FAQ, changing all the references to "Buckethead" to "Tails of the Cowardly Lion and Friends", and updating the E-mail and web links accordingly. I'm also contemplating discarding the vanilla text version of the Digest and just distrubuting the HTML version because It's getting so difficult for me to maintain both...It's sooooo time-consuming! How do others feel about it? BTW, I'm still in the market for a program (preferably shareware or freeware) that can convert HTML to and from other formats like Word, Works, WordPerfect, WordPad, RTF, etc. if anyone can point me in the right direction...*Please*???!!! -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 2, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 12:38:19 -0700 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Non-Ozzy request: Do we have any Digesters from the Bluegrass State? (That's Kentucky for all you Yankees) I need some information Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:13:05 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 Speaking of the Magic Picture: What was the origin of the Picture? I'm sure I knew at one point, but I can't put my (mental) finger on it now... Hmmm: We now have two David L.'s on the Digest. (I guess it's time to use full names when addressing them...) Atticus: <> You're using needle and thread? That was weak, but then, so am I . . . Jeremy Steadman http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/9619 ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:45:24 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-01-98 Dr. Johnson: You have validated my belief that once in awhile, I remember something correctly. (Well, actually I didn't believe that before today, but I guess it's time to start.) Having been brought up in a distinctly feminist-leaning household myself, I too have natural tendencies in that direction. _Wizard_ Rerelease: Is it being touched up too, or just repackaged? Robin: Well that settles the question as to whether you'll be at home this weekend, Oregon... A new discussion question that just occurred to me: What Oz character would be the best President for the U.S.? (As if any of them would want to leave Oz--but assuming they did...) The natural choice, of course, would be Ozma or, more so, Glinda, but beyond them? Certainly not the Wizard, that's for sure! "_Land_ aside..." When I said that, I meant that apart from the ridicule inherent in the depiction of Jinjur's army (not the book in itself, which obviously chooses a female leader over a male), Baum's Oz books, and Baum in general, supported women's rights, etc. <> Yes, I would have said, but reading further I conceed, true. (Well, actually I can name some groups that I consider(ed) all bad, that's not the point.) On a lighter note, Bye! Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:33:26 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-29-98 > John W. Kennedy quoted: > > >http://www.nyhistory.com/gagepage/ > > >The downfall of womankind in the West corresponded to the rise in > > >Christianity, Gage believed. A political overthrow created the > > >Patriarchate, and the Church had been the major institution to > > >maintain it, she contended. > > FWIW, many feminists still subscribe to that theory; we don't blame the > entire patriarchy on the rise of Christianity, but we do note that the > organized > Church did away with the equal rise of women who, originally,were allowed to > move up in the ranks of Church hierarchy right along with the men. At least > Oz shows no real gender bias. Jesus Christ, of course, had nothing to do with this. His attitude toward women bears no resemblance toward the patriarchal dominance of the church. I have a friend who did some research and found that Constantine expurgated/altered parts of the Bible where Jesus put Mary Magdalene (who was not a prostitute--that's the Church's construction. There is no scriptural or historical evidence that she was a prostitute. There is a prostitute in gospel named Mary, and Magdala was known for its prostitutes, but to say Mary Magdalene was a prostitute is a jump to a conclusion which is likely incorrect, but was done to enforce patriarchy). > real world, so we might consider its views as his most realistic and least > wishful. Of course, it wasn't just surveillance aids Rob didn't trust > people with--it's all the high-tech electro-goodies. like that awesome stun gun! > > A coupla clarifications: > In discussing whether Baum's characters from outside Oz aged and died, I > don't mean to dismiss Thompson's writing. I addressed our evidence of what > Baum had in mind. Indeed I'd like to think that humans in the borderlands > live long; that gives me hope that the golden reign of King Bud still goes > on. [One odd bit of aging: Chick the Cherub is clearly said to have grown > up to (wo)manhood at the end of JOHN DOUGH yet is as young as ever in > ROAD.] In _Nikidik in Oz_, Bud is an old man (set in 1991-1995), and is addressed as Timothy. Fluff married into a kingdom where people stay eternally young, which makes relations with her younger brother very interesting. Aging and death certainly occur in Noland, and that's straight out of Baum. > > Feminism and Oz: > I'm probably wrong, but I recall reading somewhere (probably not on the > Digest) that _Land_ aside, Baum actually had feminist leanings. Did I dream > this? Baum and Matilda Gage actually thought very much alike in many way, despite _Dreamer_. > Perhaps the Picture has a feature that stops it from showing Ozma things > that are too private, or that she does not want to see (sort of like a > magical V-chip). Yes, we know Ozma's not interested in seeing the actress who played her in RTO become a porno star. :< > > I don't think WHO'S WHO is authoritative, though it's "good" apocrypha as > opposed to books by modern authors (including myself) who've gotten > published but don't have any real cachet at all as Royal Historians of Oz. > (And much as I like Gina Wickwar, having met her at Ozmopolitan a week or > two ago, I can't really consider her work as even "good" apocrypha whatever > title the IWOC conveys on her.) After hearing her chapter, I though her work seemd more Thomsonian than Baumian, as most apocryphal works seem to be. I thought the club wanted works that were more Baumian. > > This is probably true, but I don't think this has anything much to do with > historical dramas' being inherently alien to boys' minds. When I was 8-12 > or so, most of my friends and I delighted in playing at cowboys, Robin > Hood, Three Musketeers, etc. I don't think that the boys of today are > evolutionarily different; it's just that they don't have the examples we > had then to base our play on. If there were another series of Western, or > medieval, stories that were aimed at young males I'm pretty sure you'd see > an almost instant revival of young male interest in such stories. The > reason such stories appeal primarily to girls these days is that the > writers have targeted girls. _Toy Story_ rather accurately represents the generational shift from Westerns to space fantasy (not necessarily SF, more like Sci-Fi). About Ron Baxley, whom I've never been able to communicate with over e-mail (even though I have tried and an e-mail from Peter Hanff shows that he has tried). I see he made a good many mistakes in the Bugle. First, he was very careless in reporting my Oz filmography. Not only did he go for the obvious and incorrect interpretation of _Pumpkinhead_ (which does not bear the slightest reference to Jack, and which in the climax bore stylistic resemblance to Murch's Nome King as it gained human features with each kill), but he credited the director (the famous SFX artist Stan Winston) as "Stan Hutchin." Then for _Thelma & Louise_ (which to be consistent, should have had an ampersand) he says the Oz comment is from thelma to Louise, when the filmography clearly states that this is J.D. (the Brad Pitt character) speaking to Thelma. He also assumes details that I did not specify because I was not aware of them, but not in enough detail to suggest he knows what was being referred to. For his article on _Oz_, he neglects to say that the "two others" are Trot and Betsy, that the sevy clothing they wear on the cover of #17 is similar, however extremely modest on the interiors. He also sites Bill bryan as the artist, when, in fact, for issues #16-20 he was replaced with another artist. Bryan's version of Scraps has a much more innocent appearance, more beautiful than Neill's or the new artist's (whose name I can't remember). Although Bryan's Ozma is a young adult, her appearance and crown is consistent with the books. He also repeatedly misspells Mombi's name to be consistent with the back cover advertisement. The "e" was a typographical error not used in the lettering of the book. Unfortunately, though I have all 20 issues, and the specials, and every part of _Daemonstorm_ except the Kilroy special and #2, I have not had time to read them past number #16. I also have _Dark Oz_ #2, which states repeatedly the Gilikins are in the west. Perhaps he is going by the old mirror map where the westernmost (in fact the easternmost) tip of Oz is in the Gilikin country. There I accidentally put a pluf for my Oz book not yet published. He is sure to attack the adult themes in it as well. One scene occurs in a bar (though only adults are drinking), and was based on an incident in high school when Noah Butler and Shannon Scott (now Porter) walked into a bar with a Coca-Cola sign on the fron by mistake. Since the setting was the utopic community of New Harmony, I thought the brief anecdote could be expanded in Oz. Also, there are very slight hints at sexuality, as it is quite obvious that Tip believes the teenage ruler Aubrey has done things she shouldn't with her boyfriend, Tarkalus. The current is there, although its most explicit reference is Aubrey mentioning reading trashy novels in school to stay awake, to which Tip replies "ahnd ahm shor you really unahstahnd them tou," imitating Shwarzennegger, or rather, Britain Durham, in a reference to the Sugar and Spice film. And of course, the violence is comparable to that of WWoO. To Baxley, I'm sure I have utterly profaned Oz, even though it seems, overall (with these as exceptions) very true to Baum's conception of Oz, certainly more os than Thompson's, and definitely not, from what I know of them, to Neill's. No sagging rainbows as in Ginny's or John's, etc. Of course mine is inconsistent with the hidden prince because I have Polychrome's father as the anthropomorphic spirit/king of the rainbow, in much the sense as the wood nymphs are humanoid, etc. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 15:43:30 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-01-98 Dave Hardenbrook, Two things: > I'm also contemplating discarding the vanilla text version > of the Digest and just distrubuting the HTML version because > It's getting so difficult for me to maintain both. I'm not enough of a computer adept to understand the implications of such a change. How would this affect me? > I know this isn't Ozzy, but do you all think that the world > would be better if it were run by women? I've often thought > so, but my mom isn't so sure... I'm not sure that one can generalize about the relative efficacy of male or female leadership. Personally, I have always believed that the ideal situation would be a benevolent dictatorship with me as said benevolent dictator. Bob Spark ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:21:56 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Can anyone tell me if a Merry Go Round is mentioned in any of the original 14 Oz books. There is one in Dot and Tot in Merryland. While I'm questioning, are there any clowns in the original 14? I have not yet read them all. I keep getting side tracked by his other books and stories Thanks, Bea ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 17:53:20 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-01-98 Tyler: The person who wrote that was arguing that since the assyrians had a very similar myth (which I heard at church a number of weeks ago) about Inanna and her son, which abstracted sounded exactly like the Christ story, that Jesus must have been mythical as well. The guest speaker's point was that the ressurrection story was such a powerful Truth that it had to have preceded Jesus, occuring in myth before it became a reality, as Christians believe it. Nate: According to Volkov, the tornado was summoned by Gingemma. J.L.: Of course there was never a Jewish man *named* Jesus. Rather, he was named Yeshua ben Yoseph. Jesus was a translation into Greek. Really, I didn't think people's names were supposed to be translated. :) Dave: I don't think a society run by women would be any better or worse than one run by men. It would be just as bad, but for different reasons. To quote Reverend Richard C. Everts: "We don't want women to become more like men because that doesn't work. We also don't want men to become like women, because that doesn't work either." His point was the merger of the masculine and feminine sides of each person have to be brought into balance to get anything done properly. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 19:11:43 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozisus@aol.com Subject: Rob's Oz on-line The Rob Roy McVeigh Oz collection catalog is on-line now, if you hadn't already heard. Jane http://www.pacificbook.com/current.html ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 21:59:05 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones Chris Straugh: Sadly, Dick Martin has left us. However, he would have been a very good choice for writing any Oz book. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 22:40:59 -0400 From: Ted Nesi Subject: Role! Hi all! I had to mention this to you guys...I got the Cowardly Lion role in a production of "The Wiz"! :) I'm very excited. It's a fun role. Does anyone know of any sites online about "Wiz"? (BTW, I know how different the movie is from the Broadway play [which is what we're doing]!) Ted -- *********************************************************** * TED'S LUCILLE BALL PAGE ~ TED'S MUPPET PAGE * * CLASSIC TELEVISION ~ THE UNOFFICIAL "WIZARD OF OZ" PAGE * * http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6066/ * *********************************************************** ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 00:15:49 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-01-98 Does anyone know if Dick Martin is still alive? >> Unfortunately, Dick died several years ago. Tyler: Yes, the sandboat is essentially non-magic, but Johnny Dooit is magical in nature (comes when called, etc.) and Ozma is the one who set the trip in motion in the first place, IIRC. John Bell: Robin Olderman, we may indeed have met in Cherry Hill years ago. I was then a teenager.>> I think I went to all of the cons at Cherry Hill, so we probably met at one point or another. Btw, y'all, I'm at my brother's in Oregon right now, and will not get back to a computer until Sunday night. (We're going to the beach for the weekend.) The Portland area is SO beautiful! This could be a part of Oz. Hey, the Emerald City is only a copula miles away.... -- Robin ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 98 12:06:43 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things OZMA FOR PRESIDENT II: I agree with Jeremy that Glinda would make a good president...Ozma would too, provided it was the Ozma of my books...The canonical Ozma has too many disquieting flaws, as David Hulan's "Are You A Good Ruler Or a Bad Ruler?" essay shows... Of course in any case both Ozma and Glinda are utterly unelectable...They are too honest, sweet, kind-hearted, etc. and I'm sure would be unwilling to play the dirty games of politics. THELMA AND LOUISE IN OZ: I remember Brad Pitt's line: "I am Oz the great and powerful"...Pretty ironic given that J.D. turns out to be such phony too...(Although J.D. is such a vile little shnook that even Ruggedo would turn away in distain.) FAQ: >Dave Hardenbrook, > Two things: >> I'm also contemplating discarding the vanilla text version >> of the Digest and just distrubuting the HTML version because >> It's getting so difficult for me to maintain both. > I'm not enough of a computer adept to understand the implications >of such a change. How would this affect me? You would only be able to read the FAQ in a web browser. -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 3, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 15:52:24 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-02-98 > Speaking of the Magic Picture: > What was the origin of the Picture? I'm sure I knew at one point, but I > can't put my (mental) finger on it now... > > Jeremy Steadman There is no orthodox authority for this but I always suspect that the King of the Fairy Beavers (in JOHN DOUGH) gave it to Ozma. >>(And much as I like Gina Wickwar, having met her at Ozmopolitan a week or >>two ago, I can't really consider her work as even "good" apocrypha whatever >>title the IWOC conveys on her.) > > After hearing her chapter, I though her work seemd more Thomsonian than > Baumian, as most apocryphal works seem to be. I thought the club wanted > works that were more Baumian It would be unfair to judge a book by a single chapter, and the bit of HIDDEN PRINCE Gina read at Ozmapolitan is not really representative of the book as a whole. > Can anyone tell me if a Merry Go Round is mentioned in any of the original > 14 Oz books. There is one in Dot and Tot in Merryland. > While I'm questioning, are there any clowns in the original 14? I have > not yet read them all. I keep getting side tracked by his other books and > stories > Thanks, Bea There is Mister Joker the clown in the Dainty China Country Chapter of WONDERFUL WIZARD. PS The Aberdeen Festival this year looks super--I wish I could make it. I hope some digesters do. > > J.L.: Of course there was never a Jewish man *named* Jesus. Rather, he > was named Yeshua ben Yoseph. Jesus was a translation into Greek. Really, > I didn't think people's names were supposed to be translated. :) > > Scott > We usually translate people's names. Otherwise we would Moishe and Yitzak instead of Moses and Isaac and Publius Ovidius Naso instead of Ovid. > ====================================================================== > Date: Wed, 01 Jul 1998 19:11:43 -0400 (EDT) > From: Ozisus@aol.com > Subject: Rob's Oz on-line > > The Rob Roy McVeigh Oz collection catalog is on-line now, if you hadn't > already heard. Jane > > http://www.pacificbook.com/current.html Now I want to go to San Francisco! Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 17:36:34 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-02-98 Bob: > I'm not sure that one can generalize about the relative efficacy of > male or female leadership. Personally, I have always believed that the > ideal situation would be a benevolent dictatorship with me as said > benevolent dictator. There's that oft-repeated theme in Bob's postings. How benevolent could a person like this be? (Just kidding, Bob. I really know very little about you.) Dave: You appeared to cut certain portions out of my posting yesterday. Why? I knew I was boring, but still ...I assume something went wrong with my transmission. (Of the email, I mean! I didn't notice anything like that anywhere else in the Digest...) Until next time, Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 18:04:07 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-02-98 >_Wizard_ Rerelease: >Is it being touched up too, or just repackaged? I don't know, but I'd sure like to find out! Someone remind me to ask John Fricke about this if we don't find out soon from another source. Or, someone else who knows John could e-mail him and ask. ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 19:08:57 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: getting to Oz the hard way Sender: "J. L. Bell" Thanks to Tyler Jones, Robin Olderman, Dave Hulan, and Nathan DeHoff for swiftly answering my question on how Dorothy returns to Oz without Oz magic. The vehicles seem to be two umbrellas (one Silver Island parasol, one Umbrella Island island), one castle, and one swan. Tyler replied <> That wasn't my question, but it had been my starting point. When I was younger, I thought how *lucky* Dorothy was to repeatedly be taken to Oz by natural disasters. But only the "cyclone" took her to Oz. The storm at sea got her as far as a lockup in Langwidere's castle, and the earthquake left her in an underground tomb. Then Ozma's magic kicked in. Further, Dorothy joins Ozma's legation because the Scarecrow recognizes her from WIZARD; she's spirited out of the cave because of the deal she made with Ozma in OZMA. Luck played a role [what if Ozma had reached Ev a day later? what if Jim had taken the other tunnel?], but neither luck nor natural disasters got her all the way to Oz. Dorothy's later arrivals all derive from what she accomplished on earlier trips. I was wondering if Baum's successors held to the same pattern. Thompson seems more lax about it, as she always was with the Deadly Desert/Barrier of Invisibility. In a side point, Tyler argues that the Sand Boat traveled naturally, though Johnny Dooit was summoned by magic and seemed to build it with magic. I count Dorothy's journey in ROAD as dependent on magic deriving from Oz because the Magic Belt started her off. The American who reaches Oz most often in Baum's books with no deliberate help from within the country is Button-Bright--which figures! Nathan wrote <> in Oz. There's no indication Kaliko hasn't had a sex-change operation, either! But extraordinary claims demand extraordinary proof, as a certain non-historian used to say. About dating MERRY GO ROUND Dave Hulan wrote: <> I expect some version was, yes. Young Boy Scouts were called cubs as early as 1934, though when that got capitalized (as Robin says it) I don't know. My point was that in dating Oz events we have to look for clues about the outside world as well as clues about Oz. Otherwise, we fall into the Snow paradox: trying to date television sets before 1921. Dave Hulan wrote: <> Baum makes clear in WIZARD's first chapter that Dorothy came to the prairie from somewhere else; her personality was a disruption for Aunt Em. So *geographically* these relatives were distant--not as remote as your family in GLASS CAT, but enough for Baum to make a point of it. I agree that American social workers have always preferred to take orphans to nearby relatives who can care for them. Since Thompson says nothing about Speedy and Peter having to adjust, I was assuming those boys were in that situation. What Neill says about his Americans is as jumbled as most everything else in his books, so I can't list Jenny and Bucky in any column. [I even have doubts that Bucky's really named "Jones"!] The term "foster home" dates from 1886, according to Merriam-Webster's. But, the OED reports, originally "foster-brother" or "foster-sister" meant an unrelated child who'd suckled at the same breasts. David Levitan: <> Those are still protected, as the copyright notices on each map and the book's copyright page indicate. But try contacting the Int'l Wizard of Oz Club for permission to post them--if you promise a link and a copyright/permission line, you may get approval. The maps originally published in TIK-TOK are now in the public domain, and you'd own the copyright on any images you create yourself--if you've got a good graphic program, you could create versions of those maps that read the right way around! Dave Hardenbrook wrote: <> I don't know if my vanilla e-mail reader can decipher a mint-chocolate-chip marked-up message. I've had trouble with HTMLoaded posts in the past. But it's your party. Why don't you try a test run? Dave Hardenbrook: <> Listen to your mother. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 02 Jul 1998 17:30:44 -0700 (PDT) From: VoVat Quetzalcoatlus Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-02-98 X-Originating-IP: [144.80.160.65] Jeremy: >Speaking of the Magic Picture: >What was the origin of the Picture? I'm sure I knew at one point, >but I can't >put my (mental) finger on it now... I don't think it was ever explicitly stated in the FF, although I believe that Snow hinted that it was Ozma's own creation. In Onyx Madden's _Mysterious Chronicles_, it is a gift from Tititi-Hoochoo. In Fred Otto's _Lost Emeralds_, Ozma finds it in the Amber City. >What Oz character would be the best President for the U.S.? (As if >any of >them would want to leave Oz--but assuming they did...) The natural >choice, of >course, would be Ozma or, more so, Glinda, but beyond them? >Certainly not the >Wizard, that's for sure! The Wizard might be the most likely to win an American election, though. Scott: >In _Nikidik in Oz_, Bud is an old man (set in 1991-1995), and is >addressed >as Timothy. Fluff married into a kingdom where people stay eternally >young, which makes relations with her younger brother very >interesting. In my short story "Return to Boboland," Fluff marries Prince Bobo. That story takes place soon after _Rinkitink_. I believe that David Hulan was once planning a story with the same union. >After hearing her chapter, I though her work seemd more Thomsonian >than >Baumian, as most apocryphal works seem to be. Thompson's view of Oz is a bit less limited than Baum's, so apocryphal writers probably find it easier to work with. I think the view of Oz that I take in my stories generally tends to be a bit more Thompsonian than Baumian. Bea: >Can anyone tell me if a Merry Go Round is mentioned in any of the >original >14 Oz books. There is one in Dot and Tot in Merryland. >While I'm questioning, are there any clowns in the original 14? I >have >not yet read them all. I don't think that either one is mentioned in the Baum 14. Thompson's books contain both, though. Nathan Mulac DeHoff ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 09:14:27 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal I recently came across an exhibit called "Science of Oz" so got their touring information. It was created by Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC. "The movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, is the basic for this engaging, interactive science and technology exhibit. Visitors will experience phenomena and scenes from the movie, setting the stage for learning about physical sciences, life sciences and biological sciences. Targeted for a family audience, this exhibit will take you on an educational and entertaining journey to the Land of Oz" For those of you who are lucky enough to live in or near the following cities, here is their itinerary: It is currently in W Hartford, CT.-- Oct to Dec '98 at Omaha Children's Museum. In '99 it will be in Chattanooga, Tn,-- Hampton, Va--Winston-Salem, NC. In 2000 at Little Rock, St. Louis and one slot still available. In 2001 at San Jose, Ca----Sausalito, Ca In 2002 in St Paul and San Antonio. I do have more specifics if anyone is interested. Bea ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 13:32:10 -0400 From: Michael Turniansky Subject: Ozus Kristos and Pirates of Penzoz... Well, I have seen my 6 year old play pirates with a neighbor, so I guess not *all* "historical" play is lost on boys these days. Scott asserts: > J.L.: Of course there was never a Jewish man *named* Jesus. Rather, he > was named Yeshua ben Yoseph. Jesus was a translation into Greek. Really, > I didn't think people's names were supposed to be translated. :) Actually, there is no hard evidence of what Jesus' real name might have been (as indeed, it's hard to know if he existed at all, as has been said.) Yeshua is the name claimed by so-called "Hebrew Xtians" or "Messianic (or Completed) Jews" but there is no historic evidence of this. Yeshu is another one claimed by traditional Jews, but it is just as probable that his name was the very common "Yehoshua" (Joshua). As for "translating" names, transliteration is a more accurate term, and it has to be done because not all phonemes or phoneme combinations (or inherent rules for word construction) that exist in one language that exist in another. Some things have to give. In Greek, there was no "Y" consonant like the Hebrew yod, so iota was subsituted. Names couldn't end in vowels, so an sigma was tacked on (or maybe that one happened in the translation to Latin? Didn't we have this discussion before?). Similarly there was no "sh" sound like the Hebrew Shin so sigma was substituted. Yehoshua or Yeshua => Iesus => Jesus when further translated into King James' English, since English didn't like that vowel cluster at the beginning. Same way Yeshaya => Isaias => Isaiah Similar things happen all the time. That's why Beijing became Peking, Guangdong became Canton, Livorno became Leghorn, (all into English) and Merry Xmas => Meli kalakemaki (I think I spelled that right) in Hawaiian. --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 03 Jul 1998 13:27:15 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-01 & 02-98 7/1: J.L.: >This is how Glinda's surveillance of the Wizard worked out: she knew the >man had visited Mombi, but she had no idea why. Other times, it seems, >Glinda and Ozma can discern or deduce motives from what they see in their >Book and Picture: Ann Soforth's intentions, for instance. I think that when Glinda and/or Ozma is said to discern motives, it's because the people they've been observing in the picture or reading about in the book have expressed those motives overtly. The Magic Picture never seems to give any insight into the private thoughts of the observed, and I don't recall an instance of the Book of Records doing so, though I'm less sure about that. Certainly Ann Soforth, the example you give, was telling all her subjects about her plans for conquering Oz, so the GBR wouldn't need to read thoughts to know her intentions. > Thanks for recommending T.L. Sherred's "E for Effort"--sounds nifty. And >a short story I can definitely fit in. "E for Effort" first appeared in 1948 or thereabouts, but it's been anthologized many times and shouldn't be hard to find. There was a collection of Sherred's stories - he wasn't prolific - published back in the '70s sometime; I think the title was FIRST PERSON PECULIAR. All of them are excellent. >Writers and publishers target girls with books about history (and horses) >because girls are responding to those books and boys aren't. They target >boys with books about sports and with non-fiction because boys respond to >those. This may be true, but I still say that there's nothing inherent in males that rejects Westerns; when I was a lad most Westerns, both books and movies (we didn't have TV then), were aimed at boys and were extremely popular. I can't think of anything that's happened in the ensuing 50 years that would change that, if someone were to start aiming Westerns at boys. (Granted, horses - as opposed to stories where horses are simply a means of transportation - seem to be mostly a Girl Thing.) David L.: I haven't seen the Del Rey _Grampa_ so I don't know which maps of Oz they use. If they're the original maps from the 1st edition of _Tik-Tok_ then they're probably PD, but if they're the IWOC maps they're under copyright, and so are most other updates. I'd be very careful if I were you. Scott H.: I hope there wasn't anything of Oz interest in that long ad from Greg's Music Shop, because after I didn't see anything in the first screen or two I scrolled past the rest of it unread. Dave: I doubt if the world would be a better place if it were run by women, for the simple reason that regardless of sex, the world is going to be run by people who want to run the world, and that's pretty much the same type regardless of physique. 