Mary Louise book

This wonderful book I found on E-bay and actually the seller had three others for sale with this one so I will have four posts about these wonderful books. The four books were $90. and the only illustration is the one posted here.

The "Bluebird Books" is a series of novels popular with teenage girls in the 1910s and 1920s. The series was begun by L. Frank Baum using his Edith Van Dyne pseudonym, then continued by at least three others, all using the same pseudonym. Baum wrote the first four books in the series, possibly with help from his son, Harry Neal Baum, on the third.

The books are concerned with adolescent girl detectives— a concept Baum had experimented with earlier, in "The Daring Twins" (1911) and "Phoebe Daring "(1912). The "Bluebird series" began with Mary Louise, originally written as a tribute to Baum's favorite sister, Mary Louise Baum Brewster. Baum's publisher, Reilly & Britton, rejected that manuscript, apparently judging the heroine too independent. Baum wrote a new version of the book; the original manuscript is lost.

The title character is Mary Louise Burrows. In the first books of the series, she is a fifteen-year-old girl with unusual maturity (though the other girls in her boarding school find her somewhat priggish). She is suddenly confronted with the fact that her beloved grandfather is suspected of no less a crime than treason against the United States. With the help of old and new friends of Mary Louise … the truth is uncovered. The novel features a federal agent named John O'Gorman; he is assisted by his daughter Josie, a young woman he has himself trained to function as an investigator. (The Josie O'Gorman character, despite preceding Nancy Drew by more than a decade, is much less traditionally feminine.

Fred Stone piece

I really believe that are times you have to be in the right at the right time and that the planets align and you come across a remarkable piece. That has happened for me after 2 years of Ebay watching I came across the only signed 8 x10 photograph of Fred Stone. Of course those who are die hard Oz fans will recgnize his name immediately as that of the first person to play the scarecrow.

There has been only one other Fred Stone signed piece that I am aware of with a Ray Bolger autogrpah as well that are "cuts" and the seller wants $1,200 for both with 8x 10's of both that is matted and framed. I really lucked out on this buy as I only paid $40. Again the right place, the right time and then having the money to buy.

1873–1959), comic actor. Born in Valmont, Colorado, he was raised in Topeka and, with his brother, joined a circus as an acrobat for several years. While a member of Haverly's minstrels he met Dave [David Craig] MONTGOMERY (1870–1917) , a native of St. Joseph, Missouri. When the minstrel troupe was disbanded, the pair went into vaudeville as grotesquely made up acrobatic clowns. Their first Broadway appearance was in "The Girl from Up There" (1901).

Subsequently they starred in "The Wizard of Oz" (1903), "The Red Mill" (1906), "The Old Town" (1910), "The Lady of the Slipper" (1912), and "Chin Chin" (1914). By the time of Montgomery's death they were indisputably America's most popular musical comedy team.

On his own, Stone appeared in "Jack o' Lantern (1917), "Tip Top" (1920), "Stepping Stones" (1923), "Criss Cross" (1926), "Ripples" (1930), and "Smiling Faces" (1932). All but the last two were huge hits. Later he appeared with only small success in a number of straight plays. Whether alone or with Montgomery, much of Stone's humor came from his comic acrobatics. His wife, Allene Crater, and daughter Dorothy were also popular performers.

Rare Larry Semon item

Every now and again you run across what I tend to think is the rare item. Many times you really have to search and many times you come up empty handed but every now and then your daily searching really pays off in a big way.

E-bay can be such a wonderful source for finding items and especially those items you do not see every day and with a world wide market place of buying and selling there is no telling what somebody can find.

Larry Semon was a prolific director of Silent movies as well as an actor in them. His career as a director lasted from 1915-1928 and included the 1925 Silent Movie version of the "Wizard Of Oz". Larry worked with Stan Laurel and Oliver Hardy in the years before they were a joint act.

Larry's father was Zera the Great, a professional magician. Semon came to filming after working as a cartoonist for the New York Sun. Hired by Vitagraph as a writer and director of comedy shorts, he began staffing his one and two reelers by 1917. Playing a pasty-faced, baggy pants idiot, he gained an international reputation and at his peak rivaled the popularity of Charlie Chaplin and Harold Lloyd.

His films frequently co-starred Oliver Hardy (as the heavy) and starlets Lucille Carlisle and Dorothy Dwan, each of whom Semon married. Due to his constant disregard for strict production budgets, Vitagraph fired Semon in 1922. He went on to make a few big-budget, feature-length films, but they were relatively unsuccessful.

