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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

‘Wizard of Oz’ series available on DVD

Nancy Churnin The Dallas Morning News

Whether you love “The Wizard of Oz” or the Japanese anime style, you’re in for a treat with the 1987 “Wizard of Oz” animated series now available on DVD.

Each of the four 90-minute films — “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz,” “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” “Ozma of Oz” and “The Emerald City of Oz” — brings a book in L. Frank Baum’s tales to life.

The films, hand-drawn in Japan, are more true to the books than the magical musical version starring Judy Garland.

Actually, these nonmusical films, originally broadcast on HBO, inhabit a different world from the original movie. The animated “Wizard” includes details left out or changed in the film, such as the cap that allows Dorothy to call the winged monkeys, and a different ending which is not a dream.

The first movie, like the first book, is the best. But fans who want to see how the saga continues can check out “The Marvelous Land of Oz,” where a boy named Tip escapes an evil witch with the aid of Jack Pumpkinhead and the Sawhorse.

Tip and his friends help Dorothy, the Scarecrow and the good witch, Glinda, find the rightful ruler of Oz. Then Dorothy joins the fight against the evil Nome King in Ozma of Oz and The Emerald City of Oz.

Margot Kidder brings gentle gravity to the narration, while Morgan Hallet voices Dorothy with high-pitched wonder.

Cost is $26.92 for the four-DVD set, or $9.97 for each title.