7/2: Tyler: Depends on what you mean by "from the Bluegrass State." I was born there and went to high school there, and still visit friends there occasionally, but I don't live there currently and haven't for 44 years. What kind of information are you looking for? Jeremy: I don't believe that the origin of the Magic Picture was ever given in a canonical Oz book. "Onyx Madden" (Jim Nitch) gave an origin in _The Mysterious Chronicles of Oz_; I believe it was a coronation gift from Tititi-hoochoo, but I don't remember for sure. (It was a gift from some magic-worker outside of Oz, I'm almost certain.) I don't think any Oz character would make a particularly good president of the US. The Wizard, as we see him in _Lost Princess_ and _Magic_ (but _not_ as we see him in _Wizard_ or _DotWiz_) is probably the closest. Scott H.: Aging and death certainly occur in Noland, but whether they occur at the same rate as in America isn't clear. I agree that _Hidden Prince_ sounded more Thompsonian than Baumian, but that's not too surprising when you remember that the final judge was McGraw; her own Oz books are more Thompsonian than Baumian. And she once stated that _Grampa in Oz_ was her favorite Oz book, with _Cowardly Lion_ a close second. Bea: There's a china clown in the Dainty China Country in _Wizard_. That's the only clown I can remember in the Baum books. And I don't recall a merry-go-round at all, though I think the music played by the mechanical dragons in Thi in _Lost Princess_ reminded the children of carousel music. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 03 Jul 98 13:58:23 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things OHHHHHHHH NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!! A couple of Digests ago I wrote: "I'm also contemplating discarding the vanilla text version of the Digest and just distrubuting the HTML version..." The Digest *FAQ* I meant to say! The *Digest* is, always was, and always will be plain text! It's only the *FAQ* that I'm thinking of having only an HTML version of, and that's what I meant to ask you all about! Sorry for the confusion! Ozma: Careful, Dave! That sort of omission of one little word is one way wars get started! -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 4 - 6, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 09:49:42 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: presidents and/or clowns in Oz Sender: "J. L. Bell" Jeremy Steadman asked: <> I theorize the Picture was a coronation gift/resource sent to Ozma by Queen Lurline. Baum frequently refers to it as one of the most magical things in Oz, which implies a very high-powered source. Jeremy Steadman wrote: <> Must this President have been born in the U.S.? Is Ozma old enough? Would Ozians be able to use magic powers while in office, or rely simply on the personality we see in the books? In any event, I nominate Nick Chopper: an indefatigable public servant with proven popularity and leadership ability, whom we can trust for benevolent programs, military leadership when needed, polished diplomatic skills, judicial experience, little need for Secret Service protection, and an ability to talk sensitively to both the environmental movement and the timber industry. Of course, sometimes he comes off as a bit oily. Bea Premack asked: <> In addition to Mr. Joker, in MAGIC Loo the Unicorn is transformed into a man and starts cutting capers "like a clown." Neill's illustration of that man is quite clownish, though it doesn't accord with Baum's text in other ways. Probably the most appropriate clown for an Oz festival would be a white-face Scarecrow, like David Stone. Congratulations, Ted Nesi, on preparing to play the Cowardly Lion in THE WIZ! Scott Hutchins posted a correction to a listing in the latest BAUM BUGLE, which inserted his surname (mostly) in place of Stan Winston's. I'd wondered about that overlap. Thanks, Scott. All in all, I was disappointed in the latest BAUM BUGLE, especially the lead article. It seemed to show all the well-considered organization of a term paper due 24 April and started 23 April. Mike Turniansky wrote: <> I have noticed a surprising resurgence of pirates in books, both fiction and non-fiction (histories and dress-up books). Hollywood is passing this trend by after the disaster of Renny Harlin's CUTTHROAT ISLAND. One unfortunate way to interest boys in historical stories has always been to include weapons (six-shooters, muskets, cannons, broadswords, etc.). Dave Hulan wrote: <> I agree there's nothing inherent in young males' choices--it's a matter of today's culture, deeper than mere fads but not as deep as biology. Even horses can appeal to boys again, if the Black Stallion, Flicka, and other stories of the past are good indications. But culture takes time to change, and it replicates itself. You and I have talked about kids' current habit of wearing baseball caps backwards. I was at a Red Sox game last night [second time in two days they scored 15 runs, keeping them at a better record than the leaders of the AL Central and West--and they're still many games behind the Yankees!]. My friend pointed out there are now little kids who have grown up without knowing the way baseball caps were designed to be worn! Dave Hardenbrook, thanks for the clarification about the Ozzy Digest FAQ. Why don't you archive the latest non-HTML version, with a warning to readers that it's out of date but better than nothing? J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 10:56:40 -0400 (EDT) From: Orange5193@aol.com Subject: Oz Digest Posting J. L. Bell states << The American who reaches Oz most often in Baum's books with no deliberate help from within the country is Button-Bright--which figures! >> Exactly! It's a trade off- you have to be lost before Oz can be found. >What Oz character would be the best President for the U.S.? (As if >any of >them would want to leave Oz--but assuming they did...) The natural >choice, of >course, would be Ozma or, more so, Glinda, but beyond them? The Nature of Politics is this: You want Ozma, you'll take Glinda, you settle for O. Z. Diggs and hope he doesn't turn out to be Ruggedo. I'm assuming the inclusion of the music store catalogue was a mistake (Oz, Australian music, I can see how it happens). Let's just hope we're not invaded with Ozzy Osbourne postings :) For those who missed David Maxine's presentation on period 1903 Wizard of Oz recordings, he'll be repeating it at the Winkie convention. This time, I'm told, there might be a little something extra. Be there- I will, sorta. James Doyle ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 10:04:24 -0700 From: Peter Hanff Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-03-98 Hi Dave, Just wanted to alert the Ozzy Digest readers who will be in San Francisco area on July 12-13 that Pacific Book Auction is holding a special preview of the Rob Roy MacVeigh Collection on Sunday from 2 p.m. to 8 p.m. A number of us attending the Winkie Convention, which ends with lunch on July 12th, plan to take advantage of the Sunday preview. We also will have dinner together at Wu Kong, a remarkably good, Shanghai-cuisine restaurant (only the second one to open in San Francisco), in the Rincon Center, about a block south of the foot of Market Street near the San Francisco Ferry Building. I will do a head count at the Winkie Convention on Friday evening and call in to reserve tables. Any Digesters who would like to join us should let me know before July 8 (I drive down to Pacific Grove on July 9). Peter ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 16:47:01 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-03-98 Steve: >We usually translate people's names. Otherwise we would Moishe and >Yitzak instead of Moses and Isaac and Publius Ovidius Naso instead of >Ovid. At least, we do from pre-modern times. But unless an English version of a name is established (like Ghent, for instance - which is Gent in Flemish and Gand in French, the two local languages), modern practice is to represent it as closely as English spelling allows. E.g., Yitzhak Shamir, not Isaac; Vasili Stalin (Josef's son), not Basil. J.L.: >Thanks to Tyler Jones, Robin Olderman, Dave Hulan, and Nathan DeHoff for >swiftly answering my question on how Dorothy returns to Oz without Oz >magic. The vehicles seem to be two umbrellas (one Silver Island parasol, >one Umbrella Island island), one castle, and one swan. Dorothy returns to Oz on Ruggedo's head in _Kabumpo_, but the ultimate cause is Glegg's mixed magic - specifically, the Triple Trick Tea - without which Rug wouldn't have gone back to Oz. I consider this a case of Oz magic causing the return. > I was wondering if Baum's successors held to the same pattern. Thompson >seems more lax about it, as she always was with the Deadly Desert/Barrier >of Invisibility. As we've discussed, Baum himself seems to have forgotten about the Barrier of Invisibility by the time of _Rinkitink_ at least, so I don't think you can blame Thompson for ignoring it. >I count Dorothy's journey in ROAD as dependent on magic deriving >from Oz because the Magic Belt started her off. True, but it didn't get her to Oz. Most of the journeys we've been discussing didn't get Dorothy off the Ozian continent; the only time she left fairylands after _Emerald City_ was the brief trip in _Lost King_. I thought your question was aimed at how she got across the Deadly Desert into Oz proper, not how she got to fairyland. By that standard she got to fairyland via typhoon in _Ozma_ and earthquake in _DotWiz_, though it took Oz magic to get her all the way to Oz. Or do you just mean that Oz magic has to be involved at some stage of the journey, early or late? >The American who reaches Oz >most often in Baum's books with no deliberate help from within the country >is Button-Bright--which figures! Since only three Americans reach Oz more than once in Baum's books (unless you count Toto) that's not that high a distinction - especially since Button-Bright only does it twice. Well, I guess Shaggy does as well, if you count his expedition out to find his brother. But only three characters make it all the way from America to Oz more than once. I see, you meant "distant" geographically rather than genetically. I'm not all that sure that Dorothy came to the prairie from somewhere more distant than, say, the nearest small city, though. Clearly Aunt Em wasn't used to her before she came to live with them, or Dorothy's laughter wouldn't have upset her, so she wasn't from the next farm over or anything like that. But I doubt if she came all the way from, say, Chicago, either. And of course, Barry and Becky's uncle and aunt in _Glass Cat_ were more distant in terms of miles than Aunt Em and Uncle Henry probably were from Dorothy, but in terms of travel time they were closer than someplace 50 miles from E and H's farm would have been in 1900, if the farm wasn't close to a railroad (and the statement about how hard it was to get lumber for the farmhouse implies that it wasn't). Nathan: >I believe that David Hulan >was once planning a story with the same union. [Fluff and Bobo] I was - and I started to use it in the serial I'm currently writing for the _Mirror_. But Marcia (my First Reader) thought that explaining it slowed down the story, so that unless I planned to make it an important plot point I should eliminate it. I didn't, so I did. But I may yet write that story... David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 4 Jul 1998 19:38:59, -0500 From: NQAE93A@prodigy.com (MR ROBERT J COLLINGE) Subject: Ozzy Digest I had the pleasure of going to a children's production of "The Wizard of Oz" this morning in Ogunquit, Maine. It was put on by a professional touring group called "The Gingerbread Kids and Jack". The play itself was very good. It had nothing to do with the MGM movie, and actually followed the book very closely. However, it was still a musical. They had written a brand new score and songs for the entire show. People, including my wife, who were looking for "Over the Rainbow" and "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" were very disappointed. The songs were very clever though. The costumes were very similar to the book. Dorothy was a short little redhead with a fantastic voice. The group is based in NYC but does national tours. Thank you all for the congratulations on my winning entry in the Emerald City Mirror for the Royal Club of Oz. I hope to publish a book soon. Bob C. ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 20:17:42 -0400 From: Richard Bauman Subject: TODAY'S OZ GROWLS Sender: Richard Bauman NATHAN - >The Wizard might be the most likely to win an American election, though. I think one already did! Bea - "Science of Oz" Yes, please give us the details, though I will have to wait until 2001. Happy Firecrackerless Fourth Everyone, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 05 Jul 1998 20:50:15 -0400 From: Jill Moore Subject: [Fwd: A Special 4th of July Announcement!] Hi Everybody! Hope you had a wonderful Fourth of July Holiday!!! In celebration of our nations birthday, and the upcoming Wizard of Oz Anniversary, I would like to share with you a great new Wizard of Oz Page (well, not totally new, but totally revamped with online ordering of great merchandise!). BEYOND THE RAINBOW is a great company to do business with, as I have many times. I highly recommend this shop, and know that all my Oz friends will too. Have a great time shopping!!! Your friend in Oz ~~~~~ Jill Message-ID: <359DC693.21AE3F29@i1.net> Date: Sat, 04 Jul 1998 01:07:15 -0500 From: Elaine Willingham Tah Dah! At last, it is our pleasure to announce that our permanent Web site is completed. We welcome you to visit as often as you like. We welcome your comments and suggestions. Please tell your Internet Oz friends about the site and continue to send in Oz news tips, please feel free to post timely Oz News right onto our Message Board. We would like to send a special thank you to Peter Theodore, our Web master who has done a magnificent job. Now, without further delay, enjoy your first visit to the site, and have a wonderful and safe 4th of July! Elaine & Tina http://www.beyondtherainbow2oz.com Again, Happy 4th! Anyone who recieves this message has contacted Beyond the Rainbow at some point in time. If you wish to be removed from our email address list, simply email us. ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 7 - 8, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 18:56:12 -0500 From: Justin McIntosh Subject: Oz I have a wizard of oz life-size stand-up for sale that someone might want to buy! It's a great item for your collection and if you'd like a picture of it, please e-mail me at mcintosh@ecsis.net and I will send one to you. I am a big Wizard Of Oz collector and have many items in my collection but this is one that has just become something in the way and I would like to see some Wiz fan out there have it! I am currently asking about $180.00 but I might go lower. Hope to hear from some Wiz fan out there! Justin McIntosh ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:01:16 -0400 (EDT) From: "James R. Whitcomb" Subject: For Ozzy Digest Hello Everyone: I just wanted to let everyone know that Elaine Willingham of "Beyond the Rainbow" debuted her newly designed website this past weekend. I hope folks will check it out as it's very nice and has lots of Ozzy information and collectibles for sale. For those of you who don't know, Elaine used to issue a newsletter called "Beyond the Rainbow Collector's Exchange". The URL for Elaine's website is: http://www.beyondtherainbow2oz.com/ Jim Whitcomb. ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 21:21:51 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozisus@aol.com Subject: Oz 2000, interested? Since so many of you Oz Digesters are interested in the people, places and happenings of the Land of Oz, I wanted to let you know that Barbara Koelle will be organizing a series of Life in the Land of Oz presentations (Individuals? Panels? Debates? -- anything is possible) for the International Wizard of Oz Club's Centennial Conference. If you'd be interested in presenting, write to Barbara at 244 Haverford Ave Swarthmore, PA 19081. Give her an overview of your proposed presentation -- it will be her job to juggle and fit together the options that come her way. I'll be including contact information in the autumn issue of The Oz Observer, distributed it at the Ozmopolitan convention, and posting it on the IWOC web site shortly. I just think some "prime candidates" for the Life in the Land of Oz track are active or lurking on this Digestm and, since Barbara is not a part of the wired community, you may need to seek her out to join the party as a presenter. FYI, other educational tracks include the Life and Work of L. Frank Baum (Chair: Nancy Tystad Koupal), Literary Criticism/Comparative Literature (Chair: Angelica Carpenter), Oz on Stage and Screen (Chair: David Maxine), and Oz Collecting (Chair: Robin McMaster). I'll be juggling any wildcard ideas that don't fit neatly into one of those five categories myself. Each chair will be looking for a full roster of programing to provide convention attendees with a menu of Ozzy choices during the four-day event. And fear not, Eric Gjovaag is pulling together fun stuff for those not interested in learning one thing -- just want to have fun? Head to Eric! Lynn Beltz is coordinating a kids' program and John Neel will organize a Baum Shelter program for the non-Oz fan family members we drag along with us. Lots more info to follow. Just wanted to get you all thinking about the kinds of things you'd like to add to Oz 2000. (Indiana University campus, Bloomington, Ind., July 20-23, 2000) Jane Albright ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 22:38:33 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones Vote for me, and I'll... I'd cast my vote for Cap'n Bill. He doesn't do much in the series, but he betrays a quiet wisdom and determination that serve this country well. Other positions: Chief Justice of the Supreme Court: Frogman Secretary of State: Glinda Sec'y of Defense: Jinjur Attorney General: Wogglebug Chairman of the Fed: Dad (of Uptown in _Hungry Tiger_) Book: The only time I can recall the Book of Records editorializing is in describing the impending war between the Skeezers and the Flatheads in _Glinda_. It only predicted general trouble and suffering, though. I can't remember any instance when it actually went into the thoughts of someone, although it may have happened somewhere in Apocrypha. As time goes by (in and out of the FF), magical items seem to grow more and more powerful. If this hasn't happened yet, I predict it will soon. David H: I had meant people who currently live there, preferable Louisville. I need info on a political contest. I suppose I could just break down and call their elections office. Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 06 Jul 1998 22:48:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Orange5193@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-06-98 I stand corrected- David Maxine's Winkie Con presentation will be something entirely different, and not a repeat of his period Oz recordings talk. James Doyle ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 10:16:36 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-06-98 J.L.: >Probably the most appropriate clown for an Oz festival would be a >white-face Scarecrow, like David Stone. You're mixing names; the stage Scarecrow was Fred Stone, with David Montgomery as the Tin Woodman. (As half a dozen other Digest folk will no doubt tell you.) >My friend >pointed out there are now little kids who have grown up without knowing the >way baseball caps were designed to be worn! That seems fairly unlikely, unless the kid has never actually seen baseball played with proper equipment. The reversed cap is the way it's worn these days when not playing, but the players still quite sensibly wear the cap with the bill forward so it can serve its intended purpose of shading the eyes. (Catchers excepted, of course.) David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:14:48 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-03-98 David Levitan: The Haff/Martin Oz map is at http://www.munchkinland.com/map.html. Actually it isn't, but the component states are. David: There was something related to "Over the Rainbow" in the Greg's Music World Mailing (plus Gary Young and Jo Jo Zep and the Falcons). Gary Young is the drummer for that band (which performs off-screen in Chris Lofven's _Oz_) and he wrote Dorothy's song "Our Warm Tender Love." I wonder if I'm the only Oz writer whose works are more Baumian than Thompsonian (aside from in the canon--Jack Snow). I write my Oz books in the naturalistic manner of Baum, and I tend to work with things I'm familiar with and have lived through and distort them to fantastic purposes, as Baum did. Thus, mine have a tendency to be a bit darker, and thus, likely less popular (though few have actually read them). BTW: Would this be a violation of a copyright on a Neill book? Tip: She had a girl lobotomized.. just for being ANNOYING! Scott ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:36:44 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-06-98 I'm surprised the fact that Johnny Dooit has a major role in _Oz_, and the fact that the Munchkins and the others come across as individuals in a group rather than interchangeables. I have all ten issues of _Oz Squad_, but have only had time to read the first three (because it took forever to find #4 and there was a change of artists with issue #5 which made the story seem tough to reconcile with what came before (though I hadnb't tried). I'm sure no one wants to read an article about that, though, even though it became far less offensive after the first issue (to the extent they no longer found a need to put "suggested for mature readers" as a warning on the cover. James: The Australian music catalog was not a mistake. Speaking of "E for Effort" has anyone read _Gadsby_ by Ernest Vincent Wright? If I had time to read for pleasure I'd get it through interlibrary loan. It was not Wright's only book (infamous for lacking "e"s), but it was his last, as he died the day after it was published. The brief excerpt I read seemed more like poetry than prose, due to the formal constraints of limited vocabulary. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 02:20:53 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-03-98 To: DaveH47@delphi.com Steve, quoting Scott:>>>(And much as I like Gina Wickwar, having met her at Ozmopolitan a week or >>>two ago, I can't really consider her work as even "good" apocrypha whatever >>>title the IWOC conveys on her.) If you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all. Remember that line? It's still excellent advice. While it's true that Gina's style is somewhat Thompsonian, her Oz is clearly Oz as we know it. Many of the Mss received were, to put it mildly, extremely personalized in their view of Oz. Others were Baumian, all right, but the authors had trouble with things like the flow of language and turned in stuff that would need major rewriting before it could be accepted. There is nothing in _Hidden Prince_, IIRC, that contradicts Baum, and even though the style is not his, the content is true to Baum's Oz. ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 98 23:20:04 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things DIGEST PROBLEMS: Jeremy wrote: >You appeared to cut certain portions out of my posting yesterday. When this happens, I immediately think that there's a bug in my Digest generating program...I'll look into the matter and re-post anything that got inadvertently deleted... VIDEO SEARCH: As many of you know, I have been searching in vain for the Minneapolis Children's Theatre Production of _The Land Of Oz_, and today at www.reel.com I found a listing for a video called "Marvelous Land Of Oz", made in 1982. Is this the right one? (No details are given.) FOR OZ/RED DWARF FANS ONLY!: :) Scott wrote: >David Levitan: The Haff/Martin Oz map is at >http://www.munchkinland.com/map.html. I was looking at the descriptions of the Oz Kids videos, and couldn't help noticing the apparent resemblance of _Virtual Oz_ (at least the description) to _Better Than Life_. I've always thought that an Ozzy version of _Back to Reality_ -- in which Dorothy has a nightmare that Oz *is* just a dream (like in MGM) -- would be interesting...Ruggedo aquires a magic hallucinogenic spell to cast on the Ozites... Voice: For the last 99 years, you have been playing the Total Emersion Video game, "THE WIZARD OF OZ"... Dorothy: You mean -- This is Kansas? -- And we've just had a dream?? -- And I'm *not* a Princess of Oz?? Hunk, Hickory, and Zeke: And we're just farmhands, not a scarecrow, tin man or lion??? Professor Marvel: And Glinda didn't train me in magic???? Andy: (To Hickory) Did you marry Nimee Amee? Hickory: Was I supposed to? Andy: *Supposed to*?? That's the object of the game for the Tin Man, you twonk! You get separated to begin with and basically it's a love story across time, space, Oz, and Nonestica. Geez! No wonder you only scored 4 percent! (Or something like that.) :) POLTICS IN OZ: Okay Tyler, I'll go along... :) Here's my Ozzy cabinet: President: Ozma Vice President: Jack Pumpkinhead (Brains may spoil without affecting job performance) Chief of Staff: Jellia Jamb Secretary of State: Dorothy (Has been abroad many times) Secretary of Defense (of Oz): Glinda (But she'd make magic, not war) Secretary of Labor: Uncle Henry Secretary of Education: Wogglebug Secretary of Agriculture: Zim Secretary of Energy: Scraps (She has a lot of it!) Secretary of HUD: Reera (No one sees her for four years!) Chairman of the Joint Chiefs: Omby Amby National Security Advisor: The Wizard (Works very closely with the Secretary of Defense) Domestic Policy advisor: Betsey Bobbin (For no particular reason) Scientific Advisor: Shaggy Man Minister for Administrative Affairs: Miss Cuttenclip (She could handle all that paper-shuffling!) Minister of Industry: Nick Chopper Minister of Health: Herby Minister of (Magical) Technology: Aurah EPA director: Audah NEA director: Aujah FBI director: Jinjur CIA director: The Scarecrow (Then the government for once *would* have "intellegence"!) Speaker of the House: Frogman (Has to do quite a lot speaking) Senate Pres. Pro Tem.: Pastoria (Has to be someone old enough to remember King Arthur) Chair, House Ways and Means Committee: Head Wheeler (A real wheeler-dealer) Chair, House Committee on Aging: Locasta Chair, House Committee on Children, Youth and Families: Auntie Em Chair, Senate Judiciary Committee: Orin (They wouldn't even have to change the nameplate if the Munchkin county in which the Ozure Islands reside was nicknamed "Hatch"!) :) -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 9 - 11, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 12:00:16 -0400 From: Michael Turniansky Subject: ozkids Don't know nothing much about them, but when to the webpage that Scott suggested: got one thing to say to their creators: get a clue! Boris and Bela cannot be "identical twins" *sigh* --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 10:57:08 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-08-98 Jane: I'll certainly volunteer to do something for Barbara's track at the Centennial Conference. I need to write her anyhow (if for no other reason, she has my ZIP code wrong and everything she sends me is delayed because it goes via Henley, MO, wherever that is), so I'll mention a couple of topics I might present, and a willingness to debate or be on a panel about almost anything. Tyler: >I'd cast my vote for Cap'n Bill. He doesn't do much in the series, but he >betrays a quiet wisdom and determination that serve this country well. Good thought. And he even has the advantage of being constitutionally eligible for the office, which most of the others who've been mentioned aren't. Lee Jenkins is on-line, used to subscribe to the Digest and may still, and lives across the river from Louisville and is probably familiar with what's going on there politically. Unfortunately, I know she changed ISPs recently and so I don't know her E-mail address any more. And I don't know if she has time or inclination to respond to questions about local politics. Scott H.: >I wonder if I'm the only Oz writer whose works are more Baumian than >Thompsonian (aside from in the canon--Jack Snow). It depends, surely, on how you define "Baumian" vs. "Thompsonian." I consider my Oz writing more Baumian than Thompsonian, but that's based on my personal perception of the differences between the two, and someone else might disagree. As someone who has read your Oz writing might disagree with your self-characterization. (The only thing of yours I remember having read was "Giraffic Park," and it didn't strike me as Baumian or Thompsonian either one. But I know that was relatively early work and probably not representative.) David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 13:09:01 -0400 (EDT) From: RickEditor@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-06-98 You might want to start an OZ Irony Dept. and kick it off with this: I live in the Philadelphia house in which Ruth Plumly Thompson penned her 19 Oz books, and I'm keeping the Oz tradition going: I got a new heart! The successful transplant was last Sept. 10 and I'm doing fine. Now all I need is courage and a brain! I still remember fondly being a guest a few years back at the convention honoring Ruth's 100th birthday! Rick Selvin ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 12:55:38 -0700 (PDT) From: VoVat Quetzalcoatlus Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-08-98 X-Originating-IP: [144.80.160.62] Scott: >BTW: Would this be a violation of a copyright on a Neill book? > >Tip: She had a girl lobotomized.. just for being ANNOYING! I don't think so, as long as you don't specifically mention Jenny Jump or the events in _Wonder City_. I don't know much about copyright law, though. Briefly, Nathan Mulac DeHoff ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 18:01:56 -0400 (EDT) From: Mark Anthony Donajkowski Subject: oz news REUNITED: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, for a Christmas theatrical release of the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz" (in much the same manner "Gone With the Wind" has just reopened). In preparation, the Turner Classic Movies Music/Rhino Movie Music soundracks partnership will release "The Story & Songs From 'The Wizard Of Oz,'" a new, nearly-78-minute audio CD, in stereo, on Sept. 1. ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 17:04:08 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-08-98 Robin: I'm not the one who said I couldn't consider _The Hidden Prince of Oz_ good apocrypha. I just said it sounds more Thompsonian than Baumian. Somebody else had the line about "`good` apocrypha," definitely not me. I would have to read the whole thing before I would even think of saying something like that. I think Steve garbled his quotes a bit. Dave: The production was called _L. Frank Baum's The Marvelous Land of Oz_, and it was made in 1991. The box says (c) 1991 Child Vision (C) 1982 MCA Videocassette Inc. This is it. I would definitely not get the cheapskate EP recording because the Children's Theatre Company uses a black box stage, and dark colors tend to look particularly fuzzy with a lot of red and blue spotting in the EP mode. I don't know who released the EP version, as I've never seen it for sale. I never buy EP tapes unless (as it is unfortunately the case with the Oz Kids videos) something has never been released in SP mode. Since they have it for rent, yopu might not want to worry about the $33.99 price, though you'll probably want to buy it after you see it. Tyler: Wasn't Dad the king of Down Town?! Dave: I take it _Better Than Life_ is a _Red Dwarf_ episode. I say this because I don't know who Andy is. The 1989 Ozian had a story called _There's no Place Like Oz_, which was just like the story you describe. I think it was by david Maxine. The illustrartions were by Eric Shanower, who parodies the film's final image (and inserts Ozma). The other night I had an odd dream of an OzCon late night party. The odd thing was that Neve Campbell was there and they kept showing _Perfect Strangers_ on a couple of TVs. I don't know why I'd dream of having a conversation with Neve Campbell since I don't follow her films or TV series. Maybe I'm psychically aware that she is an Oz fan, as I already Bronson Pinchot is... Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 20:41:47 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: rules of Baum's Oz Sender: "J. L. Bell" Thanks, Dave Hulan, for sorting out Fred Stone's name properly. About Button-Bright's fortune in getting to Oz, James Doyle wrote: <> Excellent point. Even when Dorothy is under Ozma's watchful eye (ROAD), she doesn't know ezackly where she is. Button-Bright takes the next step: much of the time he doesn't much care where he is! About classifying Dorothy's travels to Oz, Dave Hulan asked: <> Yes, I meant that if *any* leg of Dorothy's journey involved magic deliberately worked from within Oz or by Ozians, then that trip ultimately stemmed from her initial visit to Oz. And therefore other Americans wouldn't have the same chance of succeeding on such a journey. That may mean there may be caves, islands, and dungeons across the Nonestic region where missing Americans languish, having been transported to a fairyland by natural disaster but not having the connections to get further. Betsy Bobbin was rescued from such a fate--but only because she was with the Shaggy Man. Fortunately, Trot's books tell us Americans can visit fairylands and make it to safety without Ozian intervention. JOHN DOUGH says the same thing (as might the TWINKLE AND CHUBBINS books, but I can't stomach them long enough to find out). JOHN DOUGH and SKY ISLAND are also the only Baum novels that come to my mind in which magic is worked by mortals in America, not by fairies and/or from fairyland. Magic being unknown here, of course, in both those books people discover its power accidentally. Baum's Oz novels, in contrast, say that magical things (the Silver Shoes, the Magic Belt) can't work or necessarily even exist outside Oz. As I type, I'm struck by the parallels between John Dough and Benny, the Public Benefactor, in Thompson's GIANT HORSE. Both are artificial men brought to life in an American city by a shopkeeper working magic unawares. Both men are well-dressed, naive, formal, and very strong. Both briefly astonish their home towns before stumbling onto an explosion that propels them through the air to fairyland. We know Thompson reviewed WIZARD before writing GIANT HORSE--she not only borrowed the Good Witch of the North but reverted to the original alignment of East and West. I wonder if she'd read JOHN DOUGH as well. Dave Hulan wrote: <> True, but the real distance was cultural. I should have been clear that in looking at Dorothy, Bobby, and Robin, I was examining the orphans in Oz books whose authors made a point of their adjustment. Dorothy is obviously happier than the two boys, but none of these three seem to have made the seemingly seamless "Ma's dead, where's my baseball glove?" transition of Speedy and Peter. Scott Hutchins asked: <> I think this line on its own falls under fair-use guidelines. You're not mentioning a Neill character by name, you're interpreting rather than retelling Neill's (or his R&L editor's) episode, the original episode is a short piece of a long work, your line is an even shorter piece in a (presumably) long work, and you could even argue that you're parodying the original. All of those factors make this sidelong allusion to *that woman* more allowable. But there are few hard and fast rules about fair use. Scott Hutchins wrote: <> Dennis Anfuso (THE WINGED MONKEYS OF OZ) is a Baum purist: no Thompson or later characters, strict adherence to the details Baum described (a blue Woozy, for instance), taking Baum's unanswered questions as his starting points, even including characters based on Baum, Neill, and Denslow. Like Dennis, several folks write Oz stories to explain the prehistory or hidden history of Oz: Hugh Poindexter, Onyx Madden, et al. Ironically this shows both an attachment to Baum's vision--setting stories in his time, attending to the details he left us--and a very non-Baumian concern with consistency and tying off loose ends. I can't speak to writing I haven't seen, of course (save to say I don't recall Baum using the term "lobotomized"), but the qualities you mention don't strike me as what distinguish Baum's Oz tales from his successors'. How can we say events in Thompson's or Neill's books aren't based on what they experienced or knew? Is it just because Baum's life has been studied more closely that we see parallels between it and his books? How do other folks define "Baumian" and "Thompsonian"? Taking Baum's Oz stories as the norm, I see Thompson's Oz deviating from that through: * more concern with marriages, both as the culmination of plots and as a threat to the happy status quo in the Emerald City * more concern with restoring traditional father-mother-children families * more concern with becoming or restoring royalty as the end of the protagonists' journeys; fewer examples and less inquiry about different forms of governance * expansion of the boundaries of Oz's spell, so that outside Oz animals speak, people live forever, and Americans work magic * fewer interesting non-magical Oz folk encountered on journeys, more unusual races of people * more breathless action, without the rests Baum inserts in his compositions (or the anticlimactic pageants he drags us through) * less variation in the personalities of villains * more emphasis on athletic males, less respect for girls' strength * more horses Of course, Baum himself had different modes. After finishing Melody Grandy's DISENCHANTED PRINCESS, I wrestled with why I thought the book wasn't particularly Ozzy. It shows great imagination, intriguing characters, knowledgeable links to the Oz series, plus her lovely art. Finally I realized that to me the saga felt very "Moey." Like Baum's MO, it's a series of short adventures rather than a single journey or conflict culminating in a return or restoration for the protagonist. As in Mo, characters call on much more fantastic powers than the heroes in the Oz stories, where the most strongest magic is kept to the end. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 17:48:47 -0400 From: Ted Nesi Subject: From PEOPLE Online Daily... Judy List , Jim Johnson This is from today's PEOPLE Online Daily: "REUNITED: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, for a Christmas theatrical release of the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz" (in much the same manner "Gone with the Wind" has just reopened). In preparation, the Turner Classic Movies/Rhino Movie Music soundtracks partnership will release "The Story & Songs From 'The Wizard of Oz'," a new, nearly-78 minute audio CD, in stereo, on Sept. 1." I guess it's official! Ted -- *********************************************************** * TED'S LUCILLE BALL PAGE ~ TED'S MUPPET PAGE * * CLASSIC TELEVISION ~ THE UNOFFICIAL "WIZARD OF OZ" PAGE * * http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6066/ * *********************************************************** ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 09 Jul 1998 17:55:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digests past I've been elsewise occupied recently (and ill for a few days) and so must catch up on past Digests I've missed. the 3rd-- re the Magic Picture: Doesn't it allow the watcher to hear sounds of the viewed scene too? (I seem to remember that, but could be wrong.) Dave: Ah, that makes more sense (re keeping the Digest in the original form--you had said you were considering distributing it in HTML, but realized you meant the FAQ). That'll teach you to get your FAQs straight! The 6th-- Ozians for President: Why not the Scarecrow, for that matter? He seems very sensible about most things. The Difference of the Sexes: I think more males enjoy depictions of violence more than most females, judging by what I've seen during my life. (which is why female batterers get off more often) Until next time, Jeremy Steadman http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/9619 ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 11 Jul 98 21:09:30 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things OZ AUTHORSHIP: I'm afraid my writing is neither Baumian or Thompsonian...It's Hardenbrookian. RED DWARF: Scott wrote: >Dave: I take it _Better Than Life_ is a _Red Dwarf_ episode. _Better Than Life_ is both a _Red Dwarf_ episode and a _Red Dwarf_ novel, which expands and fleshes out the corresponding TV episode. _Back to Reality_ is the episode featuring Andy, who "de-briefs" the Dwarfers after they "return" from four years playing the virtual reality game "Red Dwarf"...But it was all a hallucination -- _Red Dwarf_ is the reality, and Andy never existed except in the Dwarfers' minds. Whether he ever returns to plague Dorothy, et. al. remains to be seen... WINKIE CONVENTION: This is probably the last Digest until after the Winkie Convention. I wanted to make this announcement before but didn't have the chance... If anyone is reading this who is going to be at the Convention, be sure to stop at the Oz Research Table to see my two contributions: _Red Dwarf in Oz_, and my essay, "Can Ozma Have It All?" (Both of these are also downloadable from my web page.) -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 12 - 14, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 11:16:17 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Winkies of Oz I got back from the 1998 Winkie Conference last night, and herewith a report: One of the great pleasures was the opportunity of talking at some length with three active Digest members I'd never met before: Barb DeJohn, Atticus Gannaway, and Ken Cope. Barb and her husband Mark (a non-Oz fan, but a nice guy who indulged Barb's interest with good cheer) arrived in time for the Thursday night pre-conference dinner and party, so I met her first. She's every bit as personable as you'd expect from her Digest contributions (which haven't, alas, been as frequent lately as they once were), as well as being a Very Pretty Lady indeed. She's also knowledgeable enough about Oz that she won the adult quiz. Atticus is a very articulate and interesting young guy who was one of my co-judges (the third being Karyl Carlson, co-author of _Queen Ann of Oz_) for the research table entries. I also spent quite a while talking to him at the Saturday night/Sunday morning party, which I left at 3 AM while it was still going fairly strong. And Ken was also a good converstionalist, who very much looks the part of an artist and whose wife Genevieve is another Very Pretty Lady. Other people familiar to the Digest (at least, to those of us who've been around a while) who were present included Lynn Beltz, Herm Beiber, Chris Dulabone, Eric Gjovaag, Peter Hanff, Joel Harris, Estelle and Rebecca Klein, Patrick Maund, and Liz Schaible. Missing, unfortunately, was Robin Olderman, who had been looking forward to the convention greatly but who was stricken with a bad case of sciatica (bad enough to require hospitalization) on the way to her brother's home in Portland, from which she'd planned to drive down to Asilomar. This was the sadder because she was this year's recipient of the Winkie Award for distinguished service to the Winkies, and wasn't able to be present to receive it in person. The pre-conference dinner was a great success, with a fabulous meal at a Caribbean-style restaurant in Pacific Grove quite near the Butterfly Grove Inn where most people who came early were staying. I highly recommend the pre-conference to anyone attending Winkies who isn't on a shoestring budget and can fit in the extra day; the group is much smaller than the main conference, which gives more chance to socialize with the others who are there early. Friday I got over to Asilomar about 12:30 and helped as much as my wonky back would allow in setting up the main meeting room. Then those who were in the cast began rehearsing the "radio play" that the program chairman, Katie Fleming, had written - an adaptation of _Ozma of Oz_. Those you may know in the cast included Lynn Beltz as Roquat, Peter Hanff as Tik-tok, and Liz Schaible as a flapper-esque Dorothy. I watched the rehearsal for a while, since there wasn't much else to do, but then decided it would be better to see it performed without "spoilers" and drifted down to the check-in area to await registering and getting a room. (One of the mild drawbacks to arriving on Thursday is that if you don't have anything specific to do for the convention in the early part of Friday afternoon, there are several hours to kill between having to check out of the Butterfly Grove Inn at 11:00 and being able to check in at Asilomar at 3:00. This is enough time to make filling it something of a nuisance, but not enough to do something serious like touring the Monterey Aquarium or driving down to Big Sur. However, on balance I still think arriving on Thursday is highly desirable if you can afford the time and money.) Last year I was spoiled - I got a room in the building that's right next to the meeting room, so it was easy to nip back to my room for anything I'd forgotten, or to deposit new acquisitions. This year, as every year before the last one, I was in one of the outlying buildings that are 200 yards or more from the meeting rooms; they're enough of a walk to discourage going back and forth, at least if you're like me and have bad feet. However, one takes what one gets. I understand that another conference had pre-empted most of the rooms in the buildings close to the meeting rooms. Friday night's program started with the usual "show and tell," and this was followed by Patrick Maund's reading of Fred Otto's "Oziad" (a telling of the story in - usually quite bad - verse) of _Ozma of Oz_. (The theme of the convention was "Ozma: an Appreciation.") Then David Maxine presented a quite elaborate and very well-done slide show with narration that he and Eric Shanower (who was unable to attend) had prepared (with the title: "The Girl Behind the Poppies; or, Tips on Ozma"). Following that was a party (as usual); that was where I met Ken Cope for the first time. My body was still not fully adjusted to Pacific Time, so I pooped out around midnight and went back to my room. I was awakened in the morning about 7 AM by whoever was above me walking around their room, showering, etc., and took the opportunity to read my share of the entries for the Research Table. One of the fiction entries I had was head and shoulders above the rest; Atticus and Karyl agreed with me that it was the best overall, so it won the fiction prize. Perhaps not unexpectedly, it was by an active Digest member: "Jack Pumpkinhead's Day in Court," by J.L. Bell. So he won the $100 first prize, and is eligible for the grand prize (I think it's $150, but may be $200) along with the winners from Ozmopolitan and Munchkins. The costume contest was rather sparse in entries this time, with only two children and four adults in costume. The children's winner was Lea Thorin as Ozma - it was a very nice costume, and Lea is another Very Pretty Lady, but she has to be getting old enough not to be in the children's competition by next year, surely. I thought she'd be too old this year, but I guess not; she looks more like 16 or 17 than the upper age limit of 14. The adult winner was the Digest's Herm Bieber, reprising his drag version of Dorothy from Ozmopolitan - this time with the addition of lip-synching a tape of "Over the Rainbow," accompanied with a rather elephantine sort of "tip-toe through the tulips" dance. As a costume it wasn't much, but as a presentation it swept all before it. That was followed by the quizzes - I'd won the Master's quiz last time, so I gave it this time. The turnout was small (three people) but the contest was close, with the winner getting 30 of my 40 questions and the other two tying at 29. As I mentioned, Barb DeJohn won the adult quiz, so she gets to give that one next year. After that she'll be competing in the Master's, but since there won't be a Winkie Conference in 2000 she has three years to bone up on her Oz trivia. ;-) This year I helped with the auction by handling the money. (One of my favorite things...though I prefer it when it's Mine!) There were some glitches in the computer database - I'm not sure what caused them (Patrick handled that part of it), but they did slow things down a bit. Still, I had all but $14 collected by shortly after dinner, and got that the next morning. The auction did reasonably well this year, with a gross of a bit over $6000 and a net of nearly $5000 after people had been paid for the material they'd consigned. Auctions are a major source of support for the IWOC (coming close to dues), so they need to do well. That evening Peter Hanff presented the various awards for costumes, quizzes, and the Research Table; we voted for next year's Winkie Award (the winner won't be revealed until next year's convention, of course), and then the Merry Oz Players presented _Ozma of Oz_. There were a few gaffes, as you might expect from something that had been rehearsed maybe twice, but all in all it was a lot of fun and there was much applause at the end. Then, as an unannounced extra, Peter presented the slide show about the Baum family scrapbook that he'd done at Ozmopolitan. After that the Serious Partying got under way; the ice and liquids were rather late arriving, but there was still plenty of time. Hardly anyone seemed to leave before midnight, and although the crowd thinned out slowly there were still well over a dozen people around when I decided shortly after 3 AM that if I were going to get any sleep at all that night (and I'm not young enough any more to pull an all-nighter) I'd better adjourn. Sure enough, my upstairs neighbor was moving around at 7 AM and woke me up. Then there was the Treasure Hunt, which I didn't really participate in, though at the end when Eric Gjovaag was asking the questions that would determine the winner, any time nobody responded after a few beats I usually chimed in with the answer. At one point he asked me why I hadn't participated; I said, "It would seem like cheating." And I think it would, because Katie Fleming had made up the questions, she'd had an advance copy of my Master's Quiz, and a lot of the questions related closely to ones I'd asked. I don't _know_ that she'd used my quiz to make up her questions, but at least the research I'd done making up an Ozma-themed quiz had increased my knowledge of Ozma-related trivia to the point where I felt it would have been unfair for me to compete. And then I settled up a few last items, said some goodbyes, and drove back to San Jose for my flight home. I almost never sleep on airplanes, but then I almost never stay up until 3 AM either; I actually slept nearly an hour and a half, in two stretches, of the three and a half hour flight. It was another great convention, and any of you who can make it next year should do so. Next year's program theme is the 60th anniversary of the MGM movie, but there will be other programming as well, and anyhow the main thing is getting to be with other Oz fans. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 13 Jul 1998 22:17:39 -0400 (EDT) From: JOdel@aol.com Subject: Ozzy whatevers Just a note to mention one of those "small world" observations that will happen from time to time. I was reading my way through the latest M.G. Monfredo mystery (The Stalking Horse) and there are chapter headings made up of quotes from writings of and about the period (1861). One of them was a quoted bit of feminist writing denouncing the fact that women always (in that period, anyway) are stuck having to deal with the fallout of wars that they had no say the declaration of. The quote was identified as being from a "History of Feminisim" volume II (or 2nd edition, but I think that it was volume II) edited by Elizabeth Caddy Stanton, Susan B. Anthony and Matilda Josclyn Gage. ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 15, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 17:53:49 -0400 From: Mark K DeJohn Subject: Ozzy Digest Sender: Mark K DeJohn From Barbara DeJohn I went to my first Oz convention this past weekend. The Winkies were very hospitable and we felt like one of the group in no time. Even my husband who is not a fan had a good time, although it would be hard not to in such a beautiful area. Robin, I hope you are feeling better. I was sorry that you were unable to attend because I wanted to meet you. As it turned out the conference center made a mistake on the rooms and we were only going to have one for friday but since you couldn't come they gave us your room. It was great meeting some of the Digest members. Now I can put a face to the postings. I did end up winning the adult Oz quiz. Only 4 people took the test and I only got alittle more than half of the questions right but It still counts as a victory. Our David Hulan gave the masters quiz and I was really glad I didn't have to take that one. I'll really have to study before the next time. Thanks to everyone for making us so welcome. Ozzily, Barbara DeJohn ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 15:06:32 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 JOdel, I'm sorry but I can make no sense at all out of your "Ozzie whatevers" posting. Has it become truncated somehow, or am I just particularly dense? I see no application to Oz in any way, shape or form. Bob Spark ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 20:40:22 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 << One of the fiction entries I had was head and shoulders above the rest; Atticus and Karyl agreed with me that it was the best overall, so it won the fiction prize. Perhaps not unexpectedly, it was by an active Digest member: "Jack Pumpkinhead's Day in Court," by J.L. Bell. >> John, please send me a copy of this story. I'll have a scanner soon, so a xerox will be fine. (Gee, it feels odd to be thinking of future _Ozianas_ when the current one's not even set up yet.) David, thanks for the report on the Winkie Conference. I hear that Lynn was dandy as a gnome! And Ken does, indeed, look "artsy." He's a good-lookin' sonuvagun with long, beautiful hair that, IMHO, shouldn't be wasted on a guy. (O.K. So sue me for a sexist remark.) Pete Hanff, I'm told, looked rather fetching in a colander: he played Tik Tok. Atty hasn't done much more than lurk in the Digest lately, which is a shame (this is your Jewish mama talking, son) 'cause he's got a lot to contribute. I, too, heartily recommend attending the Winkie Conference. The setting is nothing short of gorgeous, and the people are quite warm and friendly. As for the down time on Friday morning and early afternoon, there's so much to do around Carmel and Monterey that there's no time to get bored. If you don't have access to town, walk the beach, stroll in the woods, read under a tree... just mellow out. You probably won't be alone unless you want to be, since you'll have met folks already on Thursday night. How ironic that I couldn't attend this year. I'm thrilled (and surprised) that I won the Winkie Award and regret that I couldn't be there to accept it. It turns out that I don't have sciatica. Instead, I've been blessed with another episode of DJD, degenerative joint disease. It's part of the package with osteoarthritis. I was doubled over--literally-- and ended up spending four days in the hospital in Oregon. I'm definitely better now, so don't worry 'bout it, folks. Just lousy timing for a bone spur to mess up some big nerve in the sacroiliac. All weekend I looked at the clock and thought to myself "Now they're doing this" or "Now they're doing that." Ken and/or Pete, would you tell us your impressions of the Rob-Roy auction at PBA? (That's another thing I didn't get to attend. Grrrrrr.) I think a report on it might be of interest to Digest members. Well, I laughed my head off (figuratively) at an Oz connection in a dumb movie last night. It was the Jack Lemmon/James Garner ex-president movie. They meet a guy in a gay pride parade. The laugh is that the guy is part of a band of Marching Dorothys. I cracked up. Over a dozen men in Dorothy costume, wigs and ruby slippers and all, marching and playing in a band. Herm, dear, they made me think of you in your Dorothy toggery. --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:17:20 -0500 From: jwkenne@ibm.net Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-25-98 (RE-SEND) Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky wrote: >*Grumble, grumble* if it weren't non-ozzy, I'd mention to Mr. Steadman that >traditional judaism doesn't place women inferior to men, either, but since >most >(except perhaps the Adelmans) will not believe me, no point in being >flamebait for >a non-Ozy topic *grumble, grumble* Well, it certainly does according to the definitions of the feminist mainstream. In traditional Judaism, a woman cannot be a rabbi. (And in _really_ traditional Judaism, a woman could not be a priest.) By standard contemporary feminist definition, this is, in and of itself, placing women inferior to men. (I am entirely familiar with the arguments against this position, but there are many who absolutely will not be answered by those arguments.) David Hulan wrote: >According to at least one eminent Byzantine historian, the destruction of >the libraries of Constantinople by the Fourth Crusade destroyed the last >surviving copies of more classical writings than were lost in all the >burnings of the Library of Alexandria. Hmmm.... If by "Byzantine historian" you mean an actual Byzantine, I'd be inclined to be careful about accepting such statements at face value; there's a lot of hatred in that part of the world to this very day. Even if you mean a modern scholar of Byzantine history, I rather suspect the statement owes more to rhetoric than to solid fact; I don't think actual numbers exist (not to mention that a much later event would naturally be more likely to cost "last surviving copies"). None of this, of course, is to suggest that most of the dealings of the Crusaders with Byzantium were anything but inexcusable no matter how you look at it. >(Chesterton insisted Jews weren't >persecuted in the Middle Ages, either. Yeah, right.) Chesterton could certainly be naive on the subject, but in the passage that immediately comes to mind, I believe he only maintains that Jews were not, as a rule, casually mistreated by force of law any time a local lord felt like it, no matter what modern novelists say. >Hanging was the >punishment _in England_. On the Continent they definitely did burn witches; Indeed, I appear to have misremembered on that point. >And it was on the Continent that >the witch-hunting hysteria was most pronounced, in particular in Roman >Catholic areas; Protestant countries, for whatever reason, seem to have >been less susceptible to it, though there were certainly major outbreaks in >Sweden and the Protestant part of Germany as well. A woman was burned as a >witch in Bordeaux as late as 1728. Trials (at least, I don't know about convictions) continued in Germany until 1793. As to Catholic-vs.-Protestant _countries_, I can't speak generally, but in Britain, it seems to have peaked under the Commonwealth. >And Yiddish is a dialect of German >that's no more different from standard German than many other dialects that >are still considered German, but it's written in the Hebrew alphabet. Hmmm.... I don't know about that; it's been culturally severed from German for centuries, and has a _lot_ of Hebrew, Polish, and other non-German elements in the vocabulary. Where it remains similar to German, it's fairly close, but it diverges often. Of course, hundreds of years ago, it was still written with the Hebrew alphabet, and was much closer to German. >But I wouldn't be surprised to see a Western revival >on TV one year soon; they're relatively cheap to produce and I suspect kids >would still like them. Not a kiddy western in the old style -- too violent. But indeed, role-playing costumes (except for Halloween) seem to have dropped out of American children's society in general. Where are the kiddy "Star Trek" uniforms? (I'd rather "Babylon 5", but that's another issue.) Police and fireman outfits? // John W Kennedy ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:00:22 -0500 From: jwkenne@ibm.net Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-18-98 Nathan Mulac DeHoff wrote: >Actually, I've heard that the original text was closer to "poisoner" >than "witch." Maybe someone who has seen an earlier edition of the >Bible could help with this. The Hebrew words translated "witch", "witchcraft", etc., have no resemblance to any of the Hebrew words translated "poison", etc. There may be some non-Biblical evidence I'm not aware of, but it appears that the "witch" words ("kashaph", etc.) have no obvious cognates. There is also not much that can be derived from the text about what a "kashaph" is, except that it is a Bad Person. A study of early translations (the Targums, the Septuagint, etc.) might reveal something of interest; so would study of the Old Latin and Vulgate; I don't have access to those. (Note that the "witch" of Endor is not called such, in either Hebrew or King James.) // John W Kennedy ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 07 Jul 1998 19:12:01 -0500 From: jwkenne@ibm.net Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 06-22-98 Mark Anthony Donajkowski wrote: >un not wicca or most pagan religions >they are equal nad in most cases the woman is above the man Make that "wicca and most other 20th-century neo-pagan religions." It certainly isn't true of historical paganism. // John W Kennedy ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 21:34:27 -0400 From: Richard Bauman Subject: Today's Oz Growls Sender: Richard Bauman David - Thanks for the great summary of Winkies. I have been to a lot of Great Books weekends at Asilomar. Winkies sounds similar. I am sorry I couldn't make it again. Hopefully next year. Robin - I hope you are feeling better back there "deep in the heart of." However, I heard it has been 110 F there. Yikes. Congratulations on your award. David didn't mention who took over as Billina. Dave - Is it time to call for the next book? Regards, Bear (:<) ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 21:56:28 -0400 (EDT) From: MShields2u@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 Thank you for your report...... Do you or any of your Digest Members know of any Books or Web Sites dedicated to the illustrations created by Mr. Denslow and Mr. Neill for the OZ series of books written by L. Frank Baum. The copies of the OZ books in our library lack the Art. Mike Shields MShields2u@aol.