In 1927, he tried to revitalize his flagging career by playing a serious part in Von Sternberg's drama "Underworld", but was again unsuccessful. Larry Semon died in March the following year after suffering from pneumonia.

The photograph is an original film studio gelatin photograph from around the late 1910's to possibly early 1920's. The photographer's name is in the left lower area of the photo and is marked WITZEL LA. The photograph measures about 5 x 7 and has the original border margins. This was the only time I have seen to this date an autograph photograph of Larry Semon and being the die-hard Wizard Of Oz fan that I am I had to have it---- $123.00 later I am very proud to say it hangs in my Oz room along with a reproduction poster of Larry as the Scarecrow in Oz.

Fred Stone book

Many of you may recognize the name Fred Stone as being the first person to play the Scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz during the 1902-1903 productions that included Broadway.

The book is "Rolling Stone" written by Fred himself. It was written in 1945 and the book I have is the second printing, it was published by Whittlesey House a division of McGraw-Hill Book Company. It is 246 pages in length and is basically the story of Fred's life up to that point.

It covers his starting working in the circus as an acrobat with his brother and than unto tightrope walking. the book talks only a little about Oz in all reality but does cover how he met Dave Montgomery his partner in Oz who played the Scarecrow. It also covers some of the other things Fred learned how to do rope tricks and his involvement with the Wild Bill Cowboy Shows, working with Annie Oakley, learning to ice skate and involving that into his act. Learning to fly an airplane and working that into his stage act as well.

The thing I think I enjoyed most was his talk about his rather private life, including his daughters and wife. I do wish however more photographs of Fred were included. I would recommend this book for anyone wanting to learn more about Fred and his amazing life. I found my book on E-bay and for under $15.

Some brand new artwork

Well I posted this in my artblog some time back and thought I should post this here as well--since I get more hits here .

This is painted in Acrylic's and measures 18 x 24 and is professionally sealed. All it needs is a fram for it and your ready to go.

This is for sale now at $60 which does not include shipping and will be if not sold before than available at The Chesterton, Indiana Wizard of Oz Festival.

I could neverget tired painting Judy!

In 1968, One of her last TV appaearnces, Judy made a guest spot on this classic and unforgettable talk show, featured with her is her Easter Parade Co-Star Peter Lawford, see Judy sing Over The Rainbow probably for the last time on US Television! she looked great and sounded great! atleast to me anyway

18 years I am still here

Well many of you who read this blog may not beware but tomorrow is my 18th anniversary of finding out I had AIDS, it still seems all this time later just like yesterday. It is still that vivid in my mind, it forever changed everything some for the good some for the bad.

As many of you know the last year or so has been one filled with many problems for me health wise and in so many ways and so many different times it really gets me depressed beyond words.

So many things have happened in the time frame, some that turned my world inside out and upside down. Things were and have been never the same. Somehow through it all I have pulled through, some dings and dents along the way but survived.

What some may not realize is how much Oz has played the last two years and how much of a factor it plays in my happiness. It keeps me sane, focused and busy and alwys learning. I just want to figure out how to transfer that into something else, something bigger, better, worth while, that makes a difference. I just need to figure out how!

Well if my doctor is right I have at last another 18 to figure out.

Some more new books

Well it seems here lately that books have been a little easier to find for some reason and for that I am thankful.

The first is "The Wizard of Oz" By L. Frank Baum by Puffin Classics, illustrated by David Mc Kee, published by the Penguin Group in 1994, cover illustration by Trevor Scobie. This little book is a paperback edition and originally sold for $4.99 while I happened to find it in a discount second hand book store for $1.50. The story is the same classic story we all know and we all love while the illustrations frankly are that of coloring book quality but somehow still rather fresh and creative. Not a bad buy for what I paid and nice addition to a growing collection of books---maybe I should start an Oz library (LOL).

The second is also "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, retold by William Fursetenberg with illustrations by WW. Denslow This version is 48 pages in length which would make for great bedtime reading for the kiddies. The "White Edition" style illustrations with hints of green through out this is a wonderful tribute to the original book. Again I found this at our new local Second Hand book store "Our Novel Idea" which can be found online at http://ournovelidea.yolasite.com/ I do not remember honestly what I paid for this one but I know it wasn't much. The book was put out by Weekly Reader Books in Middletown, Connecticut in 1984 with the cover designand text are by Jose Pacheo-Silva

While the third and last book for today's post is "The Wizard of Oz" by L. Frank Baum, adapted and abridged by Mary Cushing and Dorthea Williams, illustratedby Claudine Nankivel. This book was published by Gosset & Dunlap Publishers of New York and was printed in 1971. The book contains beautifully drawn black and white as well as color illustrations through out and is 61 pages in length making this a good book for your elementary school reader. All In all the story is the same as from before with some minor adjustments.

