Having grown up on the 1939 movie, literally every Christmas, it’s easy to forget that it was based upon a fairly lengthy series of children’s books by Frank L Baum. The first book, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz, was first published on May 17, 1900 and was illustrated by W. W. Denslow, a long time collaborator of Baum.
Having finally gotten around to reading the original books in recent years, I thought it might be fun to celebrate by comparing a couple of images from the original book to the same scene from the 1939 movie.
Dorothy in the tornado
Okay, honestly those are nothing alike but I couldn’t get past poor Toto’s ear so I had to include them.
the munchkins & Glinda
There is a part of me that prefers the pointed hat instead of the crown on Glinda.
Dorothy, Scarecrow & Tinman
This one is probably the closest to the book. And yet so very different too.
meeting the Lion
The Lion crying because Dorothy bopped him on the nose. Classic moment.
Emerald City parade
I can’t get over the Lion’s glasses. I don’t know why they’re there in the book but they needed the glasses in the movie, too. They are just oddly perfect.
meeting The Wizard
The casting of the main four usually gets all the attention but looking at this book panel I realize just how well they cast The Wizard.
I’m suddenly feeling the urge to reread the first book though. Or I could just watch the movie.