The Dreamer of Oz (1990)
The film is the biography of Frank Baum, the children's book author and creator of the fantasy world Oz.
Watch Trailer
Cast
Reviews
This sentimentalized biography of Oz creator L. Frank Baum (1856-1919) stars John Ritter in the title role. Richard Matheson's teleplay accurately depicts Baum as a business failure with the singular gift of being able to communicate with children. In keeping with Matheson's grounding in fantasy and the supernatural, Baum's characters occasionally come to life to palaver with the author and bring him inspiration. Annette O'Toole co-stars as Mrs. Baum, while Charles Haid is seen in the dual role of "Badham" and the Cowardly Lion. Also on hand as a Munchkin is Jerry Maren, who played one of the Lollipop Guild in the 1939 Hollywood adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. Made for television, Dreamer of Oz: The L. Frank Baum Story debuted December 10, 1990.If interested in a DVD copy of this film email sojourn (at) frodelius (dot) com
The untimely passing of John Ritter may lead to the rebroadcast and/or home video release of "The Dreamer of Oz".I remember the scene where one of the kids hearing the story of 'The Magic Land' wanted to know what it was named. Glancing around his office he sees a filing cabinet. One drawer labeled 'A-N' and the other 'O-Z'.Later, just before being published, he needs a book title. His wife says, whatever he chooses, it should be wonderful.jsl151
I loved this movie. I cried so hard at it, very touching. Even though the truth was stretched highly, it still is a great movie. I really wish they would release this to Video/DVD. It upsets me that they will not. I still have my old VHS version from when i taped it when it was first released on TV. Hopefully we will see a real release sometime in the near future.
Probably the only complaint I have about it is that I can't find it at any video stores!This was such a great movie! Like "The Wizard of Oz", it began and ended in Black and White. John Ritter did a good job and so did Annette O'Toole, which also did a great job on "Smallville"Dorothy was cute, too. What's the actress that played her been doing lately?