Some computer problems

I have been having some computer problems here lately, it started out rather minor and it just seems to be getting worse half of the time I can't get at my pictures for this blog and that is the reason here lately for the random posting. I have to get some money saved and either get this piece of 2 year old shit fixed or buy a new one. Can't live without this thing and frankly the month of June this blog saw more posts than most months in the past.

For me talking about Oz and Judy could become a full time thing if I had fairly decent computer capabiliteis and at the time the local guy with the local computer comapny said "This was the best one available--well it kids it has been the worst.

Anyway, I am waiting to hear if I have been accepted at Kent State University, the Stark County Campus, I also found out for right now that I am eligible for $5,400 in free money form the government that I do not have to pay back. Have yet to really decide what I am going to take but I am excited, nervous and really looking forward to this new chapter in my life.

New item--- another book

The first is a new book into the series of books I have. I would really to love to hear from those of you who are into the books like I am. Anyway this one was found at an antique store not all that far from where I live and for me it was unique in a few ways.

The first being that it is a "Little Golden Book" which I very fondly remember the series of books I had when I was little none of which were Oz but were a part of my childhood which I do fondly remember. "The Tin Woodman of Oz" was adapted by Peter Archer from the L. Frank Baum book of the same name and illustrations--which I will say are quite wonderful--- are by Harry Mc Naught. It was published by Simon and Schuster of New York in 1952 and with the original sale sticker in tact on the inside cover. The price was then twenty-five cents, I paid around $20.00 for it. The story is twenty-six pages in length and like I said includes beautiful illustrations on every page. It is the same story of Tinman and Scarecrow running the giant Mrs. Yoop and then being turned into a tin owl and a stuffed teddy bear, only to be saved by Glinda.

What made me buy this book was the cover illustration of the Tinman SMOKING a pipe! I had until this point not seen any of the Oz characters do any thing like this and thought it such a novelty and oddity that I HAD to have it.

Well the Fourth of July was not one of its best by a long shot but it was quiet and after the week before I needed the break. The down side was my little dog Toto ( a 3 year old female Shi Itzu if your new to the blog) got a hold of one of my sewing needles and darn near swallowed it. it did however get stuck under her tongue a rush to a 24-7-365 Animal Hospital and a $350 fee later they got it out and she is back to normal like nothing ever happened in the first place. Me being the "loving daddy" and over emotional was beside myself the entire time.

I want to go back to posting some YouTube clips of what I feel will let you into my head and heart emotionally speaking so.....

Some inner thoughts

That early morning stillness

When the world still seems at slumber,

Things have not begun to unfold

Is the time of day I can sense

My own being, my own aliveness.

I turn in my bed one final time

Before my eyes flutter open

Thankful that I have this time

To reflect, renew and recharge.

Those first early morning steps

I am unsure of as traces of sleep

Fall away and my day begins a new.

What is in store for me,

What will I be able to acheive, to finish?

Will I take the time

To tune out what some call

The vast insanity,

Become one with myself, my core

My universe, my being.

Or will I become overcome

With all the craziness

that can overpower, overwhelm us

The next thing I know my day

Is over, lost to it all

Swallowed by a gulf

That took it all away.

If only my entire time left

Could be as those first

Few morning hours--

Vibrant, fresh, new

Full of hope, renewal.

I ask thee then t give me

The insight, the drive

to make that alive in me.

Dorothy Dwann

Well as you can imagine, I was rather quite excited when I saw this beautiful photograph online on E-bay of Dorothy Dwan. It seems like our gal Dorothy gets lost somehow in the heritage and history that is the "Wizard of Oz".


Dorothy played the role of Dorothy in "Wizard of Oz" which her husband directed in 1925. This of course was a Slient Movie shot in Black and white and from what I have learned Frank J. Baum (L. Frank Baum's son) was involved helping in the movie process.


Anyhow the card on the front of the photograph I won is a copy of the back of the same photo and it is stamped June 10, 1926, Larry Semon Productions 780 Gower St. Hollywood CA.