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 14 Jul 1998 22:57:17 -0500 From: "R. M. Atticus Gannaway" Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 Just my small additions to David Hulan's remarkably thorough account of the Winkie Conference... The DeJohns were among the first people I encountered upon reaching Asilomar. They were both very personable, although Mark was understandably quieter. In fact, I'm sure I had the poor man squirming as Barbara and I chatted at great length throughout dinner until well after most of the other Ozites had left the dining room. David Hulan was also a pleasure to meet, and, as he mentioned, we conversed at some length outside of our judging duties for the Research Table. Meeting Ken Cope and Genevieve Moore was likewise a pleasure, and I sat with them during the second half of the auction. I saw some very interesting computer animation stuff which Ken had contributed to the contents of one of those too-thick computer graphics tomes. Although I spoke less with Genevieve than with Ken, she nevertheless came across as quite charming. Robin Olderman (aka my honorary Jewish mother) was, of course, greatly missed. I met many other cool people, including my roommate, Ryan Bunch (who did the music for the radio play expertly), Liz Schaible, who is almost too much fun, Herm Bieber, and Lynn and Betsy Beltz, who graciously gave me a ride to the airport as well as a neat "Ozma's Court Member" button. I also saw for the second time Chris Dulabone, my publisher and friend for the past nine years, as well as Peter Hanff, who is not only a swell guy and good storyteller (and remembered my drink-of-choice when he bought the party beverages) but also amused me to no end with his Tik-Tok costume for the radio play, consisting of a bowl atop his head. Patrick Maund was both able and amusing (or is that abusing but amiable?) as auctioneer on Saturday afternoon. I got little sleep (perhaps 10 or 11 hours total for the two nights), but it was worth it, I was still energized, and the Conference was a blast. I'll definitely be back next year (despite the MGM theme!) for more fun. If I forgot to mention anyone, it's because I didn't know you were on the Digest. If so, gimme a holler. Atticus * * * "...[T]here is something else: the faith of those despised and endangered that they are not merely the sum of damages done to them." Visit my webpage at http://members.aol.com/atty993 ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 15 Mar 1998 22:43:36 -0700 From: Josh Casper Subject: Wizard Of Oz [Could someone who knows more about Pink Floyd than I do comment to this person? -- Dave] Thanks for clarifying that, I've personally actually never seen this myth, I've only heard about it. But it any case, I would still like a list of similar instinces. As an avid Ozzer (cool name, uh!) Did you ever see the links between Pink Floyd albums and Oz (among numerous other films)? This may be in your page, havn't checked it out yet :) -- jasper12@aros.net http://www.aros.net/~tjhauge/ ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 11:40:16 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: Winkies of Oz report Sender: "J. L. Bell" Thanks to Dave Hulan for the thorough and thoroughly enviable report on the Winkie Convention. I was, of course, especially pleased that "Jack Pumpkinhead's Day in Court" won the fiction prize. I'm grateful to Dave, Atticus, and Karyl for giving their time to judge all the entries. And I send particular thanks to Peter Hanff, who in the 5/8 Digest encouraged folks to send him material for the Oz Research Tables. If he hadn't, that story would still be sitting on my hard drive. A lesson for us all! J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 10:40:22 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest I was offline for a couple of weeks there with an office move, but now the machines are hooked up again, so -- Barbara Johnson: Your study of the whole run of Baum's newspaper sounds worthwhile (also fun) -- hope you'll be publishing some articles out of this. J.L. I think the equivalent for boys of Pleasant Company dolls might be knights-in-armor, although the examples of current stories about knights-in-armor that occur to me are fantasy rather than historicals. The late Barbara Cohen's last book was a picture-book retelling of the meeting of "Robin Hood and Little John," and the focus of the retelling suggests that it was aimed slightly more for boys than girls (although no doubt aimed at both), so presumably there's still some kind of market for historicals for boys. The portrayal of the spaceman doll and the western hero doll in the recent Disney "Toy Story" plays on the disappearance of cowboys as of interest to boys at present, but it maybe wouldn't have been used if cowboys had disappeared entirely? Gordon Birrell: Any chance you'd like to write a story (I assume Robin would be interested in a story based on Baum's other fantasy books for "Oziana," even if the action didn't get to Oz or Nonestica) about the Demon of Electricity's 2001 visit? Nathan DeHoff: I don't think the restoration of Corumbia and Corabia would necessarily mean that Sir Hokus would get his armor at home. He might still go on getting it from the specialists at Troth. The name "Hokus" might itself be taken as meaning prior-to-"Yellow Knight," but there are enough references to him as Hokus later on to suggest that the people who had known him a long time by that name were still using it. Robin Olderman: On Oz as a place without gender bias -- starting out with a long string of books by a man most often featuring a girl protagonist, and switching to a long string of books by a woman most often featuring a boy protagonist (not counting the protagonists who repeat the girls invented by the man), it has an unusually strong basis for avoiding bias. Jeremy Steadman: Nancy Tystad Koupal's introduction to her edition of Baum's "Our Landlady" essays includes a good discussion of Baum as a feminist of sorts. David Hulan & J.L. Bell: On documenting rocket-rides -- the Minnesota State Fair had a rocket ride in 1944. One of my brothers rode on it and wrote excitedly to my father overseas about it (the letter is included in my book "Dear Poppa"). Bea Premack: Not exactly the same thing, but "Lost Princess" has spinning mountains named the Merry-Go-Round Mountains. (Hey, Dave, isn't it time to set a date to begin "Lost Princess" discussion?) An American circusman (but probably an animal tamer rather than a clown, as he appears re-capturing an escaped baboon) is in Baum's "Queer Visitors from the Land of Oz" ("How the Adventurers Encountered an Unknown Beast") If you follow J. L. Bell's suggestion of using a Stone-like Scarecrow as a clown, it might be appropriate to have also a Patchwork Girl clown. Steve Teller: Your idea that the Fairy Beaver King might have given Ozma his magic picture or one like it is appealing. The origins in fan- written stories (mentioned by Nathan DeHoff and David Hulan), Onyx Madden's, as a gift from Tititi-hoochoo; or Fred Otto's, artifact from a place of his own invention, Amber City; or J. L. Bell's suggestion of Lurline as giver are equally plausible, but the FBK has the advantage of already having a magic picture according to Baum's own account. (I should be able to catch up the rest of the way next time.) Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 14:08:11 -0400 (EDT) From: ZMaund@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 In a message dated 7/14/98 2:46:56 PM Pacific Daylight Time, DaveH47@delphi.com (David Hulan) writes: << There were some glitches in the computer database - I'm not sure what caused them (Patrick handled that part of it), but they did slow things down a bit. >> My thanks to David and Paul and Liz for all their help at the Winkie auction. There was, however, no "glitch" in the computer database; it's a very simple and bulletproof application. The auction went fast, probably the fastest in years. It ran barely an hour and a half, which is indeed quick like the proverbial bunny. When you move at such a hectic pace, mistakes happen. It's the ol' human error, which I believe David was actually referencing, because as we all know, computers cannot make mistakes. (!) Actually, I thought the time it took to collect the money at Winkies was about on par with the other conventions... My thanks also to everyone who assisted for months in the preparation of the auction, especially Herm Bieber and Robin Olderman. Finally, my particular thanks to all who bid on the auction material! Patrick Maund ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 17:22:59 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 > Missing, unfortunately, was Robin > Olderman, who had been looking forward to the convention greatly but who > was stricken with a bad case of sciatica (bad enough to require > hospitalization) on the way to her brother's home in Portland, from which > she'd planned to drive down to Asilomar. This was the sadder because she > was this year's recipient of the Winkie Award for distinguished service to > the Winkies, and wasn't able to be present to receive it in person. This is a dumb question, but what is sciatica? It souunds painful, and I hope she gets better soon! ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 17:29:29 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 I sent this accidentally before I intended; here;s the rest of my posting, including the reason I quoted this passage: > This year I helped with the auction by handling the money. (One of my > favorite things...though I prefer it when it's Mine!) We all wish that, as I found when counting money in the office of my old high school when I worked there this summer... David Hulan: So the key is to be tired? I'll have to remember that ... I can never sleep on planes ... At least not on planes here on my own plane . . . Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 98 15:38:10 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things BCF: I'm considering our starting _Lost Princess_ in two weeks...How does that sound? CONVENTION: Thanks to those who have submitted reports on the Winkie Convention! Also, Congrats to Robin for winning the Winkie Award and to J.L. Bell for his fiction prize for "Jack Pumpkinhead's Day in Court"! (Great story, especially to a diehard Jellia fan like me!) Maybe someday I will be able to come to a Convention myself... DIGESTS: Just to let everyone know, I'm receiving such a large number of E-mails from people saying they didn't receive the Digest for July 9-11 that I'm resending it...Hope it doesn't go into a black hole this time! -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 16 - 18, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 21:17:27 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-11-98 I just saw a TV commercial for the rerelease of the MGM Wizard. Due out for Christmas, and it's been remastered. Joy! ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 21:10:50 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-15-98 << (I assume Robin would be interested in a story based on Baum's other fantasy books for "Oziana," even if the action didn't get to Oz or Nonestica) >> Safe assumption. I don't think anything like that's ever been in _Oziana_, but if it fits the tone of the magazine, why not? Not only is Oz unbiased about gender, but it's also fairly free of ageism. That's carried over to IWOC. I may have mentioned this before, so I'll be brief, but teens find they are accepted as full equals at conventions. Jeremy/Kiex: This is a dumb question, but what is sciatica? It souunds painful, and I hope she gets better soon! It's not dumb, so don't worry. There is a main nerve in the back, the sciatic nerve. When it gets inflamed, the back of the hip and leg hurt a whole lot. Thanks for the good wishes. Kathy Gire, why do you just lurk here on the Digest? Speak up, gal! :o) ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 22:30:28 -0400 (EDT) From: JOdel@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-11-98 Recieved OD for the 14th on the 14th. Recieved OD for the 15th on the 15th. Recieved OD for the 11th, on the 15th... Oh. Well. The Matilda Josclyn Gage mentioned as an editor of the book containing the quoted chapter heading was Baum's mother-in-law. It has been mentioned before that she was active in the 19th century feminist movement. It had not been mentiond just how illustrous the company she kept among the "greats" of that movement. ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 22:50:00 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones Baumian and Thompsonian: IMHO, a "Baumian" style stresses the wonder, innocence and beauty of Oz, while a Thompsonian style is more action-oriented. Despite the fact that most of the big guns in Baum were girls while Thompson used boys, I would not consider that a deciding factor. The use of children of a specific gender is more of a plot device than a writing style, although the two are obviously closely linked. A distinction is also made with a "Baum purist". That is, one who writes as if only the Baum 14 had been written before, ignoring any Thompsonian history, for example. This does not necessarily mean that the author writes in the Baumian style, though. Scott: Yes, Dad did rule downtown, but his wife ruled him. David H: Of course, we don't meet Peter and Speedy until (presumably) some time after their parents have left them. Therefore, they may have made the adjustement already, and a sudden shift to Oz may be easier for them to take. Jeremy (Kiex): Sometimes, you can hear the sound, and sometimes you can't. In _Emerald City_, they could hear if they listened carefully. In a Thompson book (I forget which), the Wizard amplifies the Picture with a device and they can hear fine. The Magic Picture, like all other magical items, waxes and wanes in its power throughout the FF and beyond. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 22:21:28 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: Oz and ends from 7/11 Sender: "J. L. Bell" Dave Hardenbrook wrote: <> Sounds like it will fall right atop the Munchkin Convention, when I expect several Digest contributors may be away from their computers and their collections. [I'll be on the road for the first half of August as well, but doubt folks want to hold off the discussion for a whole nother month from now.] Mike Turniansky: <> Not even in Ozma's Oz? [Ellen Raskin's excellent MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF LEON (I MEAN NOEL) has one storyline hinging on whether a sister and brother could have been Siamese twins.] About the Magic Picture Jeremy Steadman asked: <> I recall this feature appearing, too, when it was most convenient for the Oz chronicler. I didn't find that passage convincing. In TIK-TOK the Shaggy Man uses a separate magical device when he wants to get a message to Ozma, even though he assumes she's watching him in the Picture. And in OZMAPOLITAN, the Wizard enchants the Picture so that it temporarily allows two-way communication with Tim's family. J. L. Bell wrote: <> But evidently Mr. Bell forgot the Love Magnet. John W. Kennedy wrote: <> Indeed. Popular notions have transformed the "woman who hath a familiar spirit" into a witch, even in the running head of my KJV. I wonder if the phrase "witch of Endor" comes from the Tyndale translation. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 15 Jul 1998 23:43:29 -0700 From: belgrave Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-14-98 Hi all, Just read all about the Winkie Convention thanks to David Hulan, who made me feel like I had been there. How fun. Sounds like attendees had a great time and the rest of us can just dream ourselves there for this year. I hope to go next year as well as the y2k convention. I always plan on it and something always happens. Well I WILL make it sometime. Is the Winkie Convention always the second weekend in July? Are the dates next year July 9-12? Is it at the same location? Oh, I'm full of questions. So here's what I understand what happens at this conventions. (Please correct me if I am wrong and please fill me in on anything I left out) Thursday night pre-conference dinner and party adult quiz judges for the research table entries Thurday night The pre-conference dinner (for early arrivals) Friday night usual "show and tell," (Is this on any Ozzy items?) reading of somthing Ozzy slide show with narration Following that was a party (as usual) Saturday Research Table --- What is this? costume contest (adult and childrens)I assume following the yearly theme? quizzes (adult and childrens) If you win you give it the next year? auction Sunday Treasure Hunt Robin, hope all is better for you. Don't tell me you were in Portland in the hospital!!! I would have rushed in to see you and at least brought you a book and a smile! Dave, Lost Princess in two weeks is great for me. SincOZly, Barbara B ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 10:01:44 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest David Hulan: Thanks for the Winkiecon report. How nice to hear that Robin Olderman received Winkie service award -- and what a pity she wasn't in attendance (Robin: glad to hear the joints are better). J. L. Bell's "Pumpkinhead" story sounds interesting -- will hope to read it in a future "Oziana." Bob Spark: The Ozzy connection to Joyce Odell's quotation from an early feminist work is that one of its editors was Matilda Joslyn Gage, who was Baum's mother-in-law. (If you look back at the Digests for the past few weeks, various people had interesting comments on ways that she might have influenced Baum.) J.L. Bell: I think Thompson must have read most of Baum's non-Oz fairy tales as well as the Oz books. One of her stories in her Philadelphia "Public Ledger" page, "The Magic Cloak," seems (from the title and the plot device of starting the action by having the bored fairies weave a magic wishing cloak to give a mortal) to have grown out of thinking about "Queen Zixi of Ix." And although she could have gotten the same information out of "Road" plus the "Tik-Tok" map, her references to Ix, Loland, Merryland, Noland, and Sky Island (mostly in "Wishing Horse" and "Captain Salt," although the Sky Island reference is in "Giant Horse") also suggest familarity with the Borderlands stories. Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 10:32:28 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-11-98 7/11: J.L.: >JOHN >DOUGH says the same thing (as might the TWINKLE AND CHUBBINS books, but I >can't stomach them long enough to find out). I've read the T&C books, though it was a while ago, and as far as I recall they never left the US; their adventures are magical, but deal with talking animals in our world rather than travel to fairylands. > JOHN DOUGH and SKY ISLAND are also the only Baum novels that come to my >mind in which magic is worked by mortals in America, not by fairies and/or >from fairyland. There's THE MASTER KEY, depending on whether you regard the Demon of Electricity's gifts as being magical or scientific. (Cf. Clarke's famous dictum that any technology sufficiently advanced is indistinguishable from magic.) And several of Baum's short stories in AMERICAN FAIRY TALES have magic working in the US, but they're not novels. I don't recall an explosion associated with Benny's transportation to Oz; that is, the excavation he fell into had been created by blasting, but well before he fell into it. > Like Dennis, several folks write Oz stories to explain the prehistory or >hidden history of Oz: Hugh Poindexter, Onyx Madden, et al. Ironically this >shows both an attachment to Baum's vision--setting stories in his time, >attending to the details he left us--and a very non-Baumian concern with >consistency and tying off loose ends. You could add me to that group, though neither of my books in that vein have been published so far. I pretty much agree with your definition of the difference between Baumian and Thompsonian Oz books. By those standards my work is more Baumian. And I agree with your assessment of DISENCHANTED PRINCESS; while it's a very fine book indeed, it reminded me more of THE SWORD IN THE STONE than the canonical Oz books by any author. It's true it's more like Mo than Oz, but I didn't find it all that much like Mo either; it's much more realistic than MMMo. Jeremy: >the 3rd-- >re the Magic Picture: >Doesn't it allow the watcher to hear sounds of the viewed scene too? (I seem >to remember that, but could be wrong.) Sometimes it seems to, and sometimes not. It's one of the inconsistencies in the books. 7/15 (nothing to say about 7/14, since I wrote most of it): Bob Spark: The Ozzy point in Joyce's post was that one of the authors of the book she cited was Maud Joslyn Gage, Baum's mother-in-law. Robin: Yes, Lynn was dandy as a Nome. Her sister Betsy was also in the cast as Kaliko (in the play, the identity of Roquat's Chief Steward was specific, as it wasn't in the book). And I think Peter's headgear as Tik-tok is better characterized as a sieve than a colander, at least as I understand the terms. (What we call a colander is a solid metal bowl with a lot of holes punched in it; his headgear was a bowl-shaped device mostly composed of woven wire.) Oh, killing time between checkout at BGI and checkin at Asilomar isn't difficult; I just thought I'd mention to people that there is that gap that they need to recognize they'll have to fill. Since I don't know whether sciatica is better or worse than DJD I don't know what to say about the new diagnosis - other than that whatever it was, it had a lousy sense of timing! (Not that there's ever a good time for intense pain, but this one seemed almost maximally bad.) We missed you a lot. John K.: I meant an eminent modern historian of Byzantium. I don't vouch for the accuracy of his estimate by any means; I just mentioned it as something I've read. >But indeed, role-playing costumes (except for Halloween) seem to have >dropped out of American children's society in general. Where are the >kiddy "Star Trek" uniforms? (I'd rather "Babylon 5", but that's another >issue.) Police and fireman outfits? I did see one little kid dressed in a Batman costume at Asilomar (not part of the Winkie group), but I'll agree that I don't remember seeing many kids dressed in costumes lately except at Halloween or other formal costume-oriented occasions (like the costume parade at Winkies). Of course, I don't remember that many kids wearing costumes of that sort routinely when I was a kid, either, except for the toy guns and holsters that went with cowboy role-play. Chaps, vests, 10-gallon hats, etc. were usually reserved for special occasions. (I can remember having a Marine dress uniform outfit and a Mountie outfit when I was a kid, but not wearing them except for costume parties.) Bear: Billina was played very capably by Carrie Hedges, the other Chicagoland representative at Winkies. I don't say Robin wouldn't have been better, but Carrie did very well, especially since her role is probably the biggest one in the show. Mike S.: >The copies of the OZ books in our library >lack the Art. How regrettable! What editions do they have? I thought just about all modern editions, except the really cheap PBs like those produced by Wal-Mart, had the b/w illustrations, if not the color. (Not for WIZARD, probably, at least many of the illustrations, because they were published overlapping text, but for the others.) I don't know of a Web site with illustrations (that is, with many illustrations - I know a few with one or two), but there might be one somewhere. But you should encourage your library to buy the Books of Wonder/Morrow editions of Baum and the Books of Wonder editions of later books; they're not expensive by the standards of contemporary books, and they're beautifully done, with all the color plates as well (for those books that had them). Ruth: Interesting point - I think Thompson's only new female protagonist for her books was Handy Mandy; though Peg Amy, Urtha, Marygolden, Gureeda, and Planetty are all important characters, they take a back seat to their male counterparts in the books where they appear. Even when she uses one of the established female characters, there's usually a male character who takes precedence, the exceptions being Dorothy in ROYAL BOOK and WISHING HORSE and Jellia in OZOPLANING. And conversely the only really strong juvenile male lead in Baum is Inga; Ojo is a wimp and Zeb and Woot seem to mostly be along for the trip without having much input into what happens. Thanks for the confirmation of rocket rides in the 1944. Since I seriously doubt that anyone was building carnival rides in the 1940-44 period, that would almost certainly imply that they date back into the '30s, as I suggested. Patrick: I tried to select my words carefully - not that there was a glitch in the software, which probably worked perfectly, but in the database, which is the information that could be found in the computer. I didn't know why the information was incorrect, though human error was certainly the most plausible reason, but there was incorrect information that did hold up the processing somewhat. Whether it was held up longer than usual deponent saith not, since this is the first time I've been involved. Jeremy: Someone else may have a better definition for you, but the sciatic nerve is a big one that runs down the back of the thigh, and sciatica is the term for when it's causing a lot of pain, for any of several reasons (I think). Dave: Two weeks to start the _Lost Princess_ discussion sounds reasonable. Although two weeks from today is the day I leave for the Munchkin Convention; could we make it August 3, or else start it by July 28 so I can be home for the start of the discussion? (_Lost Princess_ is my favorite of the Baum Oz books.) David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 14:23:57 -0700 From: "Stephen J. Teller" Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-11-98 > Subject: ozkids > > Don't know nothing much about them, but when to the webpage that > Scott suggested: got one thing to say to their creators: get a clue! > Boris and Bela cannot be "identical twins" *sigh* > --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky > In a world where Scarecrows and Tin Woodmen can become biological parents, I do not know why talking lions of different sexes cannot be "identical" twins. > I can't speak to writing I haven't seen, of course (save to say I don't > recall Baum using the term "lobotomized"), Neither did Neill use the term "lobotimized." Jenny Jump has some "character flaws" removed including envy. There was a more definite lobotomy in Baum, when the Wizard removes the Glass Cat's pink brains and replaces them with colorless ones, for which the pitiful creature thanks him. > How do other folks define "Baumian" and "Thompsonian"? Taking Baum's Oz > stories as the norm, I see Thompson's Oz deviating from that through: > * more concern with marriages, both as the culmination of plots and as a > threat to the happy status quo in the Emerald City However both TIK-TOK and SCARECROW do have marriages as plot culminations. > * more concern with restoring traditional father-mother-children families > * more concern with becoming or restoring royalty as the end of the > protagonists' journeys; fewer examples and less inquiry about different > forms of governance But RINKITINK does restore the royal families of Pim\ngaree and Boboland. > * expansion of the boundaries of Oz's spell, so that outside Oz animals > speak, people live forever, and Americans work magic > * fewer interesting non-magical Oz folk encountered on journeys, more > unusual races of people But Baum startred this in EMERALD CITY and PATCHWORK GIRL > * more breathless action, without the rests Baum inserts in his > compositions (or the anticlimactic pageants he drags us through) > * less variation in the personalities of villains This may be a judgment call. Skamperoo is a very different villain from Mustapha > * more emphasis on athletic males, less respect for girls' strength This is true, Baum's protagonists are mostly girls; Thompson's are mostly boys > * more horses Certainly. > > J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com > It is largely a matter of degree. Thompson's books tend to be more episodic, contain more irrelevant incidents (IEs) than Baum's, and the theme of the attempted conquest of Oz or the "Return of the King" although used by Baum, are more frequent in Thompson. I believe Thompson did not take Oz as seriously as Baum did (And Baum did not take it as seriously as many members of the Ozzy Digest do.) She was interested in telling a story, and little else. Steve T. ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 30 Jun 1998 17:19:36 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Fw: Aberdeen Festival X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Dave...sent this to you and it was not included in the last digest. Do you sometimes wait a couple days, or did it not get to you before?? Thanks, Bea ---------- > From: Bea & Herschel Premack > To: DaveH47@delphi.com > Subject: Aberdeen Festival > Date: Friday, June 26, 1998 10:36 AM > > The program for the Chautauqua portion of our Festival is now pretty well > set and want to share it with you. It will be booked as "In Baum's > Victorian Parlor" or some such yet to be decided and will be in a big > tent in the park. > Our speakers will be: > Nancy Koupal: Director of Publications, SD Historical Society and editor & > annotator of "Our Landlady" > Dr. Mark West: Prof of English, Univ of No Carolina-Charlotte > Frank Pommersheim: School of Law, Univ of SD > Dr. Barbara Johnson: instructor American Lit and journalism background > Billie Smith: publisher of the Aberdeen American News > > The Saturday program includes: > Welcome by L Frank Baum (local actor and playwright Rod Evans will reenact > the character then serve as emcee) > West: "Visions of Home and the Role of Native American Legend in Baum's > work" > Koupal: "The Duel on Main Street: Baum's Battle on Main Street: An > Episode in Personal Mythmaking" > Panel discussion moderated by Smith > Pommersheim: The political and judicial history of Baum's time, focusing > on Indian Treaty matters. > Johnson: "LFB Newspaper editor--the Man in the Middle"....a closer look at > the newspaper and his editorials > Program also includes performance by Native American Dancer Stephanie Bare > Red Elk, music by our local Barbershop Chorus > > Sunday program: in a lighter mode > West: "Visions of Home" connecting Baums work to his Dakota experiences > "The Musical Times of L Frank Baum": Lecture and performance by a > Victorian singing quartet > Kevin Locke: Native American Hoop Dancer and flutist > Performance of Oz Medley by Show Choir from Sioux Falls SD > City Band Concert featuring music of Baum's time > > Obviously, our program reflects our title: L Frank Baum Oz Festival---the > Dakota Heritage. > We are encouraging research on the newspapers. > Our intention is to have the University video the programs and run them on > their TV channel, then keep copies for circulation in our libraries. > > Bea > > ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 20:56:49 -0400 (EDT) From: RMDrummer@aol.com Subject: The Metaphysical OZ Dave; Our Metaphysical New Thought church (The Denver Church of Religious Science) is planning a program Starting in Late September and continuing through mid November, covering the metaphysical messages throughout The Wizard of OZ. Are you familiar with any resources on this perspective? Dorothy's search outside of herself (to OZ) to find what she had all along The Message of the Tin man, Lion, and Scarecrow The witches and what they may represent The return to Kansas The story appears to have so much to offer about self-empowerment. Anything you, or others, could offer would be of great help. Thanks, Rev. Jim Chandler RelScience@aol.com ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 16 Jul 1998 21:34:54 -0400 From: Jill Moore Subject: Personalized Full-Color Wizard of Oz Address Labels & Business Cards To all my Oz friends: I very much enjoy creating these personalized Wizard of Oz labels for my friends, who told me I had to stop being selfish and share this with other Oz lovers. I know how much I love using mine and get great joy from seeing others enjoy theirs too. Here's the scoop on design and purchasing: Personalized Full-Color Wizard of Oz Address Labels & Business Cards * each page of 30 labels will have 30 different mixed images from the movie, or your choice of the following categories: * Dorothy (just Dorothy and occasionally Toto, too!) * The Witches!! (The Wicked Witch & Glinda) * The Emerald City & The Wizard of Oz Himself! * The Three Friends (our beloved Scarecrow, Cowardly Lion and Tinman) * Book Covers, replicas of the covers from books designed and written by L. Frank Baum, Ruth Plumly Thompson, and other familiar Oz authors * a variety of Ozzy logos and emblems * there is an initial set-up fee charged for 1 sheet of 30 labels at $3.00; if you want additional sheets to also have 30 different images from the initial sheet, the set-up fee would apply to any additional sheets created (this is a one-time only fee); your file is saved to disk and future printings will not be charged a set-up fee, only printing charges for the labels as shown below * for $1 extra per sheet of 30 labels, you may have a different font for each label (one-time only set-up fee) * for $1 extra per sheet of 30 labels, you may have each font on each label a different color (one-time only fee) * after the initial set-up fees are paid (one-time only fee), additional labels and future printings are charged as follows: * 1 sheet only $3.00 per sheet of 30 labels * 2-5 sheets 2.25 per sheet of 30 labels * 6-9 sheets 1.75 per sheet of 30 labels * 10+ sheets 1.25 per sheet of 30 labels * if you do not specify a category, you will receive a sheet of 30 mixed labels * the customer is responsible for any mis-printings caused by their incorrect input of address information; if it is my error, the printing will be corrected at no charge * purchaser to pay S/H Example: You order 1 sheet of 30 labels; you will be charged $3 plus $1.50 S/H; your file will be kept for future printings; in three months you order 5 sheets of labels, it would only cost $11.25; if you ordered one sheet of labels it would cost $3.00 Example: You order ten sheets of labels, and request that five of the sheets have different pictures (250 images); the initial set-up fee of $3 per sheet would apply to each sheet for a total of $15, but since you ordered ten sheets of labels the second set of five sheets would be printed at $2.25/sheet for a total of $11.25 additional; you also want each font to be a different style on these five sheets, which would be an additional $5 charged ($1/sheet); your total for these ten sheets of labels is $31.25 plus S/H. Remember, this set-up is saved to disk so if in three months you order ten sheets to be printed, your cost would be only $12.50 plus S/H. Personalized Full-Color Wizard of Oz Business Cards * using 65-lb stock with a rainbow striped border on the left side and a single rainbow stripe on the top, I will create a beautiful and effective business card for you or your company * each card will include a beautiful full-color or sepia graphic from the movie using any category of your choice (described under labels); your company name will be prominently noted and your specialty (if any), and any other information you desire such as your email address, mailing address, or phone number * initial set-up fee for graphics, lay-out and design will be $20.00 per sheet of 10 business cards (all business cards will be sold in minimum printings of 100 cards unless otherwise arranged); if you want additional sheets to be created with different graphics and/or fonts, that charge will apply to any additional sheets as a set-up fee. This is a one-time charge only! * after initial set-up fee, business cards will be printed at the following cost: * 100 Personalized Cards $20.00 * 150 Personalized Cards 30.00 * 200 Personalized Cards 40.00 * these are full-color business cards, from the graphics to the text, printed on high-quality, rainbow card stock * if you do not specify a category, you will receive a sheet of 10 mixed pictures * the customer is responsible for any mis-printings caused by their incorrect input of address information; if it is my error, the printing will be corrected at no charge * purchaser to pay S/H It's hard to sell this over an email, as I can not show anyone how beautiful the labels or the business cards truly are. But I can tell you that, if you have not yet already seen them, you will be thrilled when you receive your own Personalized Wizard of Oz Labels!! If you are interested in ordering these labels or business cards, or have any questions, please feel free to email me and I will do what I can to help. Please do share this information with a friend! It would be very much appreciated!! Your friend in Oz ~~~~ Jill PS: If you would like to see a sample prior to ordering, send me your correct address information and I will send you a small sampling of the labels and/or business cards, as well as a form for ordering. Thank you for your interest! ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 07:10:17 +0000 From: "Earl C. Abbe" Subject: Ozzy Digest Submission - Marshmellows Found yesterday afternoon for me by NewTracker at www.excite.com The Wizard Takes Bite Out of the Big Apple -- Lands A&P in New York Thursday, July 16 9:30 AM ET LOS ANGELES (BUSINESS WIRE) - Hollywood Partners Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Vitafort International Corp. (OTC BB:VRFT) announced that the Atlantic & Pacific Tea Metro Group (A&P) has joined other leading retail chains in the national rollout of "The Wizard of Oz" marshmallows. Numbering more than 300 stores, the A&P Metro Group includes the following retail divisions: Waldbaum Inc., of Islip, N.Y.; Super Fresh Food Markets, Florence, N.J. (with stores in Delaware, New Jersey and Pennsylvania); and A&P Food Bazaar and Food Emporium Stores, Montvile, N.J. Marketed under its Avenue of the Stars brand, "The Wizard of Oz" marshmallows are the first products that are part of Hollywood Partners' multiyear agreement with Warner Bros. Consumer Products for the use of "The Wizard of Oz" name and likenesses. The famous characters of Dorothy, The Scarecrow, The Cowardly Lion and The Tin Man are featured on the packaging. Mark Beychock, Vitafort chief executive officer, said: "We are very excited that a leading chain like A&P has taken on the line. The national rollout and enthusiastic acceptance of `The Wizard of Oz' marshmallows continues to be most positive." "The Wizard of Oz," originally released in 1939, will be re-released by Warner Bros. on Dec. 25 on more than 2,000 screens nationwide, featuring redigitized color and new scenes. Nominated for the Best Picture Academy Award, "The Wizard of Oz" won the Academy Award for Best Score and Best Song, and Judy Garland received a special junior award for her role as Dorothy. Hollywood Partners markets snack products for the licensed property segment under the brand name Avenue of the Stars. Product specialties feature highly recognizable likenesses of major motion picture and other entertainment intellectual properties. ... Contact: Vitafort International Corp., Los Angeles Jack B. Spencer, 310/552-6393 Earl Abbe ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 17 Jul 1998 17:33:03 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-15-98 Ruth B.: <> Where is this available? (So that I can make and forget a mental note of it.) :-( Forgetfully, Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 17 Jul 98 19:01:25 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things BCF: So that Munchkin Conv. attendees don't miss out, I'm moving up _Lost Princess_ to Monday, August 3. Maybe that extra time is better anyway, since we're now moving into books that BoW hasn't reprinted yet and so may take longer for people to get... CONVENTIONS: Does anyone know when the flyers for the South Winkie Convention will be sent? -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 19 - 22, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 08:03:35 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-18-98 Barbara: <> Yes. <>yes <> Both the Friday and Saturday night programs vary from year to year. <> yep Yes, if you win a quiz at one of the conventions, it's your job to create the quiz for the following year. The Oz Research Tables are where we put the Ozzy things people have created--anything from serious essays to fiction to craft items. <> I would have loved that, but the hospital was in Lincoln City. We'd rented a beach house in Pacific City, and that hospital was the closest to us. --Robin ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 11:48:43 -0400 From: Ted Nesi Subject: Re: "Wizard of Oz" Rerelease X-Accept-Language: en Ozmama@aol.com wrote: > I just saw a TV commercial for the rerelease of the MGM Wizard. > Due out for Christmas, and it's been remastered. Joy! I just read that the film will be rereleased WITH the Scarecrow's dance inserted at the correct part of the film. What does everyone think of this? Ted -- *********************************************************** * TED'S LUCILLE BALL PAGE ~ TED'S MUPPET PAGE * * CLASSIC TELEVISION ~ THE UNOFFICIAL "WIZARD OF OZ" PAGE * * http://www.geocities.com/TelevisionCity/6066/ * *********************************************************** ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 10:59:35 -0500 From: Gordon Birrell Subject: Ozzy Digest Congratulations to Patrick Maund for his meticulous bibliography of _The Enchanted Island of Yew_ in the current Baum Bugle. Sign of the times: the bibliography concludes with a citation of the URL of the online etext of _Yew_! Speaking of bibliographies, here is a little Oz Bibliography Trivia Quiz that I've cooked up. Questions are arranged in approximate order of difficulty. 1. The dust jacket of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ lists this book as number 35 of the Oz series, when in fact it is number 36 of the FF. Why is this? 2. _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_ was originally published with 24 color plates, and _The Marvelous Land of Oz_ with 16 color plates. Which Oz book was the first to have only 12 inserted color plates, and which was the first to be published in first state with *no* color plates? 3. What is the significance of the words "peices," "ONIBERON," and "SCARECORW'S"? 4. Which *one* Reilly & Lee Oz book was published in first state with blank endpapers? 5. Which Oz book has endpapers featuring full-page portraits of Dorothy and Ozma? 6. Which Oz book was published in a later printing with a new pictorial label based on the endpapers of an earlier Oz book? 7. Which three Oz books were published in later (Reilly & Lee) printings with redesigned pictorial labels based on the first-state dust jacket illustrations? 8. Which three Oz books had publisher's advertisements on the back of their first-state dust jackets? Since the question of Baum's feminism has come up again, I thought I'd mention a recent (1991) edition of _WWoO_ published by Wadsworth Publishing Co., with an introduction and afterword by William R. Leach. Leach has quite a number of interesting (and provocative) things to say about Baum's links to contemporary cultural, philosophical, and political currents and the way these ideological factors inform _WWoO_. Among other things, Leach discusses the decline of traditional organized religion; the rise of consumerism and the culture of consumption; middle-class liberal feminism; the appeal of theosophy and other "mind-cure" philosophies; and tricksterism as a phenomenon of American consumer and advertising culture. The analysis of Baum's political-economic context is undertaken with considerably more finesse than one finds in the infamous Littlefield article. According to Amazon.com, the Wadsworth edition is still available by special order. --Gordon Birrell ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 10:33:54 -0700 From: Peter Hanff Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-18-98 Cc: phanff@library.berkeley.edu Hi Dave, You'll probably get several amplifcations on the Winkie Conference program, so I though I'd provide the full program as we distributed it to the registrants. There are minor variations each year. I wouldn't say the Conference always falls on the second weekend of July, but it will indeed do so in 1999. There will be no separate Winkie Conference (or Munchkin and Ozmopolitan) in 2000, because the Club will host a Club-wide Centennial Convention at Indiana University's Memorial Union in Bloomington. The Preconference Evening was established about four years ago by Patrick and Rita Maund, who recognized that many conventioneers traditionally arrive a day or two before the Winkie Conference starts (many do so to help prepare last-minute details, such as completing the registration packets, folding the programs, and so forth). This year Lynn Beltz hosted the Preconference event, which began about 5 p.m. in a very large room in the Victorian mansion on the grounds of the Butterfly Grove Inn. Light snacks and refereshments were on hand. Some twenty or so of the group then repaired to the Crocodile Cafe (formerly El Cocodrilo--the Spanish word for crocodile), for the Caribbean-styled meal that David Hulan described earlier). The group then reassembled at Lynn's room and folded programs and prepared most of the material that needed to be assembled for the registration packets the next day. Because I'm Registrar, Conference Director, and the Contractor with Asilomar for the Conference, I met with our Asilomar coordinator, Sue Myers, Friday morning at 9 a.m. This gives both of us an opportunity of discovering any last-minute problems with arrangements, and gives Asilomar a last-minute chance to be sure all the set-ups we have requested are fully understood. This time we discovered that in the change-over of the registration computer at Asilomar, the room I had assigned to the DeJohns had inadvertently been resold for Saturday night by Asilomar. This was a first for me! The DeJohns were in no real danger of being put out on the street, and a friend in Pebble Beach offered to let me come to stay there if I needed to give up my own room for the DeJohns. As it turned out, as Ozzy Digest readers now know, Robin Olderman had to cancel, so I moved the DeJohns to the room I had reserved for Robin, so everything was under control by dinner time on Friday evening. But Asilomar was fully sold out for the weekend. The registration process has always been a bit busy. All the registering groups have individual registration desks in the lobby of the Asilomar Administration Building. My approach is to register each of the Winkies, presenting them with their registration packets, and telling them which room (or rooms in the case of some of the larger family groups) I've assigned. They then must join the master line to go to the Asilomar desk to pick up their meal badges and room keys. But after the initial crush at 3, by 4, most were through the whole process. I shut down our registration desk at about 5 so that I could join the tail end of the Ozade Reception at our main meeting building. The Show and Tell part of the program is quite informal. Individuals who have an item (or sometimes only a story) to show and talk about do so. The items are either Oz or Baum related, and we often learn a great deal about rare and unusual items. There are usually quite a few "Ohs and Ahs!" for many collectors have indeed ferreted out remarkable things. This year, for the first time since Fred Otto's death, we were treated to a reading of his rhymed abridgment of _Ozma of Oz_, the theme of the weekend. Patrick Maund indeed read the challenging text extremely well, and sometimes the rhymes were so obvious he could get the entire audience to shout out the needed word to complete a rhyme. David Maxine's slide lecture, co-written with his partner Eric Shanower, was an outstanding feature, beautifully written and illustrated. His unscheduled supplement of a newly produced portion of the original stage music of _The Wizard of Oz_ gave all of us an impression of one reason the musical extravaganza became so popular in 1902-03. I think the rest of the printed program can speak for itself, with only the added observation that historically the winners of the quizzes have been expected to prepare the next year's quizzes. I should also point out that Robin Olderman is the first Club member to have won all three of the main awards presented at the three main conventions: the L. Frank Baum Memorial Award, the Munchkin Award, and now the Winkie Award. That's an appropriate tribute to one who has been so actively involved in the Club for so many years. The Thirty-first Annual Winkie Conference July 10-12, 1998 Asilomar Conference Center Pacific Grove, California "In Honor of Our Gracious Leader: Princess Ozma of Oz" Chairman Katie Fleming with the assistance of her co-anchor John Ebinger Friday, July 10 3:00 p.m. Winkie Registration and Asilomar Check-In 4:00 Oz-ade and Oz Cookie Reception Greeter: Liz Schaible 6:00 Dinner in the Crocker Dining Hall 8:00 Warm Winkie Welcome 1. Show and Tell Peter Hanff Presiding 2. Fred Otto's Oziad: Ozma of Oz Read by Patrick Maund 3.The Girl Behind the Poppies; or, Tips on Ozma A Slide Lecture by David Maxine (written by David Maxine and Eric Shanower) 10:00 Winkie Party With the Wee Winkie Servers: Matthew McMaster and Brittany Rizzo Good Night! Saturday, July 11 9:00 a.m. Costume Parade and Contest Eric Gjovaag, Master of Ceremonies 10:15-10:45 The Oz Quizzes Children's Quiz conducted by Eric Gjovaag Adults' Quiz conducted by Robin Hess Masters' Quiz conducted by David Hulan 11:00 Children's Auction: Eric Gjovaag, Auctioneer Followed by Children's Activities: Lynn Beltz, Coordinator 12:00 p.m. Lunch in the Crocker Dining Hall 1:15 p.m. Winkie Business Meeting, Peter Hanff Presiding Winkie Auction: Patrick Maund, Auctioneer (Children's activities with Lynn Beltz continue throughout) Dealer's Room (Madrone Hall) opens at the conclusion of the Winkie Auction 6:00 Winkie Banquet (our dressiest event) Crocker Dining Hall 8:00 Awards Presentations 1. 1998 Winkie Award 2. Costume Contest Awards 3. Fred Otto Fiction Awards, Special Awards for Non-Fiction, and Art Contributions 4. Quiz-Winner Awards 8:40 . The Merry Oz Players Present: Ozma of Oz An Original Radio Drama By Katie Fleming Grand Finale The Oz Kids Choristers, Conducted by Lynn Beltz, Piano Accompaniment by Ryan Bunch Saturday Night Oz Party With the Wee Winkie Servers Sweet Dreams! Sunday, July 12 9:00 a.m. Oz Treasure Hunt: open to all ages Eric Gjovaag Presiding 10:00 . Treasure Hunt Awards 10:15 Closing Ceremonies and the Passing of the Vest 12:00 p.m. Lunch in the Crocker Dining Hal Happy Journeys Home, and See You All Next Year! Thank you one and All! Katie (With special thanks from Princess Ozma of Oz!) My special thanks and appreciation for their help, advice, participation, and selfless giving go to: John Ebinger Peter E. Hanff Lynn Beltz Eric Shanower Langley Brookes Brandt Karyl Carlson Virginia Fowler Lea Thorin Freddy Fogarty Matthew McMaster Robin Hess Ron and Betty Lepanto Lee Speth Dick Rutter Robin Helfrich Fred M. Meyer Patrick Maund Eric Gjovaag David Maxine Robin Olderman Betsy Beltz Dana Thorin Liz Schaible Jeff Bjur Brittany Rizzo David Hulan Atticus Gannaway Dolores Speth Ryan Bunch Elaine Willingham The Merry Oz Players The Oz Kids Choristers The Artists: Both Here and Elsewhere Kathi and Don Fleming And to all of you Wonderful Winkies, who inspired me (And you all did) to do this Convention -Katie Fleming The Winkie Press 1998 Peter Hanff ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 19:29:44 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-18-98 RPT vs LFB: I guess RPT was the pulp magazine version of Oz . . . if that makes sense. (No slight intended to RPT, of course, as she did continue Oz in the best way she could, and we must thank her for that.) I shudder to realize that my Oz writing is almost more Thompsonian than Baumian in that it involves more action and less discussion . . . but that's not the point . . . Aimlessly, Jeremy Steadman http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/9619 ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 18 Jul 1998 17:12:48 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-18-98 Tyler: >A distinction is also made with a "Baum purist". That is, one who writes as >if only the Baum 14 had been written before, ignoring any Thompsonian >history, for example. This does not necessarily mean that the author writes >in the Baumian style, though. For current writers there's also the factor that so many of the Thompson books are still protected by copyright; one doesn't have to be a "Baum purist" to ignore Thompson's books. _Glass Cat_, for instance, references only Baum characters and places, but I don't consider myself a "Baum purist" in that sense. I've written non-commercial short stories (e.g. "A Princess of Oz," which was in the 1995 OZIANA) that used Thompson characters and settings. J.L.: >John W. Kennedy wrote: ><or King James.>> > >Indeed. Popular notions have transformed the "woman who hath a familiar >spirit" into a witch, even in the running head of my KJV. I wonder if the >phrase "witch of Endor" comes from the Tyndale translation. I have read that the original equation of the woman of Endor with a witch came when the running heads of the KJV were written, and whoever wrote the one for that page wrote, "Saul seeketh a witch." I don't know that this is in fact the earliest such attribution. Barbara B.: >Is the Winkie Convention always the second weekend in July? Are the >dates next year July 9-12? Is it at the same location? Oh, I'm full of >questions. Winkie Con is always in mid-July, but I think it's sometimes the second and sometimes the third weekend. The dates next year won't be July 9-12, since that would be Wednesday-Saturday, but it might be July 10-13; I'm not sure about that. It will be at the same location. Your outline of what happens is more or less accurate, with a few exceptions. The adult quiz (and the rest of the quizzes) happen Saturday morning after the costume parade/contest, and the judges for the research table entries are usually chosen sometime Friday evening and the results of the judging announced Saturday evening. The "show and tell" Friday night is an opportunity for people to show off any unusual Ozzy items they have, and to tell why they're special. The reading of the Oziad this year was not typical of recent years; when Fred Otto was alive I believe he read one every year, but he died several years ago (1994, IIRC) and this was the first time since then that one has been read. Program items on Friday and Saturday nights, except for the "show and tell," can vary considerably from year to year; there have been slide shows, videos, plays, musical programs, revues, unillustrated talks, and probably other events like panel discussions and the like. These things depend on the program chairman each year (and what he or she can talk people into doing). The Research Table is a place where people can contribute fiction, non-fiction, and art for other Oz fans to peruse. Recently cash prizes have been endowed, which gives more incentive for people to contribute. The costume contest doesn't follow the year's theme; people just wear Ozzy costumes. The winners of the adult and master's quizzes make up the respective quizzes and provide the prizes for the next year. Once you win the adult quiz, you are no longer eligible for that quiz but are restricted to the master's quiz from then on. Ruth: >J. L. >Bell's "Pumpkinhead" story sounds interesting -- will hope to read it in >a future "Oziana." It's a lot of fun. It reminded me much more of Neill than either Baum or Thompson in its general style, though John Bell writes a lot better than Neill did. Steve: >In a world where Scarecrows and Tin Woodmen can become biological >parents, I do not know why talking lions of different sexes cannot be >"identical" twins. Because even in such a world, "identical" has a meaning that isn't compatible with one being male and one being female. Besides, Bela and Boris don't even look alike. >However both TIK-TOK and SCARECROW do have marriages as plot >culminations. Sort of. We're never really told that Files and Ozga are even thinking of marriage, though there's an implication that they're in love, at least. And although Gloria announces her plan to marry Pon, we never see that actually happen either as far as I recall. In any case, both these marriages involve relatively minor characters in their respective books (especially the first), rather than central characters as in _Kabumpo_, _Grampa_, _Yellow Knight_, or _Silver Princess_. (Which were really the only Thompson books involving marriages, except for that of minor characters Belfaygor and Shirley Sunshine in _Jack Pumpkinhead.) > I believe >Thompson did not take Oz as seriously as Baum did (And Baum did not take >it as seriously as many members of the Ozzy Digest do.) Very true. But then, I don't think many authors take their secondary world as seriously as their fans do. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 01:40:18 -0400 (EDT) From: HermBieber@aol.com Subject: For Ozzy Digest For Barbara B In the long range planning department, the 1999 Ozmopolitan Convention will take place at the Lake Lawn Inn in Delavan, WI June 18 - 20. The Winkie Convention will be in Asilomar (Pacific Grove), CA on July 9 - 11, and the Munchkin Convention will be the first weekend in August either in Wilmington, DE or Hershey, PA. MARK YOUR CALENDARS ! Herm Bieber ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 10:19:24 -0400 From: Michael Turniansky Subject: Re: Ozzy Twins > Mr. Bell notes: > Mike Turniansky: > <> > > Not even in Ozma's Oz? > [Ellen Raskin's excellent MYSTERIOUS DISAPPEARANCE OF LEON (I MEAN NOEL) > has one storyline hinging on whether a sister and brother could have been > Siamese twins.] > Is that the one with Noel Carrillon, Pomato soup, the glubs-glubs, etc.? I loved that book! Written by a friend of a friend (the Ozzy Digest's own Rich Morrisery) > Stephen Teller: > In a world where Scarecrows and Tin Woodmen can become biological > parents, I do not know why talking lions of different sexes cannot be > "identical" twins. Points well taken by both of you. I stand corrected. But even given the biological possibility, the words "identical" connotes...well... identicalness. Otherwise, we get into Humpty Dumptyism. --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 11:12:50 -0400 From: Richard Randolph Subject: Ozzy Digest 7-16/18-98 I'll add my thanks to David Hulan and Barb DeJohn for their Winkie Con reports, and my congratulations to Robin O. and J.L. Bell for their awards. Earl: Upon arriving at my daughter's home for dinner, last night, I was presented with a "gift" - a package of "Wizard of Oz Kansas Twisters", marshmellow snacks which she had discovered at the local Shop-Rite super market! The 10.5 oz. package depicts the "Fab Four" and Toto walking down the YBR on the front, while on the back is a drawing of the Emerald City, and the words, "The Wizard of Oz Marshmellow snacks are a delicious treat in fruity flavors and magical shapes! A great anytime snack that is fat free! Enjoy them in a variety of recipes or right out of the bag! Try all the fun flavors including Kansas Twisters, Orange Puffs, Fruity Rainbows, and Strawberry & Cream Puffs." Fat free, they may be, but a serving (5 pieces) is 113 calories! Betcha can't eat just 5! Dick ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 19 Jul 1998 16:32:15 -0700 From: plgnyc Subject: Ozzy Digest You may wish to postpone the discussion of "The Lost Princess of Oz" a couple of more weeks since the Books of Wonder edition will be shipping in August. I've already received the printed sheets and the book looks great. The finished bound copies are due in the warehouse by the end of this month and will ship to stores in August. It will also be the lead item in our summer Oz Collector letter -- going into the mail by the end of this month as well -- and offered at a pre-pub discount (even though it will be available to ship almost as soon as the orders are received). The summer Oz Collector letter will also feature copies of Oz Story Magazine #4 -- signed by Eric Shanower and David Maxine. Wait till you see this new issue; it's a real beauty! The guys have outdone themselves! For those who don't receive The Oz Collector but would like to, you can request a copy by calling (800) 207-6968 or e-mailing Books of Wonder at: bookswonder@earthlink.net - Peter Glassman Books of Wonder ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 00:28:31 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones David: I'd suggest that Ervic the Skeezer was another strong male character of Baum's, altough his only real action was to outsmart Reera. Other than that, his only real action was to carry around the fish. Dave: It sounds like a good idea to wait for the end of the Munchkin Con to start the discussion of _Lost Princess_. Stephen Teller: The Wizard also removed Jenny's ambition, which was the one thing that disturbed me about the whole procedure. Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 11:37:54 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest Jeremy Steadman: Nancy Tystad Koupal's edition of Baum's "Our Landlady" could probably be ordered by any general bookstore (I forget the publisher, but it should be listed in "Books in Print"); Books of Wonder is carrying a stock of it for mailorder, too. A university library might be likely to have a copy you could borrow, or you might be able to talk a library near you into getting one. J.L. Bell & Stephen J. Teller & Michael Turniansky: There are some sciencefiction stories (e.g., some by Robert A. Heinlein, and John Varley) in which tinkering with the development of one of a pair of identical twins results in having a boy-girl pair. Another question for the "Oz Kids" identical might be how it happens that Boris (as if Karloff) is a boy's name, but Bela (as in Lugosi) is supposedly a girl's name, and are these perhaps identical boy twins after all? (Maybe "Bela" in this case is supposed to be short for Isabella, but the pairing suggests that someone was thinking Lugosi. There would actually be a difference in pronunciation between Bela and Bella, but it might not be pronounced clearly enough to decide which was intended.) Kathryn Lasky's "Double Trouble Squared," the first of a series of juvenile detective stories, has a boy-girl pair of twins who look so much alike that, as the narrative explains carefully, although they are not really identical, most people think of them as if they were. (But if that's what "Oz Kids" had in mind, it would have been a good idea to make room in the dialogue to say so.) Barbara Belgrave: The Research Table at Ozcons is a place to set out articles or stories of Oz interest that attendees (or even non-attendees, if they want to) have written. There are usually prizes for some of these, and the attendees who take time to read through them may give the authors some feedback. Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 17:45:56 -0400 From: "John L. Bell" Subject: wigwams in Oz Sender: "John L. Bell" Thanks, Ruth Berman, for the mention of Ruth Plumly Thompson's version of "The Magic Cloak." Has this story been republished? Last week the BOSTON GLOBE ran a large article about a spiritualist retreat in Massachusetts built in the 1890s, the centerpiece of which was an eight-sided house with a high, pointed roof. Painted a cheery red and with two windows on either side of its narrow door, the building looked a bit like some of Neill's Ozian homes. The eight sides matched Blinkie's home in SCARECROW. The spiritualists who ran the Massachusetts site have always called this building their "wigwam." Coincidentally, this week the H-SHEAR list for discussion of early American history has brought up the ante-bellum spiritualists' links with [what they saw as] Native American religion. Which brought up some questions: * Would Baum, his wife, or his mother-in-law have ever visited or read with interest about the Massachusetts site? * Did 19th-century spiritualists build similar buildings elsewhere? * Had the spiritualists' proclaimed affinity with Native Americans survived the wars of the westward expansion? * Does the foundation of the Ozian house extend any deeper than Neill's sketch pad? I turn those over to folks more knowledgeable about spiritualism and with better Web access than I [Ken?]. Alas, I'm now two states removed from the newspaper that gave the name of the Massachusetts site. Dave Hulan wrote: <> Am I wrong in remembering some steam pipe explosion or blast of water? Dave Hulan wrote: <> Melody's stories are far less silly than MO; the place she depicts is clearly Oz, not anything that could be called Phunniland. What seems mo' MO mostly is the book's pacing. SWORD IN THE STONE is also a good call, especially for the closing chapter when the magician and his assistant swim with the fishes. About Baumian/Thompsonian traits, Steve Teller wrote: <> That's why I wrote that Thompson showed "more concern" or "less concern" about certain things, rather than implying anything exclusive to one author. Baum did indeed depict weddings in three of his Oz books (if we count Gayelette/Quelala). Yet he never married off a main character, never made getting married a main goal, never made a wedding the centerpiece of a last chapter. Nor do I recall Baum's villains threatening to marry Ozma, as a couple of Thompson's do. Skamperoo is unusual among Thompson's villains in being more round [in many ways] and nearly sympathetic--which is why he gets to keep his throne and not be transformed or liquidated. In the rest of her books I don't think much distinguishes one sinister magician, duplicitous courtier, or short-tempered ruler from another. [Okay, the Wizard of Wutz stands out because he looks gooooood.] I'm also struck by how Baum tells the history of Ugu and Kiki Aru, trying to understand how they came to be villainous; most of Thompson's villains just are. I'm struck by your impression that <> I agree, on both counts. Ironically, my mental picture of the two authors as *people* makes Baum out as taking daily life less seriously than Thompson did. That's probably driven too much by reading of her later letters to Reilly & Lee. Tyler Jones wrote: <> I agree that the creation of a girl or boy protagonist in itself can't define a book as Baumian or Thompsonian. Because Dorothy was so popular, all later authors except Neill seem to want/feel pressure to relate at least one of her adventures. That naturally means that a second child, if there is one (Peter, Jam, Robin), is more likely to be a boy. Nevertheless, there do seem to be consistent differences in how Baum and Thompson depict children of different sexes. When a girl is hanging back from a fight (HUNGRY TIGER), it's Thompson. When she's doing better in the fight than a boy (PATCHWORK GIRL), it's Baum [usually--Planetty's staff makes her more effective than Randy]. Most of Thompson's heroes are stereotypically physical "real boys"; she even implies they're anatomically complete (SPEEDY, ENCHANTED ISLAND). The Baum hero most like Thompson's athletes is Inga, who had to be imported into the Oz series. Good point of distinguishing the Baumian mode of Oz-storytelling and the Baum-purism of sticking strictly to the "facts" Baum laid down for Oz. I think one can write a very Baumian book using Kabumpo and Jinnicky, or a book that would rile many Baum fans without contradicting any of his facts. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 20 Jul 1998 16:58:31 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-11-98 > Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 12:00:16 -0400 > From: Michael Turniansky > Subject: ozkids > > Don't know nothing much about them, but when to the webpage that > Scott suggested: got one thing to say to their creators: get a clue! > Boris and Bela cannot be "identical twins" *sigh* > --Mike "Shaggy Man" Turniansky > Tip and Ozma are identical twins, but that's something else altogether. > It depends, surely, on how you define "Baumian" vs. "Thompsonian." I > consider my Oz writing more Baumian than Thompsonian, but that's based on > my personal perception of the differences between the two, and someone else > might disagree. As someone who has read your Oz writing might disagree with > your self-characterization. (The only thing of yours I remember having read > was "Giraffic Park," and it didn't strike me as Baumian or Thompsonian > either one. But I know that was relatively early work and probably not > representative.) It was early and unfinished, and could not be published for copyright reasons involving Herby and Valynn, who could not be excised. It is, however, a prelude to _Tip of Oz_, and it (GP) will have to be revised, since it contradicts it, and I would say it was neither Thompsonian or Baumian. _Tip of Oz_ is more accurately described as mine rather than Baumian, but it is much closer to Baum's conception than Thompson's with exception. The chapter on Down Town in _Cowardly Lion_ certainly had influence, as did some of her others. Unfortunately, not having read _Handy Mandy_, I forgot about Himself the Elf, but my elves don't necessarily (and proably do not) contradict anything here. > Scott: > >BTW: Would this be a violation of a copyright on a Neill book? > > > >Tip: She had a girl lobotomized.. just for being ANNOYING! > > I don't think so, as long as you don't specifically mention Jenny Jump > or the events in _Wonder City_. I don't know much about copyright law, > though. I don't, since I've never read it, and only know what I've been told about it, since I don't have it. > ====================================================================== > Date: Wed, 08 Jul 1998 18:01:56 -0400 (EDT) > From: Mark Anthony Donajkowski > Subject: oz news > > REUNITED: Dorothy, the Scarecrow, the Tin Man and the Cowardly Lion, for a > Christmas theatrical release of the 1939 movie classic "The Wizard of Oz" > (in much the same manner "Gone With the Wind" has just reopened). In > preparation, the Turner Classic Movies Music/Rhino Movie Music soundracks > partnership will release "The Story & Songs From 'The Wizard Of Oz,'" a > new, nearly-78-minute audio CD, in stereo, on Sept. 1. Probably a repackaging of the old CBS CD which had all the dialogue and sound FX. I suggest the 2 CD, but this may be interesting. > > Thanks, Dave Hulan, for sorting out Fred Stone's name properly. No one knows what the "A" stands for do they? Dan Mannix didn't. > I can't speak to writing I haven't seen, of course (save to say I don't > recall Baum using the term "lobotomized"), but the qualities you mention > don't strike me as what distinguish Baum's Oz tales from his successors'. > How can we say events in Thompson's or Neill's books aren't based on what > they experienced or knew? Is it just because Baum's life has been studied > more closely that we see parallels between it and his books? Weell, Tip is set in 1991, and the Woozy is blue, mentioned several times though he barely appears. I did concentrate on humanoid characters though, with a new (old) Tin Man and some giants, though I do have a talking horse. I also have a good deal of modern technology intruding which may or may not be Baumian, considering the technology that existed in Oz at the time. In the sequel, the Thi dragon chariots have evolved into cars, which Tip and Aubrey play chicken with in an empty field of the Quadling country, blasting very different types of music: Tip blasting Michael Nyman; Aubrey blasting Trent Reznor. > * more concern with marriages, both as the culmination of plots and as a > threat to the happy status quo in the Emerald City none of that, here > * more concern with restoring traditional father-mother-children families a little, though not exactly > * more concern with becoming or restoring royalty as the end of the > protagonists' journeys; fewer examples and less inquiry about different > forms of governance yeah, that's here, sort of, in a twisted manner > * expansion of the boundaries of Oz's spell, so that outside Oz animals > speak, people live forever, and Americans work magic to a limited extent > * fewer interesting non-magical Oz folk encountered on journeys, more > unusual races of people some > * more breathless action, without the rests Baum inserts in his > compositions (or the anticlimactic pageants he drags us through) mine goes to lyrical portions which slow the action but also advance or enhance the plot or character development. > * less variation in the personalities of villains personalities extremely developed and diverse so that you're not sure who really is the villain, because everyone has their reasons (stealing Renoir's quote) > * more emphasis on athletic males, less respect for girls' strength nope, Aubrey is more athletic than Tip, who is average. > * more horses Oh yeah!! > > OZ AUTHORSHIP: > I'm afraid my writing is neither Baumian or Thompsonian...It's > Hardenbrookian. Hear, hear!! Zora Neale Hurston in Oz??: Any clue why that girl Tea Cake was interested in was named Nunkie? Scott ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 13:41:46 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal More info on Aberdeen's L Frank Baum Oz Festival: A correction for Nancy Tystad Koupal's talk. It is titled: The Oz Man's Tales: Showdown on Main Street Anyone wishing to order our book of Mother Goose in Prose or the Oz in Aberdeen catalogueof the library Baum collection.....let me know and I will send you an order form with description of the books, etc. Festival plans are coming well. I addition to the Chautauqua events and performers I have already mentioned previously, the Aberdeen Park and Rec department is holding their annual Youth Heriage Arts Festival....it is a full day of children's activities including things like quilting, soap making, museum exhibits, spinning, hands on crafts and arts, storytelling, Storybook Land Theater, etc. Since last year, The Land Of Oz has added the Wizard and his balloon, the talking trees and a barn with Auntie Em and Uncle Henry's house. Little by little there is progress being made. In addition to the festival, the Granary Cultural Center (an art gallary in the middle of a corn field) is having an exhibit of folks arts and artists....there is a Baum exhibit at the Dacotah Prairie Museum. Our 14 Oz Characters have been making appearances at all kinds of summer activities around town and in holiday parades in smaller communities around Aberdeen. If anyone on the Digest is planning on coming, please let me know so that we can arrange to meet....and I can extend some hospitality. Bea Premack ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 13:08:07 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Someone asked for more information concerning the "Science of Oz" exhibit. This flyer I have says: The movie classic, The Wizard of Oz, is the basis for this engaging interactive science and technology exhibit. Visitors will experience phenomena and scenes from the movie, setting the stage for learning about physical sciences, life sciences and biological sciences. Targeted for a family audience, this exhibit will take you on an educational and entertaining journey to the Land of Oz. The exhibit components are: The yellow brick road, Prof Marvel's wagon, step into a tornado, rainbow ribbons, colors of Oz: from the eye to the brain, make a rainbow, 3D views of Oz, step into color, crystal ball images, senses of Oz, Oh! That scared me!, see your voice in the witch's caldron, race the Tin Man's heart, balance on the castle bridege, hot air balloon, Glenda's soap bubble, modern day Tin Man, and blue screen:in the land of Oz. The contact person at Discovery Place in Charlotte, NC is Roy Alexander at 704 372 6261 ext 476. The exhibit needs 3500 to 4000 sq ft. Cost is $35,000 for 3 Months. (that took us out but we can recommend it to friends who are travelin g to exhibit sites) Happy us because we have kids and grandkids who can see it in Omaha this fall and in San Antonio in 2002. If anyone wants the list of locations again, send me a private email. at beapre@iw.net. Bea B at ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 98 19:01:27 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things Sorry for the for the delay since the last Digest! My mom has been ill and I've had little time for anything else... Peter Glassman writes: >You may wish to postpone the discussion of "The Lost Princess of Oz" a >couple of more weeks since the Books of Wonder edition will be shipping >in August. How does everyone feel about this? I'm still waiting for someone to answer my question about South Winkies... :) -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 23 - 25, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:17:48 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 Gordon's Bibliographical Quiz 1. The dust jacket of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ lists this book as number 35 of the Oz series, when in fact it is number 36 of the FF. Why is this? Reilly and Britton/Lee didn't have the rights to publish _Wizard_, so they sorta pretended that the series started with their first title: _Land_. 2. _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_ was originally published with 24 color plates, and _The Marvelous Land of Oz_ with 16 color plates. Which Oz book was the first to have only 12 inserted color plates, and which was the first to be published in first state with *no* color plates? _Tik Tok_. _Captain Salt_. 1935 is the last year for internal color work for the series. 3. What is the significance of the words "peices," "ONIBERON," and "SCARECORW'S"? The misprints are edition points for firsts of _Giant Horse_ and _Royal Book_, in that order. 4. Which *one* Reilly & Lee Oz book was published in first state with blank endpapers? I don't remember. _Wishing Horse_ 5. Which Oz book has endpapers featuring full-page portraits of Dorothy and Ozma? I don't remember for sure. _Road_? 6. Which Oz book was published in a later printing with a new pictorial label based on the endpapers of an earlier Oz book? _E. City_ 7. Which three Oz books were published in later (Reilly & Lee) printings with redesigned pictorial labels based on the first-state dust jacket illustrations? _Wizard_(?), _Road_ , _Tik Tok_(white binding)(?) 8. Which three Oz books had publisher's advertisements on the back of their first-state dust jackets? Dunno. ----------- <> Dave, no one would even think of criticizing you for the delay. We're just glad to get the Digest whenever it's sent to us. I hope your mom is doing better now. ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:27:37 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones David Hulan: All we can do is wait, and then we can write about whatever we please. Seriousness: It seems in many stories that the fans take the story (and the world that it creates) much more seriously than the authors. Some people have said that while the author may also love the story, it is ultimately just a job for him/her. They are simply trying to pay the rent by telling a good story, and they do not necessarily worry about the fact that Ato, Roger and Captain Salt are marching together in the big parade in book 29, and yet in book 30, they say they haven't met in five years, and that Captain Salt has been in his cave the whole time. Dave: It may be a good idea to wait that extra time for _Lost Princess_. That way, some people can get the story and read it for the first time before we discuss it. Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 00:08:30 -0400 (EDT) From: Orange5193@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 Peter Hanff wrote: >David Maxine's slide lecture, co-written with his partner Eric Shanower, >was an outstanding feature, beautifully written and illustrated. His >unscheduled supplement of a newly produced portion of the original stage >music of _The Wizard of Oz_ gave all of us an impression of one reason the >musical extravaganza became so popular in 1902-03. The new recording of Paul Tietjens' "Pantomime" opening number from the 1902 Wizard of Oz extravaganza was my work, so I got to be at WinkieCon in spirit, at least. Hope you enjoyed it. James Doyle ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 22 Jul 1998 23:44:10 -0400 From: Lisa Bompiani Subject: Ozzy Digest Hello, I've been out of the loop for awhile, but I'm finally back. I moved (a crazed and ridiculous adventure) and finished my MA. Now, I have an interview for a teaching position tomorrow morning at 10:00. Please cross your fingers or say a prayer for me. Gordon: Is there any other way to get ahold of that Leach piece? Or do you know where that edition of WWoO is available? Robin: Whatever happened, I hope things are well now. Well, since I just rejoined, I agree with postponing the discussion so I can get a copy of the book from BoW. A Barnes & Noble just opened in Greensburg, and I spend much quality time there. Peace & Love, Lisa Bompiani (Bompi) ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 11:38:12 -0500 From: Bea & Herschel Premack Subject: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Richard Randolph: Our LFB. Oz Festival is Aug 8 and 9. would be delighted if you could make it. Sending our book form. The latest on the Festival is that we will have 2 Munchkins attending. Meinhardt Raabe and Mickey Carol will be here. This will certainly add a lot of excitment for everyone. Bea ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 14:59:16 -0400 From: Richard Randolph Subject: Ozzy Digest 7-22-98 Gordon, re: Oz Bibliography Trivia Quiz 1. I have no idea why the dj of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ is numbered 35! (Perhaps they weren't counting The Wizard?) 2. Tik-tok in Oz was the first to have 12 inserted color plates, and Ozma of Oz was the first with *no* color plates. 3. "peices" was a misprint in the 1st ed. Wizard, and "Scarecorws" in 1st ed. Royal Book. "ONIBERON" ?, not a clue! 4. The first Reilly & Lee Oz book, 1st state, no end papers was Wishing Horse. 5. Oz book with portraits of Ozma & Dorothy endpapers is Emerald City. 6. Oz book with pictorial label based on endpapers of an earlier Oz book is Emerald City - (endpapers from Dorothy & The Wizard.) 7. Three R&L later printings with pictorial labels based on 1st state dj's were Ozma, Road and Patchwork Girl. 8. Three Oz books with publisher's ads on the back of 1st state dj's were Dorothy & The Wizard, Road and Emerald City. That's the best I could do, Dick ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 15:22:09 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: Oz in the original Sender: "J. L. Bell" Peter Glassman wrote: <> I heartily second this motion. Seeing the BoW editions' color plates has added to my experience of the books I first encountered in black-and-white. At Bob Collinge's Oz gathering in the Northeast I saw the LOST PRINCESS plate of Ojo and Button-Bright for the first time. Between the boys' short pants and their poses, they looked very like 18th-century archetypes--I wouldn't be surprised if someone identified a painting Neill used as a model. I'm eager to see the rest of the art. Ted Nesi wrote: <> If the Scarecrow's dance is inserted during the "If I Only Had a Brain" song, I'd see this as part of an annoying trend of restoring pieces that creative artists chose to leave out of their work. Other recent examples include the "comprehensive edition" of HUCK FINN which replaced a passage that Twain moved to LIFE ON THE MISSISSIPPI, an edition of THROUGH THE LOOKING-GLASS that included "The Wasp in the Wig" episode, and (from the other direction) the Kraken edition of PIERRE, which *removed* sections a scholar inferred weren't in Melville's first submitted draft. All these editions were marketed as somehow better and more true than the texts the authors published. This trend ignores how an artist's choice of what *not* to include is as important as what to include. In the case of HUCK FINN, Twain controlled every aspect of that novel's publication. He removed the section for a commercial reason--to make the new book match the thickness of TOM SAWYER--but it was his decision, and he adjusted the text so the deletion would leave behind no "hole." In none of the examples above was the author's work changed without his approval--until the "restored" editions were published (with new copyright protection). I see no problem publishing authors' early drafts or deleted material to illuminate how they created their works. It would be fascinating to see the "Garden of Meats" episode from PATCHWORK GIRL, the original ending of RINKITINK, and even Neill's first draft of WONDER CITY. But such items should be kept separate from what their authors published so we can evaluate their artistic choices. If a choice doesn't seem to have been a good one, as in Wordsworth's rewriting of THE PRELUDE, that tells us more about the artist's method. As for the 1939 WIZARD, I think the extended Scarecrow dance is an interesting piece of filmmaking, but restoring it would slow the early part of the movie. As dance it depends as much on special effects as on Bolger's unique talents, and adds little to the characterization we already have. I'm sure the filmmakers made a careful decision to edit it out. Gordon Birrell wrote: <> In his essay on theosophy and Baum, available on the Web, Prof. David B. Parker credits this Wadsworth edition with opening his eyes to the scholarly possibilities of the book. About "Jack Pumpkinhead's Day in Court," David Hulan wrote: <> Thanks, though that may not be much of a compliment. Certainly saying someone draws better than J. L. Bell isn't high praise! I thought of this story as taking Baum's royal palace cast (perhaps including Thompson's Jellia) and putting them in the midst of Neill's bustling commercial center. That updated image of the Emerald City is, I think, Neill's most important contribution to the Oz series as a writer. Folks can judge if "Jack..." carries off that mix at the Munchkin Convention or in the 1999 edition of OZ-STORY. I hear from David Maxine that this year's issue of OZ-STORY, #4, has just been mailed. Tyler Jones wrote: <> I view Ervic as a "strong enough" character--not a paragon of manliness or wisdom, but determined and wily and brave enough to get the job done. It seems clear he'll help govern the Skeezers well. Baum often created such male characters, admirable but far from perfect. Thompson, on the other hand, seemed to want more: she couldn't let a fine if idiosyncratic man like Sir Hokus rest until he became younger and stronger and more handsome--an uberknight. About possibly infringing on the copyright of WONDER CITY, Scott Hutchins wrote: <> Not having read the original is no shield against a copyright-infringement complaint if you're using someone else's characters. I haven't read BRIDGES OF MADISON COUNTY, but if I were to write a sequel based on its reviews, Robert James Waller could still come after me. In your case, the allusion to Jenny is vague enough to fall under "fair use," and that would be the stronger reasoning. I'm curious about why you haven't read WONDER CITY since it's now widely available. Obviously, the descriptions of it in the Digest have been less than compelling. But I recall being determined in a little-boy way to read *all* the Oz books listed in the front of my edition of ROAD. It was the same instinct that makes some people want to own *all* the Beanie Babies or *all* first editions or the like. Did other folks feel this sort of completism? Where does one draw the line at reading enough (for me, at the pseudonymous series)? About his style of Oz writing, Scott Hutchins wrote: <> Baum's adoption of new technology may indeed be another trait that distinguishes his story-telling style from his successors'. Though his Oz doesn't seem to have the steam engine or refined petroleum, it does include clockwork, electricity, radio, and other relatively contemporary inventions. Until OZOPLANING, did Thompson do the same, or did she stick to magic and the technology of early modern Europe? You describe Oz characters listening to specific contemporary music--I suspect Baum avoided that for fear of quickly dating his stories. Only on the Isle of Phreex do I recall him alluding to a composer by name ("Vogner"). For Baum electric lights and phonographs were modern technology, invented since his childhood. For me reading his books in an age of cars, TVs, and the first VCRs and PCs, his Oz seemed mechanically old-fashioned. Some folks envision Oz keeping up with our technology, in its own way. I can't help imagining the techno-gap between that culture and ours as widening. In my Centennial manuscript the 1990s visitor comes up to Tik-Tok, who's operating the Magic Picture, and asks, "Is that your monitor?" The clockwork man whirs for a bit and replies, "_I_ am mon-i-tor-ing _it_." J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 16:39:34 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 Re Getting the Jitters in MGM movie: Nice to hear the Jitterbug segment will be inserted--put in its place, so to speak ;-). Repetition not as Flattery: I know I asked this question before, but what was the publication date of WWOZ--the IWOC's list of Oz books puts it at 1898, yet we're celebrating its anniversary in 2000--so which is it? David Hulan: Many best wishes for your mother's speedy recovery! I know what having sick relatives is like . . . And what being sick is like, too . . . Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Jul 23 1998 5:27PM From: Jeremy Steadman Subject: Join PlanetAll, and Keep in Touch, Away from the Digest! X-Generator: PlanetAll Mail Generator 1.0 Hello, fellow Digester! I am using a service called PlanetAll to keep myself up-to-date with the latest contact information for my friends on the Digest and elsewhere. Using PlanetAll, it is possible to find numerous old friends and others with similar interests. To add yourself to my personal directory and have the opportunity to set up your own personal directory, go to http://www.planetall.com/main.asp?cid=1086758 Thanks, Jeremy ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 23 Jul 1998 18:00:14 -0700 From: ozbot Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest X-MSMail-Priority: Normal Lost Princess: D'oh! I say in true Homer Simpson fashion. The day before I see Glassman's announcement regarding the BoW editioni of LPrincess, I had just purchased the Del Rey paperback so I could join in the discussion! Oh no, what am I to do? My budget dictates that I must keep the paperback, but under differenet circumstances, I might have bitten the bullet and bought the better book. (Whoops. I'm getting a bit alliterative there!) ozbot Danny Wall ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 10:11:07 -0600 (CST) From: Ruth Berman Subject: ozzy digest Gordon Birrell: I suppose looking up the answers to your bibliographic quiz in "Bibliographia Oziana" would spoil the amusement? 1. The Reilly & Lee numbering of the Oz books was one short because they didn't count "The Wizard," not having published it themselves. 2. First book to have 12 color plates -- well, "Ozma" had color on the pages rather than plates, and sos did "Patchwork Girl." "Road" had colored paper but not colored illos. I think maybe "Dorothy/Wizard" had more than 12 plates, and I know "Emerald City" did. Maybe "Tik-Tok" is the first dozener? "Captain Salt" was the first no-colorer. 3. Those typos distinguish early editions, and "Oniberon" is for Quiberon, from "Giant Horse." (I wouldn't have known off-hand, but I was looking up John L. Bell's question about how Benny got to Oz, and noticed that it was Oniberon on the caption to the frontispiece color plate.) I don't recall which books have the other two typos. 4. First endpapers blank -- I dunno. 