The Dreamer of Oz

John Ritter shines as L. Frank Baum the man who would eventually write the "Wizard of Oz" series. Annette O'Toole is also a treasure in this story. I was amazed to find the chemistry from the pairing in a longer form. The two actors were featured in the same year (1990) in the TV movie version of IT. They both got to show off their acting chops in this flick. I was especially drawn in when Frank had to participate in a duel. It has touching moments in it as well and really helps develop how the story of Dorothy and her friends began with Frank's love of telling stories to his own children.

The untimely passing of John Ritter may lead to the rebroadcast and/or home video release of "The Dreamer of Oz".

I remember the scene where one of the kids hearing the story of 'The Magic Land' wanted to know what it was named. Glancing around his office he sees a filing cabinet. One drawer labeled 'A-N' and the other 'O-Z'.

Later, just before being published, he needs a book title. His wife says, whatever he chooses, it should be wonderful.

jsl151

This film deserves to available on video or DVD. As far as I know, this is one of the few versions of the life of Lionel Frank Baum, the author of the Oz series. The film, a made-for-TV film with John Ritter, treats the subject of L. Frank Baum's creating the Wizard of Oz book. The story is largely a fictionalized version of Baum's odyssey to creating the book and Baum purists (myself included) may be tempted to snort at the inclusion of issues that have been added into the mythology of the creation of the Oz books. However, this little slips are forgivable in the overall presentation of the life of a gentle man who truly loved children and whose works remain classics to this day. Baum was a complex individual whose works-- particularly the earlier ones-- were more complex than meets the eye. His themes touched on female voter issues (a hot issue in the turn of century, pre-feminist days), the ethics of creating life and the responsibility of science. This little movie does not go into these issues, nor should it have, for that matter. But, in any case, it should be available for those of us who would like to see it again.

If you've ever wondered why was Wizard of Oz written, you have to see this movie. It's a little sentimental, but it is inspiring. I'd often wondered why he named the little girl Dorothy--and here the sad story is revealed. The part where author goes to the publisher hoping he can get a little money for Christmas is worth watching for alone.

I haven't seen this in 10 years, but I remember it quite fondly. The sequences where he is visualizing the Tin Man, Scarecrow, Lion, etc are realized very well, with depth and feeling. And Baum's hard luck life was finally turned to gold after they found a publisher(after 23 attempts...)-his true life story was quite involving itself.

Strange, I remember quite clearly seeing Avery Schreiber play the artist who illustrates Baum's books and helps bring them to life-but failed to see him mentioned in the credits. Was he unbilled or was I wrong? Oh well. No biggie.

Very good show-*** outta ****