Then typed and glued to the back it says "Well boys, there is not much left to call your own! The girls in Hollywood have adopted the style of wearing pajamas for sleeping wear, claiming they are more comfortable then their own garments. Dorothy Dwan, Mrs. Larry Semon, is one of the advocates of silken pajamas and gol darn it, she does look cute in them".



DOROTHY DWAN
AKA: Molly Mills

Born: 1906-04-26
Birth place: Sedalia, Missouri
Death: 1981-03-17
Death cause: lung cancer
Profession: actor, realtor, nurse

Family
FATHER: Melvin Illgenfritz.
MOTHER: Nancy Wallace.
SON: Paul Boggs. Born on November 22, 1931.

Companion
HUSBAND: Larry Semon. Actor, director, screenwriter. Married from January 25, 1925 until his death on October 8, 1928.

HUSBAND: Paul Northcutt Boggs Jr. Oil executive. Married on May 23, 1930; divorced on December 3, 1935.

HUSBAND: Fred Buckels. Divorced.


Complete Filmography: (Total: 28)
Cast (Feature Film):

1. The Fighting Legion (1930) as Molly Williams
2. The Peacock Fan (1929) as Peggy Kendall
3. The California Mail (1929) as Molly Butler
4. The Drifter (1929) as Ruth Martin
5. Obey Your Husband (1928) as Joyce Kennedy
6. Riders of the Dark (1928) as Molly Graham
7. Square Crooks (1928) as Jane Brown
8. Out With the Tide (1928) as Joan Renshaw
9. Silver Valley (1927) as Sheila Blaine
10. Tumbling River (1927) as Edna Barton
11. The Land Before Law (1927) as Ginger O'Hara
12. Spuds (1927) as Madelon
13. The Princess on Broadway (1927) as Rose Ryan
14. Hills of Kentucky (1927) as Janet
15. Mc Fadden's Flat (1927) as Edith Halloran
16. The Great Canyon of Light (1926) as Concha Deane
17. The Great K&A Train Robbery (1926) as Madge Cullen
18. Perils of the Coast Guard (1926) as Natalie
19. Stop, Look, and Listen (1926) as Dorothy
20. The Call of theKlondike (1926) as Violet Kenney
21. The Dangerous Dude (1926) as Janet Jordan
22. A Captains Courage (1926) as Actor
23. The Perfect Clown (1925) as The Girl
24. The Wizard of Oz (1925) as Dorothy-- SILENT Movie
25. Bashful Buccaneer (1925) as Nancy Lee
26. The Breed of the Border (1924) as Ethel Slocum
27. Sinners in Sillk (1924) as Rita
28. The Silent Vow (1922) as Ethel

Another book Review

Well as of today I finally finished reading "A Star Is Bor: The Making Of The 1954 Movie And Its Restoration" by Ronald Haver. The book was published by Alfred A. Knopf Inc. of New York and was done in 1988.

At 284 pages in length even I found this VERY difficult to read. It is LOADED with facts, so many in actuality you are overwhelmed with facts. Facts about the original "What Price Hollywood", connections to other films, the entire workings of Cinemascope, Judy Garland-James Mason- the extras, the scenes- Sid Luft fact after fact after fact page after page of it.

While very detailed it for me was simply to much to try to absorb and read--I did however finish die-hard Judy fan that I am. That is who I would recommend this book for--DIE HARD Judy fans. I do want to thank Lisa from NJ as this was also in the box she sent me a few months back now.

A Great movie if you have not seen it, a overwhelming book. I would stick to the movie.

My Darling, How I miss You

Words can not begin to desribe
What I feel today as I think about you.
How many lives you have touched
How many accomplishments
You achieved in Forty-seven short years.
Hundreds of songs, scores of movies
Slews of concerts and personal appearances.
You walked quietly into my life
Turned it on end
It will never be the same
For that I am thankful
There is not one minute
Of one single day
Where you are not in
My thoughts somehow.
How you enrich my life,
Bring it purpose and meaning
To some degree I think
Watching over me.
My very own personal
Guardian Angel.

Judy, darling- I miss not
Having known you or
Having meet you.
I miss having not seen in you
Live in concert.
Judy, dearest- I wish you
Were still here.
But most of all
Judy, with all my heart
With all my soul
With everything I am
I need you to know
How very much
And not just today
But eternally
I adore you.