5. Endpaper portraits of Dorothy & Ozma -- "Emerald City," I think. Redesigned labels (6/7) and dj ads (8) -- I dunno. (Barbara Belgrave: you might want to get hold of a copy of "Bibliographia Oziana," if you don't already have it, specifically as an aid in making up next year's quiz -- especially where you want to throw in a stumper. Snow's "Who's Who" and my appendix to it, might also be handy.) Dick Randolph: On "fat free" as applied to snacks (Ozzy or otherwise) -- I suspect that in general the words "fat free" mean "lots of sugar," and the words "sugar free" mean "lots of fat." John L. Bell: RPT's "Magic Cloak" has never been reprinted, although if the IWOC ever gets around to publishing a second volume of RPT's short works, it will be. Interesting comments about the 8-sided spiritualist retreat. It was probably no influence on Blinkie's cottage, though. Dan Mannix had a letter in the "Bugle" (spring 1987) discussing Blinkie's cottage. He pointed out that there are a lot of 8-sided buildings scattered about (places where something picturesque but not complicated was wanted), and Blinkie's cottage was one such in the book because it had already been one in the "Scarecrow" film. Of course, Baum might have had an 8-sider constructed as a set, but more likely he was taking advantage of a building already around. Dan thought perhaps it might have been a storage shed or caretaker's cottage in Griffith Park (where some of "Scarecrow" was filmed), and suggested that if someone cared to go hunt around there, the actual Blinkie's cottage might be found to be still there. I don't know if anyone actually tried going to look for it -- anyone on the Digest in the LA area want to give it a try? Your memory probably conflated the description of the hole Benny fell with the mention of the fact that the hole was created by blasting to give you the impression that an explosion blew him into Oz. David Hulan is correct in saying that there was no explosion when Benny dropped in. (I think Benny's arrival is the only time that the ground level in Oz does not match up with the level in our world? As described, Oz seems there to be situated in a large cavity in the Earth, with a presumably artificial sky. In RPT's other books, and other writer's books, Oz is further off than that, and not below-ground compared to our world -- or it is in "Gnome King," "Yellow Knight," and "Speedy." The travellers in "Cowardly Lion," "Lost King," and "Pirates" get from the US to Nonestica by instant wish, and distance is irrelevant.) Ruth Berman ====================================================================== Date: Fri, 24 Jul 1998 14:41:12 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 Gordon: I'm not a bibliographic specialist, but I can answer some of your trivia questions. (I might be able to answer just about all of them using BIB OZ, but consider that would be cheating.) >1. The dust jacket of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ lists this book as number 35 of >the Oz series, when in fact it is number 36 of the FF. Why is this? Because R&L didn't publish WIZARD and therefore didn't include it in their lists or numbering. Every R&L book's number on their list is one less than its rank in a chronological listing of the FF. >2. _The Wonderful Wizard of Oz_ was originally published with 24 color >plates, and _The Marvelous Land of Oz_ with 16 color plates. Which Oz book >was the first to have only 12 inserted color plates, and which was the first >to be published in first state with *no* color plates? I'm not positive, but I think DOTWIZ and ROAD respectively. The latter depends on whether you count the full-page color illustrations in OZMA as plates or not; they aren't inserted, but printed on regular book stock with text on the other side, and I'm not sure of the technical terminology. ROAD was the first with no full-page color illustrations. (The next was CAPTAIN SALT.) >3. What is the significance of the words "peices," "ONIBERON," and >"SCARECORW'S"? I'm only sure about the second, which marks the first state of GIANT HORSE when it appears instead of "Quiberon" on the caption of the frontispiece. Probably the others mark the first states of a couple of other books, but I don't know which ones; GH is the only book (except possibly SHAGGY MAN, which I bought new as soon as it appeared) that I have in first state that I know of. >4. Which *one* Reilly & Lee Oz book was published in first state with blank >endpapers? I don't know for sure, but I assume that since my BoW copy of LAND has blank endpapers it would be that one. >5. Which Oz book has endpapers featuring full-page portraits of Dorothy and >Ozma? EMERALD CITY >6. Which Oz book was published in a later printing with a new pictorial >label based on the endpapers of an earlier Oz book? No clue >7. Which three Oz books were published in later (Reilly & Lee) printings >with redesigned pictorial labels based on the first-state dust jacket >illustrations? Don't know >8. Which three Oz books had publisher's advertisements on the back of their >first-state dust jackets? Don't know Peter H.: Thanks for the amplification of what went on at the Winkie Conference. Peter G.: Delighted to hear that the BoW edition of _Lost Princess_ will be out in another month. As I've said before, it's my favorite of Baum's Oz books, and I've never even seen the color plates, much less owned a copy including them. I'm looking forward to it greatly. My current copy is one I got as a child, and it's been so well-loved and reread so many times that even though I take good care of my books it's not in primo condition. (I may even buy two copies of the new edition so I can retire my old copy from service entirely and have one to read and one to preserve in pristine shape.) Tyler: Ervic the Skeezer was a strong male character, but my impression of him was that he wasn't a juvenile character but a young adult. After all, he was part of Coo-ee-oh's "army." If you count adults then the Wizard, Shaggy Man, Cap'n Bill, and Jo Files are all strong male characters in Baum's Oz books. J.L.: >Am I wrong in remembering some steam pipe explosion or blast of water? The fire department turned a hose on Benny, but his transition to Oz came about when he fell into an excavation and broke through the bottom of it - which was apparently the sky of Oz, implying that Oz is actually located underground and that its "sky" is really the roof of an enormous cave, something like the dome in THE TRUMAN SHOW. That, or when he broke through he went through an interdimensional gate of some sort, which seems more likely to me. Nonestica is certainly large enough that no natural cave could sustain itself over it; magic would have to be involved. > Skamperoo is unusual among Thompson's villains in being more round [in >many ways] and nearly sympathetic--which is why he gets to keep his throne >and not be transformed or liquidated. True - the real villain in WISHING HORSE is Matiah, not Skamperoo. >In the rest of her books I don't >think much distinguishes one sinister magician, duplicitous courtier, or >short-tempered ruler from another. There are certainly similarities between some of Thompson's villains - Mustapha, Irashi, the Sultan of Samandra, the Ozamandarins, and Gludwig, for instance, are hardly distinguishable one from another. And there are considerable similarities between Gorba/Abrog, Mooj, Faleero, and Glegg. But there's a considerable difference between the two groups, and villains like Matiah, Loxo, Chang Wang Woe's sons, Mogodore, Clocker, and Strut are fairly individual. (Well, Mogodore and Strut have a good deal in common.) I don't count Mombi or Ruggedo because they're Baum characters, and Thompson keeps them pretty much the way Baum described them. (Better than she did the Wizard or Scraps, certainly.) > I'm also struck by how Baum tells the history >of Ugu and Kiki Aru, trying to understand how they came to be villainous; >most of Thompson's villains just are. True, but so are most of Baum's; Ugu and Kiki are unusual for his books as well. And I think Thompson does about as good a job of "humanizing" Mogodore and Skamperoo as Baum did Ugu and Kiki. Scott H.: >The chapter on Down Town in _Cowardly Lion_ certainly had >influence, as did some of her others. Wrong big cat - Down Town is in HUNGRY TIGER. Dave: Sorry to hear that your mother has been ill enough that it's occupied your time. I hope that she's much better by now. Unless there are a number of people who want to participate (even if just by reading other people's posts more knowledgeably) and don't have a copy of the book, I don't really see a need to wait. The only advantage would be the ability to comment on the color plates (and maybe see the b/w art better, if someone is depending on a Del Rey edition), since the text isn't going to change. Sorry, but I don't know anything about South Winkies. I did hear the date mentioned at Winkies, but since I've no plans to go I didn't make a particular note of it. (I think it was October 17, but no guarantees. I do remember for sure that it was in October, FWIW.) As for when the flier for it will be out, I doubt if anyone knows other than whoever's in charge of producing it. I do know that Robyn Knutson, the chairperson, is supposed to be 8 months pregnant at the time, which may make some things a little dicey. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 12:07:12 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: I've been published!! (fwd) Oz Cc: movies@music.iupui.edu ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1998 15:40:37 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Cc: jfern@iupui.edu Subject: Re: I've been published!! My review of the reissue of the soundtrack for _The Wiz_ (1st time on CD) has been printed in _Film Score Monthly_, Volume 3, number 6, July 1998. Unfortunately, I found several things wrong with it that shows it was hastily edited. ALso I did not get paid. If you cannot find a copy, contact Lukas Kendall (lukas@filmscoremonthly.com) if you wish to see it. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 11:53:35 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 Ted: I don't think the Scarecrow's dance sequence should ever have been cut in the first place. MGM thought 112 minutes was too long, that's the only reason it and other scenes were cut. Too bas we couldn't show them the drivel that's taking 140 minutes now (Emmerich's _Godzilla_). Gordon 1. _Land_ was considered first because _Wizard_ was from a different publisher. 2. Captain Salt was the first without color plates; Grampa was the first with only 12. 3. They are misspelled. 4. Hidden Valley 5. Emerald City 6. I think the endpapers are from PG 7. Ozma, Tik-Tok, Road 8. The Neill books Scott ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 98 12:55:24 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things ABOUT THIS RE-RELEASE OF _WIZARD OF OZ_: Is there really any reason to go to see it in the theatre when it is so avaialble on video? Based on what my dad has told me, the only reason I can think of is to see the transition from sepia to technicolor as it was meant to be seen, without the color filters required on video that I gather spoil the illusion...Any opinions? I'm not sure about the restoration of the Scarecrow's dance...I'm sure Ray Bolger would have been delighted, but it does seem a bit long. I'm inclined to go along with J. L. Bell's "Wasp in a Wig" analogy. (BTW, I hate that episode and am glad Carroll took it out...It's pointless, unfunny, momentum-slowing, and anti-climatic after the White Knight, IMHO.) My parents are strongly in favor of leaving the dance out, or at best, including it only as an outtake at the end of the video/DVD version. BTW, can I ask a non-Ozzy question about DVD? Why can't you play DVDs in a standard CD-ROM? Are DVDs higher-density disks, and if so, how many megs of disk space do they correspond to? TECHNOLOGY IN OZ: J.L. Bell wrote: >Baum's adoption of new technology may indeed be another trait that >distinguishes his story-telling style from his successors'. Though his Oz >doesn't seem to have the steam engine or refined petroleum, it does include >clockwork, electricity, radio, and other relatively contemporary >inventions. That's why I never understood the criticism of Neill's books in _The Oz Scrapbook_, saying "Oz should be timeless!" You can criticize the Neill books for a lot of reasons, but not IMHO for that because Baum wasn't strictly "timeless" either... Dan -- my hero in both _Locasta and the Three Adepts of Oz_ and "that other manuscript" -- is a computer whiz in Oz...In one scene, he teaches Ozma how to use a computer. Also, the Adepts first contact Dan by using their steam-and-electricity-powered magic to tap into the Internet. >You describe Oz characters listening to specific contemporary music--I >suspect Baum avoided that for fear of quickly dating his stories. Only on >the Isle of Phreex do I recall him alluding to a composer by name >("Vogner"). My Oz stories are filled with (affectionate) burlesques of contempory songs, especially Enya (Glinda's favorite pop songs: "Winkie River Flow", "Book of Records", "Munchkin Country Blue" and "Only If You're Ozzy")... In one song that Jellia sings (Yes, she's quite a "Phebe bird" in my stories!), I took Jon and Vangelis' "Italian Song and gave it Ozzy lyrics based on words I thought the original song's chant-gibberish sounded like. A WORD FROM MY OZ INFORMANT: Jellia: I have a very important, pressing, albeit non-Ozzy question to ask...Why does Turner Classic Movies interminably show those "Joe McDoakes" shorts?? They're more irritating than the Wogglebug's lectures, and about as funny as Neill's puns! -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 26 - 27, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 14:35:33 -0700 (PDT) From: VoVat Quetzalcoatlus Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-22-98 X-Originating-IP: [152.163.201.197] Gordon: >1. The dust jacket of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ lists this book as number 35 of >the Oz series, when in fact it is number 36 of the FF. Why is this? Because only the books published by Reilly & Britton/Lee were counted. >5. Which Oz book has endpapers featuring full-page portraits of Dorothy and >Ozma? _Emerald City_, I think. Scott: >Unfortunately, not having read >_Handy Mandy_, I forgot about Himself the Elf, but my elves don't >necessarily (and proably do not) contradict anything here. I would doubt that they do. Himself is only one elf, and I wouldn't be surprised if there were several races of elves living in Oz. Nathan Mulac DeHoff ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 15:09:42 -0700 (PDT) From: VoVat Quetzalcoatlus Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 X-Originating-IP: [152.163.201.188] I was just replying to the last Digest when I received this one. J. L. Bell: >But I recall being determined in a little-boy way to read >*all* the Oz books listed in the front of my edition of ROAD. It was the >same instinct that makes some people want to own *all* the Beanie Babies >or >*all* first editions or the like. Did other folks feel this sort of >completism? Where does one draw the line at reading enough (for me, at the >pseudonymous series)? Well, my "main mission" in reading Oz books was to read the FF, and I've done that. I'll still read other Baum and Oz material when I can, but I don't have quite as much drive to do this as I did to finish the FF. I do tend to be somewhat obsessive when it comes to things I like, though. >Baum's adoption of new technology may indeed be another trait that >distinguishes his story-telling style from his successors'. Though his Oz >doesn't seem to have the steam engine or refined petroleum, it does include >clockwork, electricity, radio, and other relatively contemporary >inventions. Until OZOPLANING, did Thompson do the same, or did she stick to >magic and the technology of early modern Europe? Some of the vehicles in Thompson's books, such as the Flyaboutabus and Tik-Tok's handcar in _Wishing Horse_, are probably more modern than anything in early modern Europe. Clockwork appeared in Thompson's books (although it was usually reserved for clocks), and electricity certainly appeared. Ozma's palace has electric lights in _Lost King_, and Sir Hokus mentions electronic burglar alarms in _Yellow Knight_. Nathan Mulac DeHoff ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 19:16:46 -0400 (EDT) From: Ozmama@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 Robin: Whatever happened, I hope things are well now.>>Lisa I'm on cortisone,and it's helping. It was the drug of last resort for me, since diabetics are not allowed it; it makes the blood sugar shoot up several hundred points. If this works well enough, I won't have to go to a neurosurgeon. Keep your finger crossed for me, please. The very idea of back surgery makes me nervous. Dave: Is there really any reason to go to see it in the theatre when it is so avaialble on video? Based on what my dad has told me, the only reason I can think of is to see the transition from sepia to technicolor as it was meant to be seen, without the color filters required on video that I gather spoil the illusion...Any opinions?>> Yes. It's quite a different experience seeing a movie on big screen, surrounded by others in an audience, than sitting in a much smaller room seeing it on a much smaller screen and with a much smaller audience. I never thought it would make a big difference, but I saw it once in a theater in Tulsa (Susan Hall had arranged for a showing for a Quadling Con) and was wowed at how different it felt. Others with me felt the same way. I don't watch the movie very often, but I'll certainly go see it on big screen. We should maybe try to get together with other Ozzies in our area to see it together. Unfortunately for me, now that Jim Vandernoot has moved, there are no real Ozzies here in the Houston area. Hey, Gordon...wanna meet somewhere halfway between Dallas and Houston? Maybe Corsicana or someplace a bit further south? I'll bet Atty will join us. Maybe Mike D., too? :o) ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 20:32:00 -0400 (EDT) From: "James R. Whitcomb" Subject: For Ozzy Digest Dave H.: I am responding to your post re: why one should go see "The Wizard of Oz" at the theatre when it's so readily available on video. Well, being the big fan that I am of the movie, I think "all" fans of the movie should go see it for no other reason than to pay tribute to it for it's 60th anniversary. All of the added footage is a nice bonus in my opinion. And, more importantly, seeing it on the "big" screen will enable folks to actually "see" many of those hotly debated sequences that have occurred over the years. Some of which are: 1. Seeing Dorothy wearing a brown/yellow dress for that split second as she passes from sepia tone in the Gale farm house to technicolor in the Land of Oz where the dress becomes blue/white. 2. Seeing better the glimmer of the shoes (which I think are Ruby Slippers) as Miss Gulch becomes the Witch (which I think is the WWE) when Dorothy is up inside the cyclone. 3. Seeing that overly asked question: Was there really a hanging on the set of "The Wizard of Oz"? be demystified once and for all. For those of you who don't know, it was a large bird!!!!!! 4. Seeing the scene in the apple orchard when Dorothy is NOT wearing the Ruby Slippers on her feet ... etc., etc., etc. In summary, it is a better film on the big screen just like most other films. I rarely buy/rent videos because I think much is lost when one can plop a video into a VCR and watch it on a small screen. Gone are such things as the effect of the movie, ambience, and even tradition. Remember the song "Video Killed the Radio Star", well video killed tradition for "The Wizard of Oz" as well. That is one of the major reasons why it will no longer be played on network tv each year! Anyone: Did anyone get to the Rob Roy MacVeigh sale preview or auction in San Francisco a couple weekends ago? I found out last Saturday that I was the highest bidder on the items which I bid on. I was thrilled! I quickly sent my check out this week and can't wait until I receive my goodies. When I heard about the auction from the IWOC, I immediately re-read my Spring 1993 Baum Bugle which has a very touching article about Rob written by John Fricke. I also received an email from Pacific Book Auctions, because of my WOZ website, containing a nice tribute about Rob written by Peter Hanff. Take care, Jim Whitcomb of ... Jim's "Wizard of Oz" Website URL: http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/Hills/6396/ ====================================================================== Date: Sat, 25 Jul 1998 20:43:44 -0700 From: Bob Spark Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 X-Accept-Language: en Dave Hardenbrook, > ABOUT THIS RE-RELEASE OF _WIZARD OF OZ_: > Is there really any reason to go to see it in the theatre when it > is so avaialble on video? Based on what my dad has told me, the only > reason I can think of is to see the transition from sepia to technicolor > as it was meant to be seen, without the color filters required on video > that I gather spoil the illusion...Any opinions? I can recall seeing the film in a theater at about 6 or 7 years old (around 1946-1947). The experience is one that I cherish although the Wicked Witch and the flying monkeys scared the bejeezus out of me. My folks took me and kidded me afterward about my spending more time in the bathroom (hiding from the Witch) than watching the movie. I strongly doubt that any viewing of the film on tape (if that were possible at the time) could have had as strong effect on me. Damnit, the great films were made to be seen in a theater, not on a television set. The experience is not comparable. Kinda like reading about sex as opposed to experiencing the real thing. Bob Spark ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 04:22:23 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 >Peter Glassman wrote: ><couple of more weeks since the Books of Wonder edition will be shipping in >August.>> I'm sure the Books of Wonder edition will be a fine one, indeed, and they are to be congratulated for producing such fine volumes of the Oz series. (In fact, I think they are the finest volumes ever produced of the Oz books.) And if you've never seen the color work in Lost Princess, I'm sure you'll be delighted. I've always liked the plates in this volume. (Neill must have really enjoyed picturing the Frogman.) In fact, I have a 1st edition and I still plan to buy the BOW edition. However, having said that, I don't know if delaying the discussion is worthwhile for the following reasons: 1) At the rate the discussion is going now it's going to take until about 2003 or so to finish the 40 books in the series. Then there are the Baum non-Oz books.... 2) Does this mean we wait for the BOW editions of _Tin Woodman_, _Magic_, and _Glinda_ too? 3) Are there really that many here who haven't read this book? It's never been out of print. And as a last resort, it should be at your library. Anyway, just my 2 cents. Sincerely, Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 04:30:54 -0400 From: International Wizard of Oz Club Subject: FW: oz checks Importance: Normal X-MSMail-Priority: Normal X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft MimeOLE V4.72.2106.4 Must be some of you Ozzy Digest subscribers what's got Oz checks! Can y'all help. Thanxx, Jim -----Original Message----- From: hooshang dawoodi [mailto:HOOSHANG@webtv.net] Sent: Wednesday, July 22, 1998 7:21 PM Subject: oz checks I would like to know if anyone lnows of any company that markets bank checks with the OZ go. Thanks. Elaine Dawoodi ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 06:25:35, -0500 From: NQAE93A@prodigy.com (MR ROBERT J COLLINGE) Subject: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 >ABOUT THIS RE-RELEASE OF _WIZARD OF OZ_: Is there really any reason to go to see it in the theatre when it is so available on video?< Our local movie theater shows the WOO once a year on the big screen. It is such a different experience seeing it other than on tv. You see so much more. I would suggest looking beyond the characters into the scenery to see things you never knew were there. It is also plain to see that the "hanging man" is really just a big bird. We showed the WOO on the ceiling of the Planetarium Dome at the Oz Fiesta in April, and everyone loved it. I highly recommend it. Bob C. ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 11:32:34 -0500 From: Gordon Birrell Subject: Ozzy Digest Congratulations to all who braved my Oz Bibliography Trivia Quiz, and particularly to Dick Randolph, who missed only one point (the significance of "ONIBERON"). Here are Dick's answers again, with some commentary from me: >1. I have no idea why the dj of _Lucky Bucky in Oz_ is numbered 35! >(Perhaps they weren't counting The Wizard?) Yes, Robin put it most succinctly: "Reilly and Britton/Lee didn't have the rights to publish _Wizard_, so they sorta pretended that the series started with their first title: _Land_." In 1956 R & L published _Wizard_ and finally acknowledged it as part of the series. >2. Tik-tok in Oz was the first to have 12 inserted color plates, and >Ozma of Oz >was the first with *no* color plates. This was a trick question, in that it referred to color *plates* as opposed to color illustrations or colored pages; as Ruth noted: '"Ozma" had color on the pages rather than plates, and so did "Patchwork Girl." "Road" had colored paper but not colored illos. I think maybe "Dorothy/Wizard" had more than 12 plates, and I know "Emerald City" did. Maybe "Tik-Tok" is the first dozener? "Captain Salt" was the first no-colorer.' >3. "peices" was a misprint in the 1st ed. Wizard, and "Scarecorws" in >1st ed. Royal Book. "ONIBERON" ?, not a clue! "ONIBERON", as several of you were quick to point out, is a misspelling of "QUIBERON" on the frontispiece of the first state of _Giant Horse_; it was corrected in later printings. > >4. The only Reilly & Lee Oz book, 1st state, no end papers was >Wishing Horse. This is an important point for collectors, since later printings of several of the Thompsons, Neills, and Snows can be identified immediately from their blank endpapers. David wrote: "I don't know for sure, but I assume that since my BoW copy of LAND has blank endpapers it would be that one." The original endpapers of _Marvelous Land_ had a drawing of the Sawhorse pulling a two-wheeled cart in which sit the Scarecrow and the Tin Woodman, represented by full-figure photographs of Montgomery and Stone. Mike Denio, with whom I've discussed this matter, speculates--rightly, I think--that BoW omitted the original endpapers because the photographs of Montgomery and Stone would have been confusing to modern children. Also, like the further tribute to Montgomery and Stone on the verso of the author's page, these endpapers have the look of a merchandising tie-in with the stage show. > >5. Oz book with portraits of Ozma & Dorothy endpapers is Emerald City. Notable for being one of the most florid representations of these two young ladies. >6. Oz book with pictorial label based on endpapers of an earlier Oz book >is Emerald City - (endpapers from Dorothy & The Wizard.) The quickest way to determine if a copy of _Emerald City_ is second state or later. > >7. Three R&L later printings with pictorial labels based on 1st state >dj's were Ozma, Road and Patchwork Girl. Robin suggested the white-cover _Tik-Tok_ as a possible answer to this one. Depending on how you read the question, this actually could be correct. According to the Bibliographia Oziana, the white edition has a cover illustration that reproduces the *original* dust-jacket design that Neill produced for the first-state _Tik-Tok_; R & B decided instead to go with the illustration from the pictorial label. > >8. Three Oz books with publisher's ads on the back of 1st state dj's >were Dorothy & The Wizard, Road and Emerald City. I threw this one in so that there would be at least one question that might cause even the experts to pause for reflection. For most of us, first-state dust jackets for _Dorothy and the Wizard_, _Road_, and _Emerald City_ are almost beyond imagining. Word has it that a copy of _Emerald City_ in dust jacket sold at the recent MacVeigh auction for $7000. --Gordon Birrell ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 12:57:55 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 Lisa: How did your interview go? I retroactively wish you luck . . . J.L. Bell: << I'm curious about why you haven't read WONDER CITY since it's now widely available. Obviously, the descriptions of it in the Digest have been less than compelling. But I recall being determined in a little-boy way to read *all* the Oz books listed in the front of my edition of ROAD. It was the same instinct that makes some people want to own *all* the Beanie Babies or *all* first editions or the like. Did other folks feel this sort of completism? Where does one draw the line at reading enough (for me, at the pseudonymous series)?>> We discussed this briefly on the Digest, before you came on, I think--some people (like me) just want reading copies, rather than first editions, etc.; while others want all the first editions (the "originals") as possible. Neither way is inherently better than the other, we decided; we agreed to disagree . . . << You describe Oz characters listening to specific contemporary music--I suspect Baum avoided that for fear of quickly dating his stories. Only on the Isle of Phreex do I recall him alluding to a composer by name ("Vogner").>> But Wagner is popular even today, in "classical" music circles (which encompass three eras, but that's not the point). Dave Hardenbrook: A thought--if I go and die on you, but I've submitted something to the Digest already, will you publish it post-humously? Oops--I sort of ended this on a sour note--I'll compensate by telling a more uplifting joke now: The riverboat barbecuers advertised their dinner party as being "for every grill and buoy" . . . I don't think that helped. Oh well. Until next time, Jeremy Steadman, http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Dimension/9619 ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 14:02:10 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 Tyler: >David Hulan: >All we can do is wait, and then we can write about whatever we please. Yeah, but waiting patiently for copyrights to expire is easier for you, in your twenties, than for me, in my sixties. Even if they don't extend copyrights, I won't be able to use Davy Jones until I'm 82. I hope I'll still be writing by then, but what are the odds? James: >The new recording of Paul Tietjens' "Pantomime" opening number from the 1902 >Wizard of Oz extravaganza was my work, so I got to be at WinkieCon in spirit, >at least. Hope you enjoyed it. I, at least, enjoyed it very much, and quite a few other people said the same. And David gave you full credit for your work on it. J.L.: I don't see anything wrong with producing augmented editions of an artist's work based on his earlier versions as long as it's clearly labeled as such, and doesn't purport to supersede the version the author preferred (whether for artistic or commercial reasons). As to which is "better," I think each reader/viewer has to decide that for himself. Nobody has a monopoly on esthetic taste, including the creator of the work. (Though the creator has a right not to have his preferred version lost.) Sometimes it's the creator himself who can't make up his mind; James Branch Cabell rewrote his books frequently for new editions, so that the original edition, Kalki edition, and Storisende edition of a given book are clearly different. Cabell's own favorite (at the end of his life, anyhow) was the Storisende edition, but critics often believe the original or Kalki edition to be the best. >Thanks, though that may not be much of a compliment. Certainly saying >someone draws better than J. L. Bell isn't high praise! Granted, saying you write better than Neill isn't much of a compliment, but I'd already complimented the story. The thing that reminded me of Neill was the high level of punning, which except for a few passages (like the Utensia sequence in EC) wasn't as pronounced in Baum or Thompson. All the Oz writers except Snow used puns frequently, but seldom at the rate of more than one or two per page. (Your puns were much better than Neill's, though.) As soon as I found out there were multiple Oz books I wanted to read them all, though I didn't complete that task for a great many years. _Captain Salt_, _Handy Mandy_, _Wonder City_, _Scalawagons_, _Hidden Valley_, and of course _Merry-Go-Round_ were left for my adult years. >Where does one draw the line at reading enough (for me, at the >pseudonymous series)? Pseudonymous series? You mean the works Baum wrote under a pseudonym? > You describe Oz characters listening to specific contemporary music--I >suspect Baum avoided that for fear of quickly dating his stories. Only on >the Isle of Phreex do I recall him alluding to a composer by name >("Vogner"). That's the only time I recall Baum referring to a composer by name, but his reference to rag-time and the "coon song" in _Patchwork Girl_ do date that story fairly narrowly. Jermey: >Nice to hear the Jitterbug segment will be inserted--put in its place, so to >speak ;-). I don't think the Jitterbug segment will be inserted - to the best of my knowledge, that film is lost, except for a home movie of it shot from the wrong angle. The Scarecrow's dance referred to is one that happens during the course of Dorothy's first meeting him. The actual publication date of _Wizard_ was 1900. Copyright date is 1899; it was probably written in 1898. >David Hulan: >Many best wishes for your mother's speedy recovery! I know what having sick >relatives is like . . . That was Dave Hardenbrook, not me, whose mother has recently been ill. My mother died in May, so I'm afraid she's past hope of recovery... Ruth: >(Barbara >Belgrave: you might want to get hold of a copy of "Bibliographia >Oziana," if you don't already have it, specifically as an aid in making >up next year's quiz -- especially where you want to throw in a >stumper. Snow's "Who's Who" and my appendix to it, might also be >handy.) It's Barb DeJohn, not Barbara Belgrave, who's doing next year's Winkie quiz. I agree with your recommendations of _Who's Who_ and your appendix to it, but I think questions requiring knowledge of BIB OZ material should be off-limits. To me at least, the quizzes are intended to test contestants' knowledge of the Oz books, not of Ozian bibliography. If the bibliophiles want to make up their own quizzes centering on bibliographic data that would be fine, but then the proper volume to study is BIB OZ, not the books themselves. Dave: >BTW, can I ask a non-Ozzy question about DVD? Why can't you play DVDs >in a standard CD-ROM? Are DVDs higher-density disks, and if so, how >many megs of disk space do they correspond to? Yes, they are higher density. I don't know how much higher, but a lot; video requires frequencies in the megahertz range, whereas audio (which is the equivalent of the format used in standard CD-ROMs) only requires maybe 50 kilohertz. You know that an audio CD plays on the order of 70 minutes max; something that's going to play significantly longer, _and_ handle 20-50X the data rate, is obviously going to require much more density. Data compression can handle some of that - but standard CD-ROMs aren't equipped to decode the data compression, either. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 15:17:27 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: from high over Oz Sender: "J. L. Bell" Thanks, Ruth Berman and Dave Hulan, for reviewing how Benny got from Boston to Oz. Now that I'm back in the Boston area myself, I opened GIANT HORSE and realized, to my shock, that I'd been misreading that passage for 22 years. I started with the firm knowledge that plunging through the crust of the Earth can bring you to the Mangaboo Kingdom, but not to Oz. Given that, the only way to make sense of Benny's trip is that he stumbled into a construction site and was blasted into the air along with a hillock's worth of soil, though the "workmen...had not intended to blow such a terrific hole in the earth"; the stone man's weight pulls him down through the dirt cloud ("a thin crust of earth [followed by] a damp darkness") and then through the air ("a crust of blue sky [and] blazing sunlight"); and he ends up on, and in, the soil of Oz. One could argue that Benny's interpretation of how he got to Oz may not be reliable, given his limited experience of the world and his undeniable rockheadedness. But a literal reading of GIANT HORSE certainly says that Boston is built over land near the Emerald City. Folks here have long thought we're at the hub of the solar system! Jeremy Steadman asked: <> The Ozzy Digest for 9 March 1998 has a detailed rundown of when George M. Hill published WONDERFUL WIZARD, based on Michael Patrick Hearn's ANNOTATED WIZARD. The short version is that Baum, Denslow, and their publisher hoped for publication in 1899, but neither claimed the copyright nor settled on a final title until early 1900; the book was published in May 1900 and repromoted for Christmas. The year 2000 will be the centennial of the book's completion and arrival in American culture. What exactly does the IWoOC list say about 1898? Does it say that's when Baum composed his first draft, or when a list-maker supposes the events in WIZARD take place? On other IWoOC material--such as the bookmark issued to promote WICKED WITCH--the 1900 date appears. Ruth Berman wrote: <> I've heard that the octagon-shaped *house* (larger than that cottage in HIS MAJESTY) was promoted as a mansion for the common people. Like the Volkswagen, in some way. Most of those houses don't have the high-peaked roof of the Massachusetts wigwam, however, which is what presumably links that structure to Native American architecture, even though teepees didn't appear in the Northeast. That roof is also what gives the building a slightly Ozzy look. If "Blinkie's cottage" is still visitable in Los Angeles, that would be quite a rare preservation for the region. As Steve Martin wrote for L.A. STORY, "Some of these buildings are over *twenty* years old!" J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 13:05:02 -0700 From: Peter Hanff Subject: Pantomime from The Wizard of Oz Cc: Dave Hardenbrook Hi there James Doyle! Yes, your recreation of Paul Tietjens' Pantomime from the 1902 version of The Wizard of Oz was great. It conveyed the sense of magic and fantasy that must have captivated the audiences at the beginning of the century. The entire audience was ready to plunge right into a full performance of the extravaganza. I look forward to your progress on extending the score into a full-fledged recording. It's attractive enough to draw in a whole new generation. Congratulations. I think we'd all be interested in knowing more about the steps you have taken to create the recording. All who haven't had the pleasure of hearing what you have accomplished should watch for announcements of a more general release of the music. Peter ====================================================================== Date: Sun, 26 Jul 1998 22:38:17 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones Jeremy: I believe that Baum wrote _Wizard_ in 1899, but THe George M. Hill company was swamped, so he had to wait until 1900, the year the book was actually and offically published. He may have written parts of it in 1898 as well. Dave: I think it would be cool to see the movie on the big screen at least once. Too bad that giant screen theatre was torn down in central Phoenix. I'm not up on the current DVD state, but the difference must either be different formats or densities. --Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 00:42:21 -0700 (PDT) From: "W. R. Wright" Subject: Oz Digest Can anyone can tell me where I can get a copy of each of Baum's plays? I assume that there is no commercial in-print source, but I assume that there are members of the Oz Digest who have obtained copies and could make a copy available, or at least advise where copies could be obtained. Bill in Ozlo ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 14:13:06 -0700 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Cross Genre: For any fans of Adam Sandler, how's this for an Oz book? _Tollbooth Willie meets the Guardian of the Gates_? Don't forget your $1.25 (all quarters, of course...) Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 16:30:53 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-25-98 Music in Oz: My references to music in my Oz books generally would not date the text since they usually instill some particular meaning or character development, and it is not always contemporary. The two cases I listed deal with alternative rock clashing with contemporary classical, which is mostly for fun, but it is rare when the music mentioned in one of my books does not have much more significance. A song from the 1902 muscial also appears in it, as does a good deal other pre-existing music. I actually do cite actual compositions, and I would probably need to get permission to use the lyrics of the inane little "Follow the Yellow Brick Road" song from the SuperScope storyteller. I bought the chartreuse cassette at a garage sale, and do not have the accompanying book, so I have no idea who wrote it. It wasn't Arlen and Harburg, I'll tell you that. The other day I found the Rankin Bass RTO at a flea market, which cost me $8.40, used. There was a bit of damage on the preceding trailer (for a limited-animation version of _20,000 Leagues Under the Sea_), but I haven't watched the rest (no time). I would gladly put this in the Hozpitality Room in 2000, because the replacement value is $95. The clamshell case is black like _Fantasia_'s, though I have never seen a rental copy that did not have this in white, so it may have been a replacement, though I've never seen such cases sold separately. I take my Oz books seriously because I'm writing art novels, rather than simply telling a good story. It probably bears strongest resemblance to _Wizard_ however. It relegats its good vs. evil struggle to a single chapter, and involves other conflicts, instead, such as vs. self and vs. nature, like Wizard. The major difference is that Baum's characters in _wizard_ had a clear goal, wheras mine do not. My characters all want something, but they aren't sure what. Even Tip, who ostensibly wants to be co-ruler of Oz with Ozma, doesn't really want that, and isn't sure what he wants. It is a bit post-modern, whicle Baum was in the transition between the romantics and the modernists. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 18:27:32 -0400 (EDT) From: "James R. Whitcomb" Subject: For Ozzy Digest X-Sender: jwhitcom@pop.service.ohio-state.edu To: DaveH47@delphi.com (Ozzy Digest) I received the following email from a visitor to my website. If anyone can help him out, please email him directly. Thanks! Jim Whitcomb. I have a copy of "Over the Rainbow" from the Wizard of Oz dated 1939. It appears to be original sheet music and is in like brand new condition. Can you give me an idea of its value or direct me to a website where I could determine the value? It has been with my family since the movie was first shown and I believe my great aunt obtained it in 1939 or 1940. I would appreciate any help you could give me. My email addres is: jkroot@softcom.net. Thanks, J. Root ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 98 15:35:04 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things "THE 100 BEST": On Random House has a list of the greatest 100 books written since 1900..._The Wizard of Oz_ is currently not on the list. Anyone want to go there and vote for it? SATANIC OZ??: For those of us who are exasperated by the Bible-thumpers' claims of Satanism in the Oz books, at http://www.geocities.com/Broadway/Alley/9610/ is a parody article about alleged Satanism in the comic strip _Peanuts_. It made me laugh, anyway... BCF: Well, it appears we're split on whether or not to delay the _Lost Princess_ discussion...FWIW, on the Red Dwarf List, the ECF (*Episode* of Current Focus) gets one week to be discussed. Period. Then we move on. I'm not about to introduce that level of rigidity, but perhaps it isn't fair to delay the discussion...Perhaps I'd better put it to an official vote. Please vote "Yes" to delay the discussion to September 1 or until the first announcement on this list of "I've got the BoW _Lost Princess_!" whichever comes first. A "No" vote means we proceed with the discussion in a week's time. Remember, your vote counts! :) DVD: Thanks to David H. for the explaination! Well, I guess Jellia was right...She told me that she refused to get a CD player unless she could get something in writing saying that that was the last thing they were going to invent. Consequently, Ozma is arranging therapy sessions for Ozites (including me) whose computers are less than two years old and are already museum pieces. -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_ ] c/ \ /___\ *** THE OZZY DIGEST, JULY 28 - 30, 1998 *** |@ @| | V | \\\ |\_/| | ;;; \-/ \ ;/ >< ] ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 23:03:14 -0400 From: Tyler Jones Subject: Oz Sender: Tyler Jones Group think: I'll offer to head out to L.A. to see the MGM re-release. Anybody over there interested? Also, does anybody know when it will be released? Bob: The great movies are definitely better on the big screen. You just get so much more out of it. Get them all while supplies last: When I first saw the list of Oz books in _Road_, I was stunned. I knew of the Baum 14, since my Aunt had all of the white-back R&L's, but I was intrigued by the exotic names. Who was The "Purple Prince", or The "Wishing Horse", or "Captain Salt"? Where was the "Hidden Valley"? I was a little disturbed at the fact that the "King" was "Lost" implying that he would be found again, since that meant that Ozma would no longer rule, but I had to get them all. From 1976 to 1983 (age 7 to 24), I labored, and finally got them all, with _Lucky Bucky_ putting me over the top. Dave: Well, my computer is three years old, but I'm already having trouble finding vinyl LP's for my CD-ROM and this rotary-dial modem is just too much! :-) Of course, how old is old? On the WB, they're already running "classic" Dawson's Creek! Tyler Jones ====================================================================== Date: Mon, 27 Jul 1998 23:28:44 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: set-up of Oz Sender: "J. L. Bell" Nathan DeHoff wrote: <> I see the electric items as extensions of those Baum already installed in Ozma's palace. He also brought clockwork to Oz, in-dub-it-ab-ly. Thompson's "new technology"--the Flyaboutbus, ozoplanes, the Wizard's searchlight, and Captain Salt's balloon sails--somewhat resemble contemporary technology, but I think she portrays them all as relying on magic to work. In contrast, Baum depicts Oz's radio telegraph, balloon, and phonograph as working the same way America's do. All in all, Thompson doesn't seem to share the "technology can seem like magic" message Baum promulgated in WIZARD, QUEER VISITORS, MAGIC KEY, and other works. No question that Tik-Tok's handcar is technology kids could see in their own world in the 1930s. How did Tik-Tok steer it without rails, though? ["Ve-ry care-ful-ly."] Dave Hulan asked: <> Yes. I was using the word "series" as a plural. Couldn't you tell?! Which is to say, no matter how "completist" I may feel about reading L. Frank Baum fantasies, I suffer no urge to finish the TWINKLE books or collect old [or new] editions of BOY FORTUNE HUNTERS and AUNT JANE'S NIECES. I would read AUNT JANE'S NIECES MEET THE BOY FORTUNE HUNTERS if anyone wants to write that! Dave Hulan wrote about my story: <> I was trying to write a vaudeville, like Jack Pumpkinhead's first encounter with Jellia Jamb, so I grabbed every opening the tale's structure allowed for puns. In some other Oz writings I insert characters as fond of wordplay as I am and let them deliberately make those jokes, like Prof. Wogglebug. But poor Jack, in my characterization, doesn't know when he's speaking on two levels. (After the version you read I removed one pun that, on reflection, hinted he was actually tumbling to his own jokes.) I think in some of Neill's episodes (and in Utensia) the puns drive the action. That can unfortunately mean there's no action at all, just a joke in need of a rim shot. To me it seems like cheating for a punster to create artificial set-ups for punch lines rather than chasing down the opportunities within a story. In other words, a wag should be dogging his tale. Dave Hardenbrook wrote: < Random House has a list of the greatest 100 books written since 1900..._The Wizard of Oz_ is currently not on the list. Anyone want to go there and vote for it?>> Is this a poll of readers themselves? Because nothing we do at Random will change the "official," widely publicized poll of the Modern Library's editors for the 100 best novels in English in the 20th century. Nor can we move WIZARD's publication into the 20th century. Nor, that poll made clear, will top literary critics soon regard books for young people as worthy of greatness. [One of the Modern Library's editors is Gore Vidal; he could conceivably have voted for WIZARD. Then again, he could conceivably have voted for BURR.] LOST PRINCESS vote: Yes for a delay, no to setting a precedent for future books. In two days I set off for Wilmington, and I won't be home for two weeks after that. So my analysis is likely to come at the end of August anyway. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 01:16:42 -0400 (EDT) From: Orange5193@aol.com Subject: Re: 1902 Oz Music/ Oz plays in print. First of all, thank you very much, Peter Hanff and David Hulan for the comments re the 1902 Oz music tape David Maxine played at the Winkie Conference. Given the rather solitary nature of my end of the work on this, positive feedback is very much appreciated. David Maxine and I have a couple of 1902 Wizard projects in the works, so keep an eye on this space. RE: 1939 Wizard of Oz Theatrical Release... While I have problems with the film, (and the reinsertion of the Scarecrow dance), I will say seeing the MGM "Wizard of Oz" with an audience around you is a very different experience and worth your while. James ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 10:07:54 -0500 From: David Hulan Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-27-98 Jeremy: >A thought--if I go and die on you, but I've submitted something to the Digest >already, will you publish it post-humously? That's a grim thought - but realistically the answer almost has to be "yes," because what are the odds that Dave would find out about your death (or anyone else's on the Digest) between getting a post and sending out the Digest? Even in a case where a Digester has a person close to them who's on-line, I'm sure there'd be a several-day lag between the death and someone getting around to notifying the Digest about it. I know that if I were to die, Marcia would eventually get around to letting the Digest know about it, but equally sure that it would be several days. Unless it happened at an Oz convention or some such where some other Oz fan who's on the Digest would report it quickly. (There might be an exception for someone who's prominent enough in Oz fandom that someone else in Oz fandom would be notified at once - Peter Hanff, say, or Patrick Maund or Robin Olderman or a few others. As happened with Warren Hollister's death last year; he wasn't ever on the Digest, but the word went out the day after his death. Not likely for most of us, I suspect.) Dave: I concur with all the people who advise you to go see WOO on the big screen. I've seen it that way a good many times, and while the video is nice for being able to look at specific scenes repetitively to check on minutiae, it's nothing like seeing it as it was meant to be seen. >On Random House has >a list of the greatest 100 books written since 1900..._The Wizard of Oz_ is >currently not on the list. Anyone want to go there and vote for it? Are they taking votes for a new list or something? I hadn't heard about that. Anyhow, there weren't any children's books on the list that I can recall; after all, it was arrived at by the vote of a committee of LitCrit types, and as you would expect is weighted heavily toward gloomy, introspective, and/or difficult-to-read books, none of which applies to _The Wizard of Oz_. _Wicked_ would be far more likely to make such a list from that kind of panel. My vote is to go ahead on _Lost Princess_ next week, but I won't mind waiting if other people feel strongly about it. >Well, I guess Jellia was right...She told me that she refused to get a CD >player unless she could get something in writing saying that that was the >last thing they were going to invent. Consequently, Ozma is arranging >therapy sessions for Ozites (including me) whose computers are less >than two years old and are already museum pieces. Change happens. Technology improves. Refusing to adopt new technologies unless they're never going to change again basically means being a Luddite and never adopting a new technology, because they'll always change. (Of course, some things take longer than others. Italian violins of the Baroque era are still considered the best - but I'm confident that someday someone will make a better one. By contrast, computers still improve substantially every few months.) I got a lot of pleasure out of 78 rpm records when I was a kid, and 45s when I was a teen, and LPs as a young adult, cassettes (for mobile use) somewhat later, and CDs more recently, and would feel that I'd deprived myself unnecessarily if I'd eschewed any of these new technologies waiting until the Ultimate came along. David Hulan ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 11:11:17 -0400 From: Richard Randolph Subject: Ozzy Digest 7-27-98 Gordon - Thanks for the kind words regarding my answers to your Oz Trivia Quiz, but according to comments in the 7-25 Digest, I apparently violated the rules by using Bib. Oz as a reference source. (The reason I missed the "Oniberon"- "Quiberon" part was because my copy of Bib. Oz. doesn't mention the misprint, and my copy of Giant Horse is, alas, a later printing - sans color plates!) If I had to rely strictly on my recollection of the books, I would have missed most of the eight. I haven't read many of the FF in more than 50 years! Dave - I agree with those folks who say that "The Wizard of Oz" should be seen in a theatre, at least once, anyway. I saw it in NYC in 1939, shortly after it opened there, and still remember the thrill! (Though I was quite unhappy with the liberties taken with LFB's book!) Besides me, who all will be attending the Munchkin Convention this coming weekend? I expect to see Earl, Herm, the Kennedys, Nathan and David - - am I right? Anyone else? See you there. Dick ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 18:22:18 +0000 From: Scott Olsen Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-27-98 Dave wrote:"...BCF: FWIW, on the Red Dwarf List, the ECF (*Episode* of Current Focus) >gets one week to be discussed. Period. Then we move on. I'm not about >to introduce that level of rigidity.... Vote "Yes" to delay the discussion [or] a No vote means we proceed with the discussion in a week's time.." Well, I vote No. And while we're on the subject, perhaps *some* level of rigidity would be appropriate--perhaps new BCF every 3 weeks. Period. Then we move on. Just my 2 cents. Sincerely, Scott Olsen ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 15:49:15, -0500 From: NQAE93A@prodigy.com (MR ROBERT J COLLINGE) Subject: Ozzy digest >For those of us who are exasperated by the Bible-thumpers' claims of Satanism in the Oz books< Gee, I'm one of those Bible Thumpers, and I don't believe I have ever said that the Oz books are evil or satanic. In fact, I think it is good to see the contrast between good and evil, and hopefully the good will win out. Also, I cast one vote for starting the next book in one week, no delay. Bob C. ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 23:03:55 +1000 From: Terry Ingram Subject: oz memorabilia X-MSMail-Priority: Normal [This person is no ta Digest member -- Please E-mail privately... --Dave] David Hanff thought you might be able to help - I write a collectibles page for an Australian daily newspaper and I was looking to find out what exotic prices Oz or Baume memorabilia (as opposed to books) have sold for. The pivot for my article is the recent Pacific Book Auctions sale but I want to broaden it witrh mentions of the Ruby Red Slippers and other material. Can any of your digest readers help Terry Ingram Australian Financial Review ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 16:13:16 -0400 (EDT) From: Kiex@aol.com Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-27-98 Re WWoO publication date: I got the 1898 date from a list of "The Oz Books" including the famous forty plus four more IWOC-published books. I certainly put WWoO as one of the top 100 books ever written--one of the top 20, at least! Am putting my sense in! Later, Jeremy Steadman ====================================================================== Date: Tue, 28 Jul 1998 18:30:01 -0700 From: "A.E. Schaible" Subject: ozzy digest Hello everyone! I have moved from Northern California to So. Cal., and have finally gotten my internet service straightened out so I am back. Jim: I was fortunate enough to attend the PBA auction you mentioned. It was really cool to go to a professional auction and see all of the neat stuff. There were some pieces included which had not belonged to Rob (but you know that if you bid on something.) Congratulations on your purchase, whatever it was. Since you bid on it long distance were you satisfied with the item when you received it as far as it matching the description? I was able to win a bid on two watercolors of Dorothy's farmhouse. Some of the lots were a bit large and puzzling, and it was almost impossible to actually go through everything during the showing. I am afraid that is why some of the lots did not sell. All in all though, it was a great experience. Robin: Missed you terribly at Winkie's, glad to hear the docs are getting things under control! Scott: I hardly consider the library a last resort! However, as a collector trying to acquire copies of the FF, I see what you mean :) ... Hey! Anyone still have the old digest with the reviews of the Winkie Conference? I want to re-live the experience in cyber-space. If so, it would be much appreciated if you would email it/them to me at schaible@la.bigger.net, thanks! Liz Schaible ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 15:54:12 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: liz taylor in Oz (fwd) To: DaveH47@delphi.com ---------- Forwarded message ---------- Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 08:50:37 PDT From: moshe berezin To: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: liz taylor in Oz Hello Scott: This seems like a good opportunity to try out my e-mail, so I'll pass on this excerpt from todays New York Daily News (Hollywood column by Marilyn Beck and Stacy Jewel Smith): "ROLE IN NEW OZ FILM TAYLOR-MADE FOR LIZ Elizabeth Taylor is not only making a return to the screen in "The Visit" for Robert Haimi, she's also talking about starring in a feature about the Land of Oz for friend Rod Steiger. The 73-year old Oscar winner relates that his project is based on a script "a man wrote and I rewrote, about Dorothy wanting to go back to Oz when she's in her 60s.Elizabeth has written me a note saying how much she wants to do it -- and she would be perfect for it. The part calls for a childish naivete, which Elizabeth has. Now, I just want to make sure she's up to doing it." There is more in the piece about him and Taylor, but not about the Oz project. It is noteworthy to see she's still interested in Oz, 25 years after Smith's Number 13. I hope to hear from you soon. -- Marc ______________________________________________________ Get Your Private, Free Email at http://www.hotmail.com ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:12:21 -0500 (EST) From: sahutchi@iupui.edu Subject: Re: Ozzy Digest, 07-27-98 To: "Dave L. Hardenbrook" Reply-to: sahutchi@iupui.edu David: The _Braveheart_ and _CE3K_ CDs are just over 77 minutes, so I'm always puzzled as to the exact cut-off. Several reasons I have for not reading _Wonder City_: *I'm reading them in order and don't have Purple Prince *I haven't had much time, and other things I want to read, including many Baum works. *If I'm going to buy it, I want to buy it in hardcover, which is more cost-prohibitive. On my Oz books being dated: I don't think you can make a book any more dated than noting the exact date things take place. _Tip of Oz_ is based on events from October 15-18, 1991, while _Nikidik in Oz_ starts two days later and ends in 1995, and it is told out of order, so many chapters are preceded by the dates in which they occur, which are not generally arbitrary. Besides, Michael Nyman is a contemporary classical composer, so his work gets identified as classical, and the NIN album used was from 1989. Scott ====================================================================== Date: Wed, 29 Jul 1998 16:03:02 -0400 From: "J. L. Bell" Subject: listing OZ Sender: "J. L. Bell" Dave Hardenbrook mentioned a Random House Web site that lets visitors vote on the top English-language novels of the 20th century, since the Modern Library's editors left THE WIZARD OF OZ and many other beloved titles off their list. I just read that the Web-voted list was topped for a while by William Shatner's TEKWORLD, which might indicate its value. Meanwhile, Christopher Cerf, head of the Modern Library and son of Random House founder and WHAT'S MY LINE? panelist Bennett Cerf, also polled the students at the Radcliffe Publishing Course on their choices. This program typically attracts recent college graduates, mostly middle- and upper-class, more women than men--a cross-section of young publishing personnel, in other words. They *did* put THE WONDERFUL WIZARD OF OZ by "Frank L. Baum" on their list, at #47. Other books for and about young people on the RPC list include CATCHER IN THE RYE (#2), TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD (#4), LORD OF THE FLIES (#8), CHARLOTTE'S WEB (#13), WINNIE-THE-POOH (#22), and LORD OF THE RINGS (#40). Title #72 was Douglas Adams's HITCHHIKER'S GUIDE TO THE GALAXY, which might indicate *that* list's value. J. L. Bell JnoLBell@compuserve.com ====================================================================== Date: Thu, 30 Jul 98 21:23:16 (PDT) From: Dave Hardenbrook Subject: Ozzy Things NEW OZ MOVIE?: On the Internet Movie Database I found something called _The Magic Book of Oz_ (1994), written directed and produced by Bruce Carroll/Videoz. The info is very fragmentary. Does anyone know anything about it? BTW, I recently got to see the Minneapolis Children's Theatre production of _Land_ and very much enjoyed it! I wish they had performed other Oz books as well! MOTION TO DELAY _LOST PRINCESS_ DISCUSSION VOTES: Yes: 2 33% No: 4 67% 3% of precincts reporting :) I'll give everyone until 12:01 am PDT Friday to vote. TYLER: >I'll offer to head out to L.A. to see the MGM re-release. Anybody over >there interested? Also, does anybody know when it will be released? The Internet Movie Database says Christmas Day -- Can anyone confirm this? (Anyone thinking of joining us?) >When I first saw the list of Oz books in _Road_, I was stunned. I knew of >the Baum 14, since my Aunt had all of the white-back R&L's, but I was >intrigued by the exotic names. Who was The "Purple Prince", or The "Wishing >Horse", or "Captain Salt"? Where was the "Hidden Valley"? I had the same feeling seeing all those tantalizing titles (and book covers) in _The Oz Scrapbook_ when I was a kid! >I was a little disturbed at the fact that the "King" was "Lost" implying >that he would be found again, since that meant that Ozma would no longer >rule, but I had to get them all. I never worried about Ozma losing the throne ( _The Oz Scrapbook_ makes it clear that she retains it) but I *was* curious about seeing the pic of Ozma's dad and his seeming a bit long-in-the-tooth for Glinda! (When I was a kid I somehow or other got it into my head that Glinda was Ozma's mum!! I think it must have been Neill's illio in _Land_ of Ozma and Glinda kissing that did it.) -- Dave ====================================================================== -- Dave **************************************************************************** Dave Hardenbrook, DaveH47@delphi.com, http://people.delphi.com/DaveH47/ "I like to define humor as the affectionate communication of insight." -- Leo Rosten, introduction to _Oh K*A*P*L*A*N, My K*A*P*L*A*N_