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There is a HUGE problem with any film based on "The Wizard of Oz" books by Frank Baum. The 1939 film version is such a classic, so iconic, that no follow-up film could satisfy audiences. This is a huge problem with this cartoon sequel...you cannot help but compare it and it always comes up short. Now this isn't to say it's terrible...it just is a film that couldn't have been a success and I'm surprised the Filmation folks didn't consider this more.

As for Filmation and the production of the picture, it' was a VERY difficult project as the tiny studio barely had any money. As a result, it took about a decade to actually finish the movie and release it! Because of this, the voice of Dorothy provided by Liza Minelli actually sounds young because she was a teen when she voiced the character.

So is the picture any good? Well, animation-wise it's not very good. After all, Filmation was not exactly Disney or Looney Tunes! The frame-rate for the picture is low, the quality of the art is fair at best and it didn't look much better than any of their TV work, such as "Bill Cosby and the Cosby Kids".

As for the story and voice acting, it's okay...but really suffers when compared to the famous MGM film. Much of it is because adults and kids alike can enjoy "The Wizard of Oz" (1939) but this sequel is strictly kids stuff...and for very undemanding kids.

At first, I had never even heard of this film, let alone that this film was intended to be a sequel to the 1939 live-action film "The Wizard of Oz," but I think it's meant as a sequel to the original book. I've bought the movie on DVD, and after watching it, I found it an excellent sequel film, but as a sequel to the original book. I was shocked and surprised by the negative reviews I would see on the Web.

I love the talents of Paul Lynde, who played Uncle Arthur in TV's live-action comedy series "Bewitched," and Liza Minnelli, who provided the voice of Dorothy, reprising the role originally played by her mother Judy Garland. And Liza does sound a lot like her mother when she says, "You wicked old witch!" I love Judy; I have a few of her films.

This movie was great for an animation. The music in my opinion was the best overall. I liked the opening of the movie. I loved the characters in the movie, and Dorothy can sing really well. A must see for children and adults.

I first saw this film when I was about 5 or 6, and to this day I've always loved it! Just the story, the voices the songs, the animation was really cute and simple, the gorgeous backgrounds- Liza Minnelli is in the lead as the voice of 'Dorothy', the rest of the cast include, Mickey Rooney (Scarecrow), Ethel Merman (Mombi-the wicked witch of the west's cousin) Paul Lynde (Pumpkin head), and the original 'wicked witch of ther west' from the 1939 MGM classic, does a cameo as Dorothy's Aunt Em! The plot is a mesh of "Ozma Of Oz" and "The Land Of OZ" (The wizard of oz's author's, other book sequels) I've always loved this movie, it is a little cheesy mind you, (and some of the songs would be severly critisced by film critics)and are waaaay too long, but the story is a good sequel, it fits in better to the mgm version everyone knows, better than the 1985 film "return To Oz" (which i also love mind you) because it has, the same cheery backdrops, songs, and voices. This film is very rare and hardly known by anyone. In 1964, apparently Liza Minnelli PROUDLY recorded the voice for Dorothy, but then regretted doing it later on, and was embarrassed, seing as it was was designed as a crude exploit of her mother's (Judy Garland's) work!.... "It was easy" quotes Liza, "All I had to do was mimick my momma's voice!" Anyway it's an excellent film, (it should keep most children entertained--all the one i've showed it to have been anyway)so if you are a die-hard Oz-fan you should see, it (it's on video) I personally have "Journey Back To Oz" in my video collection, and it is a favourite for little cousins e.t.c!

P.S I LOVE the soundtrack score for the 'tornado' scene! It's so dramatic and awesome! you've never heard anything like it! it's really cool with heaps of differant instruments!

This movie is excellent! Liza sounds just like her mother when she did the film that it gives me chills every time! I love the new songs and the wonderful plotline which is mesh of "The Marvelous Land of Oz" and "Ozma of Oz". A fantastic sequel =)