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.

Spanish Oz

You know last year I got to meet Robert and Claire Baum at the Chesterton Wizard of Oz Festival and after talking to them I realized I never had though about Oz outside of the English language. Robert told me that when they travel and especially over seas that they try to find The Wizard of Oz in that foreign language. That thought till then had never occured to me and since then I focus some of foreign language issues of books, posters, playbills, lobby cards--what ever maybe available.

E-bay is a great place for that and many times many of the items are considerably less than those in English, especially those that items that are original. Wth that said todays post is a reproduction poster of the Wizard of Oz in Spanish. This poster can be found rather easily from time to time on E-bay and rather inexpensively I might add from $7- $15 dollars and I feel well worth it. As far as an original one I have yet to see one on E-bay but then I guess anything is possible. I think personally the reproduction poster route is an expensive way to add to your collection as the originals can and usually are pricey.


Notes for the Youtube post by Woggielove: A music video of the 1990 Dic Wizard of Oz cartoon series to the song "If We Hold On Together" sung by Diana Ross from The Land Before Time.
A music video of the 1990 Dic Wizard of Oz cartoon series to the song "If We Hold On Together" sung by Diana Ross from The Land Before Time.

Look Magazine April 10, 1962

To continue with some of the items my friend Lisa from New Jersey sent me awhile back I want to talk just a little about this wonderful full magazine---It's Look and dated April 10, 1962 with Judy on the cover as well as Liza, Lorna and Joe. The heading on the cover "Judy Garland Talks About Her Life, Her Work, Her Children.


The story begins on page 100and continues tp 110 with wonderful color as well as black and white photographs. The article says it was produced by Jack Hamilton and photogrpahs were taken by Douglas Kirkland. What gives this magazine an extra bonus is the article on pages 58A-58C is an article called "A Lover of Oz" by Grant M. Hast listed as photogrpaher and no-credits given for the short story.



I will say that I did see this at the Hartville Flea Market on Memorial Day Weekend in a booth of books and magazines and the gentleman selling it had it for $5.00. So I think if your in the right place at the right time you might be able to find it as well.



Well some rather sad news here on the collecting front--my brother decided to cancell our trip to Grand Rapids for Judy Fest and while it is a downer it makes me more determined than ever to save my money and try to go next year.



Of course this month for me is all about Judy--with Judy being born June 10, 1922 and than Judy dying June 22, 1969. This also marks 40 years since she passed away and I want to write something very special about Judy for here and try to make this whole month one that you my readers will remember and hopefully cherish.



I want to encourage you if you want to shre some of your thoughts about Judy--her career, her life, her impact on your life please feel free to contact me at CharlieDale9966@aol.com and with your permission of course I would than share it here, with notes crediting you.


Written by oosterlynckgeertje(in regards to the youtube video)

The novelty of Judy Garland: Live at the London Palladium is the spectacle of the great entertainer sharing the stage with her up-and-coming daughter. In November 1964 Liza Minnelli was not yet 20 and not yet a Broadway success. She looks it: the coltish, appealingly gawky girl is still pretty raw (at one point after a costume change she yanks off her earrings just before launching into a song), and Garland seems alternately proud of and bemused by her. The video is pretty raw, too, a rough black-and-white affair that can best be described as serviceable in quality.

However, fans of this brand of showbiz razzmatazz will be satisfied with the duets between the women (especially trading verses on a medley of "Happy Days Are Here Again" and "Get Happy"). Judy opens the show with the reliable chest sweller "Once in a Lifetime" (no relation to the Talking Heads tune) and delivers a tutorial in song dynamics with "The Man That Got Away." She appears rather shrunken and tired but still comes on like a trouper, fending off the audience's constant heckling for "Over the Rainbow" (as though she might forget it?) before finally handing the song back to them as a touching sing-along.

This was Garland's last appearance at the Palladium. It's also a passing of the torch to Liza, who would later become the kind of polished dynamo embodied by her mother, more than capable of holding down her own one-woman shows.

Comic Books

Well the first one I want to show and talk about is Book 6 by Shanower and Young for Marvel Comics. This is part of the first series of comic books "The Wonderful Wizard Of Oz". There is a second printing/variant cover as well that is out now as well, but over all the illustrations are just incredible and the story is the one based on the book not the 1939 movie. The series gives this whole new visual look that happens to be very cool at the same time, to a familiar tale and at $3.99 each these are a very affordable addition to any collection. The variant issue so far have only two issues out--the cover is the only difference to the comic book.

The second comic book is "The Oz Wonderland Chronicles: Jack and Cat Tales" by Jack Avery and Casey Heying with pictures by Caesar Antomattei, Casey Heying and Oak. It is Publlished by Buy Me Toys.Com and the cover is of issue one of a series.With incredible odern graphics and a more modern twist on the story of Oz this comic book may not be every one's cup of tea. The graphics are very well done and very colorful and like I said a very modern twist on even the characters themselves. Again this one is also $3.99 and the series right now is not informing us how many issues.

The third one for this post is also by Eric Shanower "The Secret Island of Oz" published by First Graphic Novel. This book is written and illustrated by Eric and is very similar in style to John R. O'Neill's illustrations/style and was first published in 1986. The illustrations are just breath taking while uniquely being Eric's and the stories are new, imaginative, creative and very enjoyable. Some of the very best new Oz work available in my opinion. In many ways I wish Eric would right longer stories and maybe something geared more towards adults, but this series of books is very worth investing in. At $8.95 originally most of the time I find them priced at $18.00. They can be a little hard to find but again worth your time and effort.

I also wanted to take the time and apologize for not posting sooner this month, but I have my elderly grandmother staying with us since Saturday and will be here till Friday or Saturday of this week. Time is a little limited as she has not been all that well but I have been sharing with her Judy Movies many of which believe it or not she HAS NEVER SEEN before and at 81 I find that so hard to believe. Her visit has gone well it does however take up a lot of time for the extras that I am use to doing everyday--like this blog.
Well gang until next time, keep me in your thoughts.

Judy Garland live at the Greek Theatre Los Angeles September 13, 1965