40 years tomorrow

Well somehow 40 years have seemed to pas since Judy Garland was found dead in her London home by Mickey Deans. Instead rambling on about what lead to it I just want to share photogrpahs of the newspaper my friend Lisa found for me in New Jersey. As one can imagine when I opened that box that day and saw this I just sat there and cried.

Another book added

I have said it before and I should probably say it agin but for me the biggest love affair I have with Oz and Judy Garland happens to be the books--everything else is a VERY close second. There is something to be said about opening the cover and being taken to a place and time I have never been, getting lost in that world even if it is just temporary and forgetting the madness that can be life.

This book was part of that huge box that arrived some time ago from my friend Lisa in New Jersey--once again I have to give it up to my girl for treating me so nicely. "The Judy Garland Show: Rainbow's End" was written by Coyne Steven Sanders, published by William Morrow and Company, Inc. in New York and was released in 1990. At 404 pages in length "Rainbow's End" is a beautifully written account of the events that made teh Judy Garland Show happen. The book breaks each show down all twenty-six of them, with the events, the guest stars and all the inner workings of that show.

Coyne treats Judy in this book with love and respect and presents what I feel maybe both sides of the same "story". There may have been problems with Judy but eveything is explained and left I felt for you to come up with your own conclusions.

There are slews of black and white photographs in the book nearly all of which are from the television show and some of which I have never seen. This book is for you if you happen to be a fan of Judy's and even more so if you want to learn more about the show.

"One Being Gay"

Since Gay Pride is fastly approaching I wanted to take the time and share some thoughts with all of you.....

"On Being Gay"

I knew I was different very early on

I didn't know know for a long time

That there was a name for it.

I just knew how I felt deep inside

I knew who I was attracted to

I knew what occupied my dreams.

Then the names came--

GAY, QUEER, FAGGOT

NELIIE, HOMO, SODOMITE, FAG

When would it all end

The cruelty and hatred from others.

My own inner struggles

To accept whoI was

Was bad enough.

It takes time to be comfortable

In my own identity

And to grow from there.

I became active, I became vocal

I became political, I grew strong

I became hopefully a role model for others.

Over twenty years have passed

Since I came out---

I regret nothing!

Books from the Flea Market

Well gang the Hartville Flea Market once again has proven if circumstances are right you can find some really cool Oz things. Many times though it nothing Oz as far as the eye can see than all of sudden its every where which I will never complain about.

This go around on Thursday was books, which many of you may or may not know is one of my most favorite part of collecting Oz ......

Book 1 is "The Wizard Of Oz: To Read Aloud" by Wonder Books of New York it is the original story by L. Frank Baum and was adapted and abridged by Oscar Weigle and illustrated by Robert Patterson. The book was written in 1963. The illustrations are all black and white but beautifully drawn and are about one every other page and is a paper back book.

Book 2 is "The Wizard Of Oz"--again the original L. Frank Baum story--- by Companion

Library Grosset & Dunlap Publishers of New York with illustrations by Anna Marie Magagna. This edition was printed in 1944 and is actually a two story book with the flip side being "The Jungle Book" by Rudyard Kipling and illustrated by Earl Mayan.

Both parts of the book are black and white illustrations beautifully done. I will of course sit down and Read "The Jungle Book" as I never have read it before. So looking forward to that quiet time and escaping in to that new world of adventure.

Book 3 is "The Wizard of Oz" the original L. Frank Baum story this time illustrated by Paul Grangere and published by TAB Boks, Inc. of New York and published in 1958. Black and white illustrations through out and drawn very well. This is a paper back book as well.

What makes this trio of books so unique at least for me was that the dealer who had them sold all three for only $15.00, which of course made my day. Like I said every now and then being in the right place at the right time can be fruitful--Good luck with your Oz

hunting and hopefully I have been helpful and encouraging you on your treasure hunt.

87 years ago today......

It all began just as simply as any other birth that happens

But because of circumstances this was no ordinary birth.

At first an unexpected pregnancy

That the mother at one point wanted

Terminated when such a thing was illegal.

But when that face was first seen the father

Fell in love with "Baby".

It would be almost two and half years

Before the gift this "Baby" posessed was heard.

That voice of song changed everything,

Vaudeville wasn't far behind, singing

At Papa's Theatre, traveling the road with Mama.

Finally discovered and signed to MGM

while still in your teens,

the movies came very fast one after another.

Each one showcasing "Baby's" voice

some small roles but one that left you immortal.

