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'''''The Wonderful 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.

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.

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.

==The books==

==The books==

'''''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''''' began in 1900 as a children's book written by L. Frank Baum and illustrated by W. W. Denslow. This was part of his effort to create a body of American literature in the fairy tale genre. It was a great success and Baum followed it with thirteen more books set in the land of Oz. He was never able to recapture the success of his original work. Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series with nineteen more stories, and other authors wrote additional books. The Land of Oz was one of the earliest of what fantasy fans now call "fictional universes." Like the Sherlock Holmes stories it has attracted a large number of devoted fans, who like to discuss and write about the land of Oz as if it actually existed.

'''''The Wonderful Wizard of Oz''''' appeared in 1900 as a children's book written by L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) and illustrated by W. W. Denslow (1856-1915). This was part of their effort to create a body of American literature in the fairy tale genre; they had already collaborated on Father Goose books. The Wizard was a great success and Baum followed it with thirteen more books set in the land of Oz. He lost Denslow as an illustrator and was never able to recapture the success of his original work. After Baum died  Ruth Plumly Thompson continued the series with nineteen more stories, and other authors wrote additional books. The Land of Oz was one of the earliest of what fantasy fans now call "fictional universes." Like the Sherlock Holmes stories it has attracted a large number of devoted fans, who like to discuss and write about the land of Oz as if it actually existed.

The classic 17th century Christian allegory ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' inspired some of the characters and dangers described in the Wizard of Oz.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-08-31&view=View</ref>

The classic 17th century Christian allegory ''[[Pilgrim's Progress]]'' inspired some of the characters and dangers described in the Wizard of Oz.<ref>http://www.amerisearch.net/index.php?date=2004-08-31&view=View</ref>

==The film adaptation==

==The film adaptation==

* President McKinley was often called a "wizard" for his political skills. The Wizard of Oz seems to be the president of the Land of Oz. The "man behind the curtain" echoes the response  to automated store window displays.  

* President McKinley was often called a "wizard" for his political skills. The Wizard of Oz seems to be the president of the Land of Oz. The "man behind the curtain" echoes the response  to automated store window displays.  

* Dogs were often used in political cartoons to represent politicians or parties.  Perhaps "Toto" is a play on the word "teetotaler", and represents the Prohibitionists of the era, who were aligned with [[William Jennings Bryan|Bryan]] in the 1896 election.

* Dogs were often used in political cartoons to represent politicians or parties.  Perhaps "Toto" is a play on the word "teetotaler", and represents the Prohibitionists of the era, who were aligned with [[William Jennings Bryan|Bryan]] in the 1896 election.

==Adaptations==

==Adaptations==