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Line 1: − + − Dorothy, the Wizard, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, flying monkeys, Munchkins, the yellow brick road, the dream city of Oz, Toto--and especially the Wicked Witch--have become icons of American popular culture. They appear regularly in editorial cartoons and the funny papers and even in everyday conversation.+ − + + + Line 18:
Line 20: − The '''Wizard of Oz''' is the title character of the American fantasy tales by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919), of which the most famous is the first (with W..W. Denslow (1856-1915)<ref> see Michael Patrick Hearn, "The Man Behind the Man Behind Oz: W. W. Denslow at 150," ''AIGA'' (July 05, 2006) at [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-man-behind-the-man-behind-oz-w-w-denslow-at-150]</ref> as illustrator), ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.'' The book was a runaway best seller, though the two coauthors became alienated, and both went bankrupt. Baum recouped by moving to Hollywood and writing a new series of Oz books; the series was continued after his death in 1919, with 40 Oz books in all. The first book became a smash Chicago hit musical in 1902 and moved to Broadway in 1903. Best known is the unusually successful Hollywood movie adaptation of 1939, starring Frank Morgan as the Wizard and [[Judy Garland]] as Dorothy. Political cartoonists used the Wizard image as early as 1906; in recent years Wizard themes appear in editorial cartoons on a weekly basis in the U.S. −
tweaks
'''''The Wizard of Oz''''' is a the title of a very popular children's book (1900, and many sequels), a leading Broadway musical for adults (1902), and a popular movie for fans of all ages (1939). There have been many film and dramatic spinoffs, as well as books, trinkets and toys based on the Wizard and the other memorable characters.
'''''The Wizard of Oz''''' is a the title of a very popular children's book (1900, and many sequels), a leading Broadway musical for adults (1902), and a popular movie for fans of all ages (1939). There have been many film and dramatic spinoffs, as well as books, trinkets and toys based on the Wizard and the other memorable characters.
The author was L. Frank Baum (1856-1919); the illustrator of the 1900 book and 1902 play was editorial W. W. Denslow (1856-1915).<ref> see Michael Patrick Hearn, "The Man Behind the Man Behind Oz: W. W. Denslow at 150," ''AIGA'' (July 05, 2006) at [http://www.aiga.org/content.cfm/the-man-behind-the-man-behind-oz-w-w-denslow-at-150]</ref> The book was a runaway best seller, though the two coauthors became alienated, and both went bankrupt. Baum recouped by moving to Hollywood and writing a new series of Oz books; the series was continued after his death in 1919, with 40 Oz books in all. The first book became a smash Chicago hit musical in 1902 and moved to Broadway in 1903. Best known is the unusually successful Hollywood movie adaptation of 1939, starring Frank Morgan as the Wizard and [[Judy Garland]] as Dorothy.
Academics, especially economists and historians, use the story to study the images of politics and economics in the U.S. in the 1890s. Several hundred college level economics courses feature a unit on the Wizard of Oz, to analyze money policy.
Dorothy, the Wizard, the Scarecrow, Tin Man, Cowardly Lion, flying monkeys, Munchkins, the yellow brick road, the dream city of Oz, Toto--and especially the Wicked Witch--have become icons of American popular culture. They appear regularly in editorial cartoons and the funny papers and even in everyday conversation. Political cartoonists used the Wizard image as early as 1906; in recent years Wizard themes appear in editorial cartoons on a weekly basis in the U.S.
Academics, especially economists and historians, use the story to study the images of politics and economics in the U.S. in the 1890s. Several hundred college level economics courses feature a unit on the Wizard of Oz to analyze money policy.
[[Image:OZ-TITLE.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Children read ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' as a fairy tale, but Baum and Denslow were using modern images that editorial cartoonists currently used to portray American politics.]]
[[Image:OZ-TITLE.JPG|thumb|250px|right|Children read ''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz'' as a fairy tale, but Baum and Denslow were using modern images that editorial cartoonists currently used to portray American politics.]]
The plot of both the book and movie revolve around a little girl named Dorothy who, along with her dog Toto, finds herself transported into a world called Oz. Along the way, she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Often considered a classic of children's literature, ''The Wizard of Oz'' deals with friendship, courage, and resourcefulness.
The plot of both the book and movie revolve around a little girl named Dorothy who, along with her dog Toto, finds herself transported into a world called Oz. Along the way, she befriends the Scarecrow, the Tinman, and the Cowardly Lion. Often considered a classic of children's literature, ''The Wizard of Oz'' deals with friendship, courage, and resourcefulness.
==Political interpretations==
==Political interpretations==
Historians and economists have interpreted the 1900 book (as well as the 1902 play and 1939 movie) as an allegory of the political, economic and social upheavals of America of the 1890s.
Historians and economists have interpreted the 1900 book (as well as the 1902 play and 1939 movie) as an allegory of the political, economic and social upheavals of America of the 1890s.