Sleeping pills, multiple marriages, breakdowns,

being released by MGM in your twenties,

and a string of financial problems could not keep "Baby" down.

Your fans adore you, they needed you

As much as you needed them.

So today on your 87th birthday I want to say

You made me love you and I always will

Happy Birthday Judy Garland

Judy 'Live' at The London Palladium April / May 1951

Reproduction Autograph

I have been looking at autographed photographs of some of the cast of the 1939 Wizard of Oz and many times prices exceed what I am willing to spend at the time and honestly for the longest time I "looked down my nose" at reproduction autographs until I realized the only one who will know that they are is me.

Prices can be VERY affordable and with that said one could gather quite an impressive set of the same star if they wanted to. So until the right time comes along and the right autographed photograph comes along I am happy to say for now I have some reproductions.

With that said this one in particular I have been looking at his for a long time and usually prices go way high for originals. Burt Lahr for me as the Cowardly Lion has been the character i most identify with until John Fricke came along slapped me upside my head (not literally of course) and said Charlie you have so much courage its unreal--I guess that makes John my personal Wizard Of Oz for pointing that out.

Born Irving Lahrheim in New York City , Lahr is best remembered today for his role as the Cowardly Lion and the Kansas farm worker Zeke in the classic 1939 movie The Wizard Of Oz, but known during his life for a career in burlesque, vaudeville and Broadway.

Lahr grew up in the Yorkville section of Manhattan. Dropping out of school at the age of fifteen to join a juvenile vaudeville act, Lahr worked his way up to top billing on the Columbia Burlesque Circuit. In 1927 he debuted on Broadway in Harry Delmar's Revels. Lahr played to packed houses, performing classic routines such as "The Song of the Woodman" (which he later reprised in the film Merry-Go-Round of 1938). Lahr had his first major success in a stage musical playing the prize fighter hero of Hold Everything! (1928-29). Several other musicals followed, notably Flying High (1930), Florenz Ziegfeld's Hot-Cha! (1932), The Show Is On (1936), and in DuBarry Was a Lady (1939)

Career

Lahr made his feature film debut in 1931's Flying High, playing the part of the oddball aviator he had previously played on stage. He signed with New York-based Educational Pictures for a series of two-reel comedies. When that series ended, he came back to Hollywood to work in feature films. Aside from The Wizard of Oz (1939), his movie career was limited. In the 1944 patriotic film Meet The People , Lahr uttered the phrase "Heavens to Murgatroyd !" which was later popularized by cartoon character Snagglepuss,

Lahr's movie career never caught on because his gestures and reactions were too broad. His later life was troubled, although he made the transition to straight theatre. He costarred in a much-praised version of Waiting for Godot in 1956. Among other Broadway roles, Lahr played Queen Victoria in a sketch from the musical Two on the Aisle . He also performed as Moonface Martin in a television version of Anything Goes.

Later life
Lahr occasionally appeared on television, including NBC's live version of the Cole Porter musical Let's Face It (1954) and an appearance as the mystery guest on What's My Line? He also performed in commercials, including a memorable series for Lay's Potato Chips during its long-running "Betcha can't eat just one" campaign with Lahr as "Aunt Tillie".
"Laughter is never too far away from tears," he reflected on his comedy. "You will cry at a peddler much easier than you would cry at a woman dressed in ermine who had just lost her whole family."

In 1967, Lahr died of pneumonia in New York City in the middle of filming The Night They Raided Minsky's, forcing producers to use a double in several scenes. Fittingly, this last role was as a burlesque comic. Lahr is buried at Union Field Cemetery in Ridgewood, Queens.

His son, New Yorker theater critic John Lahr, wrote a biography of his father's life titled Notes on a Cowardly Lion.

Cadco Board Game

Well every now and then a wonderful surprise happens and you never see it coming; We had friends over last week for dinner and one of their little "hostess gifts" if you will was this wonderful Cadco "The Wizard Of Oz" game.

The game was made by Cadco in 1974 in Chicago and has copyright with Metro-Goldwyn Mayer. The box says 2-4 players ages 4-10. I'm not sure if all the pieces are here--there are the four playing pieces, the spinner, four cards and then two small circles with crowns on them-- and not aware of any other history behind this game as I didn't even now this game existed till our dinner, so if you are reading this and have it I would love the information. It is so nice having something though that I could have played with--if my parents had only bought for me then (smile).

Youtube information provided by MrClassicAds:

1980 Classic cereal commercial using characters from the Wizard of Oz.